Vintage Packard Automotive Cable Spool

This is a vintage industrial cardboard spool containing automotive electrical wiring produced by the United Motors Service Division in Oshawa, Ontario. The spool features a bold blue, gold, and yellow circular label with the prominent 'Packard' script logo at the top. Technical specifications printed on the face identify it as Trade No. 53C, Gauge Size 14, and note a total length of 100 feet. The cable is designated for 'Starting, Ignition, Lighting' applications, marketed as 'The Standard Wiring Equipment of the Automotive Industry'. Physically, the spool is constructed from heavy-duty pressed cardboard with a central spindle hole. The condition shows significant signs of age and utility; there is visible edge wear, scuffing, and minor delamination of the cardboard edges. Surface staining and a light patina are present on the label, which is common for mid-20th-century automotive shop supplies. The typeface and branding suggest a manufacturing period likely between the 1940s and 1960s. Despite the surface wear, the graphics remain legible and vibrant, making it a desirable piece of automobilia for collectors of vintage garage equipment and Packard brand history.

Based on my visual examination of this Packard Automotive Cable spool, I find it to be a genuine mid-century industrial artifact produced by the United Motors Service Division. The graphic design, specifically the tri-color palette and the 'Packard' script, aligns perfectly with 1940s-1950s branding. The condition is consistent with an 'as-found' garage item; while the cardboard exhibits delamination and edge scuffing, the central lithograph remains largely intact with vibrant colors, which is critical for value in the automobilia market. Market demand for Packard-branded items is steady, though a cardboard spool typically commands less than porcelain or tin signage. Comparative sales of similar industrial spools from Delco or Packard range between $50 and $100 depending on the amount of wire remaining and label clarity. This specific Trade No. 53C spool is a mid-tier collectible. The value is buoyed by its Canadian provenance (Oshawa, Ontario), which adds a layer of regional rarity. However, the physical wear to the spindle hole and edges prevents it from reaching the top-tier $150+ price point. Limitations: This appraisal is based on photographic evidence only. A physical inspection would be required to verify the internal core integrity and confirm if the wire is original or a later replacement. Scientific testing of the adhesive and cardboard fibers or provenance documentation from the original garage would be necessary to certify it as a 100% authentic period piece for high-end museum placement.