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RARE AND HISTORIC. Please read the entire description and view the many detailed photos. For the true Santa Fe railroadiana super collector who has everything, this is being offered on the market for the first time. From Chicagos aged and landmark DEARBORN STATION is this authentic and original, doubled-glass paned, painted DEPARTURE GATE SIGN for SANTA FES TRAIN NUMBER 21, THE EL CAPITAN. These types of signs were at each track gate (such as the one shown in the B&W example photo) and the relic offered here only played second fiddle to The Super Chief.This incredible artifact was retrieved in pieces from a salvage dumpster beside the station during one of its many partial guttings in the early 70s. The individual who preserved it (a young man at that time) had it safely stored and undisturbed in his home with a sizable model train collection for more than four decades. It awaited a restoration/stabilization effort that never came. Only in his passing would he ever part with it.The sign measures 12 inches by just under 24 inches and (except for the breaks) is substantially intact, missing only a small portion of corner at the upper right. The white pane is actually white glass that is painted blue, red and yellow. The clear portion is reverse painted in red and black with the Santa Fe insignia and train name. Everything has an obvious look of age to it with a bit of color transfer and dust ghosting evident. It has not been cleaned or restored in any way. The sign was photographed here carefully mocked-up in a frame with only two bulbs behind it. The effect of the two panes overlaying each other and lit from behind is brilliantly colorful, glowing and nearly 3-D in appearance.For those who might be inclined to balk at the price point or bemoan the condition of this piece, one might consider the miraculous fact that it still exists AT ALL. Rare mimbreno dining car china and silver plate flatware pieces were produced by the thousands and (though also very scarce finds) there are many name-train tail car drumheads out there. It is likely that only one of these signs was made and YOURE LOOKING AT IT. In all my many inquires, I have never seen one of the other signs, though they surely did exist. This item simply has no peer in Santa Fe memorabilia collecting.The technology that is now available now to restore and stabilize this sign (and do so CORRECTLY) did not exist when it was unceremoniously discarded all those years ago. May the new owner find those means. This probably belongs in a museum.
This item will arrive as you see it (impeccably and safely packaged and fully insured) and the shipping quote reflects this. Any overages in shipping will be promptly refunded through PayPal. Read my feedback and buy/bid with confidence. Thanks for looking.
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Category: Collectibles:Transportation:Railroadiana and Trains:Signs and Plaques
Location: Eureka, Illinois