Wildroot Appraisal

Vintage Wildroot 'Barber Shop Ask For' Porcelain Enamel Sign

This is a vintage Wildroot 'Barber Shop Ask For' advertising sign, crafted from porcelain enamel over metal. The sign is rectangular with rounded corners and features a clean, off-white background with a dark blue border. The text prominently displays 'BARBER SHOP' in dark blue, capital, sans-serif lettering at the top. Below, in smaller dark blue letters, it reads 'ASK FOR'. The most striking element is 'WILDROOT' in large, bold, red capital letters, spanning the lower half of the sign's main text area. To the right of the text, there is an illustration of a classic barber pole, depicted in red, white, and dark blue stripes, topped with a white spherical finial. The sign exhibits a glossy finish characteristic of high-quality porcelain enamel. Visible condition issues include some minor scuffs, scratches, and slight enamel loss around the edges and mounting holes, consistent with age and use. There are also a few areas where the underlying metal might be peeking through the enamel, indicating some wear and tear. The sign appears to be in overall good vintage condition, retaining its vibrant colors and legibility. The construction suggests it was designed for outdoor use or prominent display, reflecting the durability of porcelain enamel. Its style and font choices are indicative of mid-20th century Americana advertising signage, likely from the 1940s to 1960s, a period when Wildroot Cream-Oil was a popular hair grooming product. The raised, embossed quality of the letters and the barber pole graphic suggest a well-made, durable advertising piece, designed to attract attention and last for decades.