Name/Title
Trade SignEntry/Object ID
2014.60.1235Description
Rectangular wooden trade sign. The front of the sign is painted white with black images of a long-haired horse, an axe head, a hatchet head, and a horseshoe. The inscription, "S. ALDRICH." is painted across the bottom. There are remnants of three leather straps along the top of the sign. The reverse is marked in pencil, "Blacksmith sign of Sylvenus Aldrich (Farth) Leonard F. Aldrich / from OJ Dodge".Context
Used to the mark the blacksmith shop of Sylvanus Aldrich in Barre, Vermont, from 1830 to 1850.Acquisition
Accession
2014.60Source or Donor
Barre Historical Society, Inc.Acquisition Method
TransferMade/Created
Date made
1830 - 1840Place
City
Barre CityCounty
Washington CountyState/Province
VermontCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Sign, TradeNomenclature Primary Object Term
Sign, AdvertisingNomenclature Class
Advertising MediaNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsDimensions
Dimension Description
OverallHeight
15 inWidth
41-1/4 inDepth
3/4 inRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Aldrich, Sylvanus (1779-1850)Interpretative Labels
Label
The painted-wood sign for the Blacksmith Shop of Sylvanus Aldrich uses symbols, such as a horseshoe and anvil, to indicate the services provided. Such symbolism was common in eighteenth and nineteenth century signs to overcome language and literacy barriers. Aldrich ran a successful business in Barre, VT, from 1800 until his death in 1850. His shop featured the first trip-hammer, a mechanical iron-working hammer, in Vermont. Aldrich's family became distinguished citizens with the Aldrich Library named after son Leonard.