John Deere Advertising Appraisal

Vintage John Deere 'Quality Farm Equipment' Metal Sign

This is a vintage John Deere advertising sign, shaped in the distinctive elongated oval or 'keystone' design characteristic of their branding. The sign features the iconic John Deere colors: a vibrant yellow background on the left side with vertical text, and a deep green background on the right, also with vertical text. The yellow side clearly reads 'QUALITY FARM EQUIPMENT', with each word stacked. The green side displays 'JOHN DEERE' stacked, and prominently features the signature leaping stag (deer) logo in yellow, positioned above the 'DEERE' text. The entire sign is outlined with a thin yellow border. The material appears to be a painted or enameled metal, likely tin or steel, given the slight reflectivity and the type of cracking visible. There are visible signs of wear consistent with age and use. Specifically, there is a prominent vertical crack or crease running down the yellow section near the top-left corner, and what appears to be minor surface scratches and scuffs across both the yellow and green fields. The gloss finish suggests either an enamel paint or a clear coat layer. The edges show some minor chipping of the paint, revealing what might be the underlying metal. This piece likely dates from the mid-20th century, given the style of the logo and common manufacturing techniques for such signs during that period. The craftsmanship appears to be industrial standard for advertising signage of its era, intended for durability and outdoor display.