Anyone seen anything like this Ruth piece?

[wazir of wham]

I picked up this piece a couple of years ago on ebay. The size is 18"x24" and looks to be an in-house sales campaign for William Oil-0-Matic Company.
The date is March 27, 1930.

[LOUCARDFAN]

Never seen this before but it's a really cool item.

[Snapolit1]

Indeed. Very cool.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by wazir of wham

I picked up this piece a couple of years ago on ebay. The size is 18"x24" and looks to be an in-house sales campaign for William Oil-0-Matic Company.
The date is March 27, 1930.

Seen quite a few Ruth items but don't remember that one. Always nice to see something we haven't seen before.

[doug.goodman]

Add me to the chorus of "cool"

[wazir of wham]

Thanks fella's for the feedback. I contacted the McLean County Museum of History in Bloomington. During my research I found that they had a couple of boxes of Williams Oil-O-Matic items in their archives. They got back to me in a couple of days letting me know that they had no items resembling the Ruth piece!! Maybe good news for me!! I am thinking it's probably a pretty rare item. It has a special spot in my Memorabilia Room!!!

Thinking about having it conserved, any thoughts??

Thanks again!! Rich

[Leon]

A good paper conservator can guide you as well as some folks on our forum. I have never had anything conserved but my Horner Composite was, in a minimalist fashion, before I acquired it. I think it enhanced it and it's value. If I ever sell it there will be full transparency. Conserving paper ephemera is a bit different than cards and not frowned on as much.

Originally Posted by wazir of wham

Thanks fella's for the feedback. I contacted the McLean County Museum of History in Bloomington. During my research I found that they had a couple of boxes of Williams Oil-O-Matic items in their archives. They got back to me in a couple of days letting me know that they had no items resembling the Ruth piece!! Maybe good news for me!! I am thinking it's probably a pretty rare item. It has a special spot in my Memorabilia Room!!!

Thinking about having it conserved, any thoughts??

Thanks again!! Rich

[Exhibitman]

Go for it. The item is already showing acid burns and probably has even more damage under the mat. A cleaning, de-acidification and linen mounting will make it look much better and add lifespan to it as well. I'd personally not retouch it, but I like the character some wear brings to a piece like that. Last time I did something like that was several years ago and it ran me $250 for the cleaning/de-acidification/linen mounting.

Of course, you'll have to reframe with conservation quality materials, which will add to the cost.