J. Lyons & Co. were best known for their chain of tea shops which opened from 1894 and finally closed in 1981, and for the Lyons Corner Houses in the West End of London. From the 1930s Lyons began to develop a pioneering range of teas, coffees, cocoas, biscuits and cakes that were sold in grocery stores across the world.

 

Here we have a charming example of a Lyons' Cocoa enamel sign. It has a vibrant yellow and orange colourway, but is a smaller size than those more commonly found and is subsequently easier to display and would make a wonderful addition to any vintage themed kitchen, café, tea rooms etc. 

 

The sign probably dates from the 1940s/early '50s. It has retained a very good surface gloss and the colours remain strong and unfaded, but it does have large patches of enamel loss around the outer edges, a vertical strip of enamel loss / corrosion towards the left edge and some patches running through the middle. As per the second photo there is some horizontal crazing running through the enamel. In my opinion this damage adds to the character of the piece without having any signficant affect on it's impact or legibility. The sign can still be hung using the original mounting holes in the upper corners (the central moutning hole has deteriorated, but isn't necessary). 

 

The sign measures 90.5cm wide x 30cm high.

 

S/N: #0762