Comparing the two pics (from the auction and from IOs collection circa 2006), it is unquestionably the same sign.  Agree with Mars, an experienced seller liquidating part or all of their collection would not do so in such a haphazard way.  If not come here first, you would think at least cross post to his E-Bay auctions here.  And certainly not "throw in extras" with the sign.

I suspect, especially with IO not being active anywhere for what appears to be a couple of years, that this may unfortunately be an estate situation.

Pipswich wrote:Third, the lettering is sitting on top of clear paint loss indicating the letters were applied long after the sign was weathered.

Hey all, I wanted to chime in here and give my expert opinions on this sign. At least in regards to the above statement.

First, let me say that I'm the new guy here. I've been playing D&D since 1982 but only considered myself a 'collector' in the last month or so. I have no idea if this sign is legit or it's origins in regards to being an authentic TSR piece, but I can give you some information on the sign itself.

I've been in the printing industry since I got out of High School in 1989, I now own and run my own business, and in my day I have designs, put up, replaced and recreated hundreds, possibly thousands of signs.

As far as the lettering being solid black on top of the paint wear looking sign, that is perfectly normal for a sign of this type. Let me explain.

This sign would have been created in the 80's using this technique. They would have taken wood and painted it white. Once the paint dried, they would apply vinyl lettering (with an adhesive back) on top of the white painted sign.

Vinyl lettering like this would have a 1-3 year life expectancy back then. Now adays I can get 7-10 year vinyl, but back then it was cheaper. In any case, let's assume this sign was put up in 1980 (I am just giving a random date here, it has nothing to do with when this sign was really put up if it is real).

A year or two after it was put up, the lettering would be bubbling, peeling and falling off. Depending on where it was (direct sunlight) what weather conditions it had hitting it, etc.

This sign would have had it's lettering replaced probably a few times, and each time the lettering would be peeled off, new white paint would have been applied and dried, and then new black vinyl lettering would have been put on top again.

Depending on when this sign came down, it is entirely possible and likely, that the white paint under the black lettering was worn down (as shown in the photos here). With new black lettering on top.

Especially if it was taken down from it's outside location and brought indoors and displayed in the collection (as the photos here show). Inside vinyl can last for decades in a controlled environment with no sun, wind, cold weather, rain, etc.

So in my opinion, this sign looks much like hundreds of other signs I have seen before that were constructed this way, and is probably one that was really outside for years being weathered. I doubt someone would make a sign, put it outside and weather it for years, hoping to make a big score on it in the future.

So with that all being said, the story I am reading here still doesn't make sense. The person selling it on ebay claimed to have gotten it 4 years ago on ebay from Lake Geneva. However, this same sign is shown in photos less than 3 years old from the owner in Florida who at that time said it was still in his possession. So unfortunately someone is lying about this sign for one reason or another.

My thoughts on this are as follows:
1) The ebay seller is lying and has no sign at all, or will ship a fake one.
2) The ebay seller is telling the truth and the person who had it shown in their collection less than 3 years ago was either lying about how recent the photos were (which seems unlikely).

So it is a very strange situation to be in as the buyer of this sign.

I did read that there were TWO signs, however, the sign in the current ebay auction IS THE SAME SIGN from the photos in that collection from 3 years ago. There is no way the exact same wood grain and paint wear would be present on both signs. If there is a second one, then it is NOT this one (or the ebay selling is using photos of the 'better' condition one and intends to ship the second sign that is not the same as shown in the photos).

I am curious to see how this comes out, but skeptical about the ebay seller's account being new with low feedback and a sketchy story, unwilling to answer questions directly.

I hope I have been of some help and not added to the situation in a negative way, I was hoping to clear up the concerns about the lettering not being worn away. It would not wear away the same as the white paint underneath it and this sign looks legit, and in my opinion spent years outside somewhere pointing the way.

D.

Short of a photo of the sign in place in Wisconson, your practical explanation of how this came to be is remarkable and is easing my concerns.  As I have spoken with the the seller today and resolved the date discrepancy with a plausible (and private) explanation I am feeling more comfortable with this and starting to feel the shock and joy I felt when I saw it listed with a BIN to begin with.  This sign was one of the items that I though was perfect for my game room and never expected to get to bid on or to own.  Further, IO is a well respected collector imo and unlikely to have bought a fake from an unreliable source.  

PM me with your address for a present from me!  Also, my offer stands of a nice present for photos of the sign in situation.

However, does anyone remember this item on ebay four or five years ago?  Or, would this have been a private sale, purchase by IO?

Why would it cost $200.00 to ship it?

Mars wrote:Here's a link to when the sign was on Ebay:

viewtopic.php?p=7095&highlight=tsr+sign#7095

I'm guessing you missed this post.  The sign was originally purchased from Ebay and it was briefly discussed here back then too.

Has anyone bothered to try and get in contact with Mike, either here or through his known Ebay ID?

One thing that should also be noted is that Mike's collection was not entirely his own IIRC.  He had a few friends that were involved in it with him, as I can remember him talking about it from time to time, since their initial goal was to start sort of a D&D museum in Florida.

bclarkie wrote:Has anyone bothered to try and get in contact with Mike, either here or through his known Ebay ID?

One thing that should also be noted is that Mike's collection was not entirely his own IIRC.  He had a few friends that were involved in it with him, as I can remember him talking about it from time to time, since their initial goal was to start sort of a D&D museum in Florida.

Then is follows that this person may be one of those friends selling his "share" or the specific items that were "his".. tough times and all that...

Brette:)

.............
Never mind, I missed the 2nd page of the thread

I don't know, I've mailed some big stuff before and really underquoted on the shipping... How large is the sign and how heavy is it? I am assuming it needs to go by some sort of freight service, not a standard shipping service.

If I was within a few hundred miles and I was the buyer, I'd go pick it up. I used to live in Florida too, but now I'm in the middle of nowhere. A nice change from Florida actually, it has been snowing here for the last 2 days.

D.