Display Sign made for T.G.I.Friday's Decor
Wiss Shears Stay Sharp
Dependable Hardware: Tools, Cutlery
James Russell, Saugerties, N.Y.
This reproduction metal sign was used as part of the decor for T.G.I.Friday's, an American restaurant chain focusing on casual dining. These are probably from the early 1980s. At least three of them below have embossed letters. They all measure 23-1/2" × 12".
1
This is the sign that I bought in August 2007. This is when I first began regularly following Wiss on eBay. This sign was the first I saw. I paid a premium: $56.98 + $30 shipping.
2
Then this came along a couple weeks later. It was never used. It was stashed away for 25 years due to the fellow liking its good content along with bold colors. So I decided I'd buy another and would give my first away to a family member. The seller charged $10.00 for shipping and handling, not including insurance. He did not put it in a box. He simply wrapped it up. You can see the way it arrived in the second picture. I returned it.
3
February 2008. The sign was appearing often enough on eBay that this is when I decided I would save all that pass through.
4
Passed through eBay in March 2008.
5
Passed through eBay in March 2008. One of the best.
6
Passed through eBay in May 2008.
7
Passed through eBay in October 2008.
8
Passed through eBay in November 2008.
9
Passed through eBay in January 2009.
10
Passed through eBay in May 2009.
11
Passed through eBay in July 2009. This sign was also offered for sale on eBay in February 2008 and October 2008. Each time with different pictures, the pictures getting better each time.
12
Passed through eBay in November 2009.
13
Passed through eBay in May 2010.
14
Passed through eBay in August 2010. This one has embossed letters. The lettering of the "James..." is identical. This is the first embossed one seen on eBay. The second embossed one, in pristine condition, was July 2018.
15
Passed through eBay in January 2011.
16
Passed through eBay in February 2011.
17
Passed through eBay in June 2011.
18
Passed through eBay in November 2011. It did not sell. It reappeared in December 2011, January 2012, February 2012 and June 2012.
19
Passed through eBay in February 2011.
20
Passed through eBay in November 2011.
21
Passed through eBay in November and December 2012.
22
Passed through eBay in February and twice in March 2013. The first two times the starting bid was way too high. On the third try the seller started rather low and had no problem selling it.
23
Passed through eBay in October 2013.
24
Passed through eBay in November 2013.
25
Passed through eBay in January 2015.
26
Passed through eBay in January 2016.
27
Passed through eBay in May 2016.
28
Passed through eBay in August 2016.
29
Passed through eBay in September 2016.
30
Passed through eBay in March 2017.
31
Passed through eBay in March 2017.
32
Passed through eBay in October 2017.
33
Passed through eBay in January 2018.
34
The second embossed one to appear. Passed through eBay in July 2018.
35
Passed through eBay in October 2018.
36
Listed on eBay for the absurd price of $495 in March 2019.
37
Passed through eBay in April 2019.
38
Passed through eBay in August 2020.
39
Passed through eBay in September 2020.
40
Passed through eBay in October 2020.
41
Passed through eBay in March 2022. It looks like it is embossed. Bidding was frenzied. Three bidders drove the price up to $398, plus $18 shipping.
42
Listed on eBay in September 2022 for $225, plus $18 for shipping. In March 2023 it was still listed for sale at that price.
43
Passed through eBay in March 2023 with a starting bid of $225 (free shipping), which it got.
43
These first appeared at eBay in August 2024 with an asking price of $209.88 each. They are new reproductions. The sign has Authorized Dealer, instead of James Russell. And they are an overly large 48" × 24", instead of 23-1/2" × 12".
