London Transport Enamel Sign - any details?

[4COR]

Mod note: Post moved from Buses and Coaches section


I have been having a bit of a loft clearout......

In there, I found the attached enamel London Transport sign. I've no real idea how I came to own it, but I think it's from an old bus of some sort. Does anyone have any info as to what it's likely from?

Cheers

 

[Bertone]

I have been having a bit of a loft clearout......

In there, I found the attached enamel London Transport sign. I've no real idea how I came to own it, but I think it's from an old bus of some sort. Does anyone have any info as to what it's likely from?

Cheers View attachment 108470

Interesting- What size is it?

 

[4COR]

Interesting- What size is it?

It's about 7 1/2" by 2 1/4". About a 1/16th thick or so...

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Looks like a vintage mid 20th century enamel London Transport wall advertising sign.

Assuming it's not a reproduction, in good condition, it could be quite collectable and so might possibly be worth a few hundred pounds based on what similar examples have gone for.

Believe the width of the item is something like 19cm (7.5 inches) and the height 5.5cm (2.25 inches).

 

[4COR]

Looks like a vintage mid 20th century enamel wall advertising sign.

Assuming it's not a reproduction, in good condition, it could be quite collectable and so might possibly be worth a few hundred pounds.

Believe the width of the item is something like 19cm (7.5 inches) and the height 5.5cm (2.25 inches).

Super - many thanks. Condition is pretty good (there is a small ding to the bottom right, which shows a little rust), and the odd small chip on the edges, but otherwise not bad. Size sounds about spot on.

Interesting on value - I still have no idea where it came from...!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Here's another similar one that's now been sold..

(Link to dealer's website...)

London Transport Logo Enamel Wall Advertising Sign

1 Rare Small Vintage Old Mid 20th Century London Transport Logo Enamel Wall Advertising Sign.

www.antiques-atlas.com

Yours looks to be in slightly better condition!

 

[Roger1973]

Think it's more likely to be a radiator badge from a (Leyland) RTL or RTW (or possibly post-war STD or TD) bus (one in LT Museum collection gives dimensions, one in London Bus Museum collection still has the rest of the bus attached) - enamel signs I've seen from notice boards etc tend to be a rectangle.

I'm not convinced by that (non specialist) seller's description, and descriptions on certain online auction sites can be very inaccurate...

 

[cav1975]

Probably from the radiator of a London Transport RTL bus.

IAN'S BUS STOP: The LONDON TRANSPORT RTLs

Leyland RTL buses of London Transport: Drawings, Photos, Fleet History, Photo Index

www.countrybus.org

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Now concur with @Roger1973 and @cav1975. The distinctive shape is perhaps the clue. The London Transport museum website (see link below), that @Roger1973 referenced upthread in post #7, suggests the date of these radiator badges as being c. 1955.

"London Transport" radiator badge with roundel, in vitreous enamel, from an RTL- or RTW-type bus, c1955 | London Transport Museum

radiator badge

www.ltmuseum.co.uk

 

[4COR]

Thanks all - nice bit of transport history then

 

[busesrusuk]

Thanks all - nice bit of transport history then

here you go - its the badge on the radiator of teh Leyland variant of the RT, the RTL.

Preserved RTL554 Sept 20

Aston Rowant, Showbus 2020 flyby. Sept 2020

www.flickr.com

HTIOI

 

[Roger1973]

suggests the date of these radiator badges as being c. 1955.

Possibly a bit earlier - the RTLs were all delivered by 1954 (and the TD and STDs earlier still) - although LT may have made / got more later, to replace any that got damaged or lost.

I believe reproductions may have been made in more recent years (there were certainly reproduction of the AEC 'blue triangle' made) for enthusiasts / preservationists, although the one in the OP looks like it has seen genuine use.