Description:
Painted Wood and Wrought Iron "J. GARDNER'S INN" Sign, Hancock, Massachusetts, c. 1820, large oval double-sided sign with applied wooden molding ornamented with original wrought iron arrow finial and scrolls, painted spreadwing eagle above gilt lettering, (weathered surface),overall ht. 50, wd. 36 3/4 in.
Literature: According to Gardner History and Genealogy, by Lillian May and Charles Morris Gardner, published in 1907, Caleb Gardner purchased 100 acres of land in Hancock, Massachusetts in 1767 and afterward built a barn and a house on the property. The house became the first hotel in Hancock, which Caleb operated as "Caleb B. Gardner's Inn" from about 1790 until his death in 1806. Thereafter, Caleb's son John operated the inn as "J. Gardner's Inn" until about 1840.
Estimate $5,000-7,000
Two age cracks across panel, scattered surface marrings.