Brass numbers salesman sample display board, marked 'The Slaymaker Lock Co. - Lancaster, Pa., U.S.A.' (not authenticated)

This rectangular display board features a collection of ten individual solid cast brass numbers, from one through zero, mounted to a dark brown painted or stained wooden backing board. At the very top, block lettering reads 'SOLID CAST BRASS' enclosed between two horizontal yellow lines. At the bottom, a yellow-bordered text block reads 'The Slaymaker Lock Co. - Lancaster, Pa., U.S.A.'. Each numeric digit is affixed to the wooden board using small protruding pins or rivets. The brass characters exhibit a varying degree of natural aging, including oxidation, tarnish, and verdigris build-up particularly within the recessed areas and contours of the numerals. The dark wooden backing shows surface scuffs, wear, and minor edge chipping consistent with age and handling. The piece appears to be a vintage hardware store or salesman sample display board likely dating from the early to mid-20th century. The attribution rests entirely on the legible printed manufacturer text at the base of the board and the visual style of the cast brass numerals, though the item itself remains unauthenticated.

Based on what I can see in the photograph, this architectural display board features ten solid cast brass numerals mounted to a dark wooden backing, with printed text bearing the name 'The Slaymaker Lock Co. - Lancaster, Pa., U.S.A.' at the base. The brass elements exhibit natural aging, oxidation, and tarnish, while the wooden board shows surface scuffs and edge wear consistent with early to mid-20th-century utility items. I cannot verify from a photo whether the printed text and brass digits are period-correct or if the piece is a later reproduction or decorative replica. Physical inspection would be needed to confirm the metallurgical composition of the numbers, the construction methods of the backing board, and the age of the pigments and inks used on the signage. Assuming the attribution is correct and the piece dates to the period indicated by the markings, comparable vintage hardware salesman sample display boards typically trade in the $350 to $600 range among collectors of architectural antiques and industrial hardware. If the item were to be determined a modern reproduction, copy, or decorative fantasy piece rather than a period salesman sample, the value would decrease significantly, likely falling into the $75 to $150 range. To establish a more precise valuation and confirm authenticity, an in-person examination by a qualified expert in vintage hardware and manufacturer advertising displays, along with potential research into historical Slaymaker catalogs, would be required.