Antique enamel sign "National Telephone Service"
Antique Enamel Sign
Antique enamel sign "National Telephone Service" made by Hancock Corfield Ltd of London & Mitcham.
I believe the National Telephone Service was part of the National Telephone Company 1881 to 1911 after which it was taken over by the Post Office. I suggest this would date the sign to within that 30 year period.
Double sided 48 cm x 48 cm approx.
Damage as per images.
When I bought this sign a few years ago, the central damage on each side had been painted in a futile attempt to hide it or make it less obvious. It seems that before painting they used a grinder to remove surface rust, hence the scored surface.
The paint has been carefully removed and the sign given a light clean to remove surface dirt.
I have found it difficult to capture the true colour of the bell, which is more of a Royal Blue as indicated in images 4 & 6.