Active collectors are the first to realize a bargain-priced sign is “too good to be true.” In the 1980s, hundreds of embossed tin signs—some copies and some “fantasies”—were made and sold to gift shops and restaurants as part of a decorating fad. Recently, breweriana collectors in three clubs realized enameled metal signs for Capitol Pale Lager Beer were offered on eBay in March, April, and May. Identical signs with different minor damage. Descriptions said they were “used” and had “chips, rust, and scratches to the finish.” All were sold by an Indiana seller and brought strong prices—one $721, another $511, and the third over $234 before the bidding stopped. Signs for two other brands, Esslinger’s and Texas Pride, were being sold by sellers in Indiana, South Carolina, Seattle and, surprisingly, Maharashtra, India. All had slight damage. One seller claimed his sign was “old and vintage.” Another emailed that “it’s original, 1940s.” One of the fakes sold for $1,250.

Members of the American Breweriana Assoc. (ABA), the Eastern Coast Breweriana Assoc. (ECBA) and the National Assoc. of Breweriana Advertising (NABA) beer clubs discovered these signs and are joining together to get information to collectors. An article in The Breweriana Collector magazine was what tipped us off, but the author doesn’t want to be named. He wants to warn collectors.

Clues include: 1) too many of the same signs from the same dealers in a few months, 2) no manufacturers’ marks on the signs, 3) the unlikely idea that a seller from India had a sign from Philadelphia, and 4) a low starting price and no reserve when an original sign could be worth four figures. Email one of the clubs or Kovels (Editor@Kovels.com) about any other suspicious signs.