Hydraulic-Press Brick Co. safety sign

Object/Artifact

National Building Arts Center

Front of HPB safety sign

Front view of a matte, beige, paper sign with black lettering of differing size and font, with holes on each corner where staples used to be

Name/Title

Hydraulic-Press Brick Co. safety sign

Description

A medium-sized matte, beige, paper sign with black lettering of differing size and font, with holes on each corner where staples used to be. The sign denotes the company it serves, the Hydraulic-Press Brick Co., and to "Please Be Careful" with "Clay Products" and that "Railroad Handling is Very Important."

Use

This sign was likely used in tandem with other similar signage to be placed around Hydraulic-Press Brick Co. workspaces to ensure safety for HPB's workers and/or their products.

Collection

Promotional object displays

Made/Created

Time Period

20th Century

Notes

The sign lists a few of HPB's division locations, but Davenport is larger and more bolded than the other locations, which gives the impression that this sign belonged to the Davenport division (but this likely cannot be verified). The Davenport division of HPB's locations did not exist until 1913, when HPB opened a branch office in the Putnam Building. Thus, this sign was likely made sometime around 1913.

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Sign, Instructional

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Sign

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Visual Communication Devices

Nomenclature Class

Visual Communication T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 06: Tools & Equipment for Communication

Search Terms

paper

Dimensions

Height

22.7 cm

Width

25 cm

Parts

Count

Parts

Sign

Material

Paper

Color

Tan, Black

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Condition Type

Rust, Missing Areas / Holes

Date Examined

Jul 22, 2026

Examined By

Elena Marshall

Surface

Surface is in overall good condition, with some dirt/staining, and with four holes, one on each corner, with some rust residue, where staples used to be.

Research Notes

Research Type

Researcher

Person

Elena Marshall

Date

Jul 22, 2026

Web Links and URLs

Facebook post discussing the history of the Davenport division of the Hydraulic-Press Brick Co.

Notes

(See Made/Created)

Create Date

July 22, 2026

Update Date

July 22, 2026