The Slaymaker Lock Co. Brass Number Display Board (not authenticated)

This appears to be a vintage hardware store display board featuring cast brass numbers one through zero. The board is constructed of a dark brown composition material, likely masonite or heavy-duty compressed wood, with a printed border and lettering. At the top, bold cream-colored text reads "SOLID CAST BRASS" enclosed within a thin double-line border. At the bottom, a strip reads "The Slaymaker Lock Co. - LANCASTER, PA., U.S.A." in matching cream lettering. Ten individual three-dimensional brass numbers (1 through 0) are affixed to the center of the board using small brads or pins. The brass elements display a natural warm golden patina with localized oxidation, verdigris, and surface tarnishing consistent with age and environmental exposure. The backing board shows minor surface scuffs, edge wear, and slight fading along the margins. A small wire hanger is attached to the top edge for wall display. The identification rests entirely on the legible printed company name and the clear physical characteristics typical of mid-20th-century hardware store counter or wall displays. The item remains unauthenticated and is evaluated solely on visual evidence.

Based on what I can see in the provided image, this piece presents as a vintage hardware store display board bearing lettering and branding for The Slaymaker Lock Co. of Lancaster, PA. It features ten cast brass numbers affixed to a dark composition backing board. I cannot verify from a photo alone the exact age of the materials, the metallurgical composition of the brass elements, or whether the board and numbers are a factory-original assembly from the mid-20th century rather than a later decorative composite. The estimated value range of $150 to $250 assumes the attribution to the Slaymaker Lock Co. is correct and that the display represents period-appropriate hardware store advertising. Vintage hardware displays, particularly those featuring solid brass components with a natural golden patina and localized verdigris, enjoy steady demand among collectors of industrial advertising and store fixtures. However, market values for advertising displays are highly condition-sensitive; minor surface scuffs and edge wear are typical, but alterations or mismatched components can impact desirability. To fully evaluate and confirm the nature of this item, I would need physical inspection to examine the fasteners, backing material, and printing techniques closely. If physical inspection reveals this piece to be a modern reproduction, replica, or decorative copy rather than a period display, the value would decrease significantly, typically falling into the $30 to $50 range. An in-person examination by a specialized appraiser familiar with vintage advertising and hardware memorabilia would be necessary to further assess the piece.