
Description
This is nothing short of an incredible vintage find! Authentic & exceedingly rare, this vintage drugstore pharmacy sign hails from Chicago, Illinois, and was hand painted for use in the early to mid-1950's. During that time, Norwell Drug Company was situated at the intersection of North Avenue & Wells Street (hence the name Nor-Well Drug Company)€” 172 North Avenue, to be exact. It was at this address that this exact reverse painted glass sign hung right outside their store.
Reverse painted signs, though a rare practice, were highly sought after in early & mid-century America. In order to display the words and logos properly, the backside of these glass signs have to have the words mapped out backwards. The backwards letters, logos, & images are then painstakingly painted by hand before drying for use.
€”DIMENSIONS€”
Length: 25.5-inches
Width: 0.25-inches
Height: 15-inches
Condition: Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; This item is in fair condition, with wear that is commensurate with its age. As seen in the listing photos, the paint on this sign has incurred a significant amount of wear over the years, which has resulted in parts of the paint fading. The glass sign itself is in good condition; there are some areas of glass that are chipped around the perimeter of the glass, but overall, it's still solidly structurally intact. The lettering on the sign is still very much visible & it can certainly be displayed in its current condition. As with all vintage and antique items, be sure to examine all of the listing photos carefully before purchasing.
Dimensions:
Height: 15 in.
Width: 25.5 in.
Depth: 0.25 in.
Category: Signs
Origin: United States
Materials: Glass, Paint
Shipping: Domestic: Flat-rate of$19.00 to anywhere within the contiguous U.S. International: No International Shipping for this auction. Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding. Location: This item ships from Worth, IL
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
Reverse painted signs, though a rare practice, were highly sought after in early & mid-century America. In order to display the words and logos properly, the backside of these glass signs have to have the words mapped out backwards. The backwards letters, logos, & images are then painstakingly painted by hand before drying for use.
€”DIMENSIONS€”
Condition: Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; This item is in fair condition, with wear that is commensurate with its age. As seen in the listing photos, the paint on this sign has incurred a significant amount of wear over the years, which has resulted in parts of the paint fading. The glass sign itself is in good condition; there are some areas of glass that are chipped around the perimeter of the glass, but overall, it's still solidly structurally intact. The lettering on the sign is still very much visible & it can certainly be displayed in its current condition. As with all vintage and antique items, be sure to examine all of the listing photos carefully before purchasing.
Dimensions:
Height: 15 in.
Width: 25.5 in.
Depth: 0.25 in.
Category: Signs
Origin: United States
Materials: Glass, Paint
Shipping:
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
Condition
Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; This item is in fair condition, with wear that is commensurate with its age. As seen in the listing photos, the paint on this sign has incurred a significant amount of wear over the years, which has resulted in parts of the paint fading. The glass sign itself is in good condition; there are some areas of glass that are chipped around the perimeter of the glass, but overall, it's still solidly structurally intact. The lettering on the sign is still very much visible & it can certainly be displayed in its current condition. As with all vintage and antique items, be sure to examine all of the listing photos carefully before purchasing.
Buyer's Premium
20%
Vintage 1950's Drug Pharmacy Reverse Painted Glass Advertisement Sign for Norwell Drug Co.
Estimate $600-$1,800
Starting Price
$300
1 bidder is watching this item
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Jan 28, 2026 8:00 PM ESTNew York, NY, United States
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