I won this Helmar Brewing Gabby Hartnett wooden sign on Heritage Auctions. HA described it as a one of a kind original art. I wasn’t familiar with this sign or artwork, but tossed in a low bid of $80, thinking I wouldn’t win since the estimate was $300 – 400. I won it at $80($95 with BP) and then did some google research and found that Helmar is selling identical wooden advertising signs on their store front for $75. The difference is theirs is 14” x 24” and the one on HA is 22” x 34”.

Did I just spend $20 more for some reproduction I could have bought online? I imagine there is a difference since mine is a different size. I can’t imagine they are selling hand painted art for $75 online. Anyone familiar with this Helmar art work? Could the one on HA be the original painting?

Thanks for your help!

Heritage:
http://sports.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=48072&Lot_No=42152

Helmar:
http://98.131.6.133/Storefront.htm

Hard to believe that one-of-a-kind original art would sell for that little. Even harder to say about your Hartnett piece, as the size is different, and I did not see that specific one listed in the Helmar on-line store.

Maybe someone here knows more about these... not my area of expertise, as even the "original art" would be considered modern (and not vintage). I would not sweat the $95 spend, however, as long as you like the piece. These do appear to be attractive and pretty well made...

The item description says that it has a "definite vintage feel". Those seem like very carefully chosen words.

Joe,

It looks to me like you won the original painting that was used to produce the sign that Helmar is selling. The other painting that Helmar is selling as originals are listed at much more than $95, so it looks like you got it at a good price. Cool painting in my opinion.

AndyH

Thanks,

Andy

They are modern signs that look old. They are made by Helmar Brewing.
I bought some original artwork from them. I have a few nice pieces done by Monty Sheldon.
I know they will be at the National this year.
Here is a link http://www.helmarbrewing.com/storefront.htm

I don't think. They made two sizes......I bought a Mathewson and Wagner off ebay for about $75.00 each. They are very nice but very new. Make a great wallhanging. If I remember back then, the bigger size were $75 to $80 and the smaller were about $55.

I thought these are printed not handpainted.

At the bottom of the description, Heritage calls it "one-of-a-kind original art" and the price estimate is in alignment for the original painting not the sign, so I would read the auction to mean you are supposed to be getting the original painting.

Thanks all for the responses. I know it is new, as Helmar Brewing has only been in existence since 2001, but I was/am expecting it to be hand painted, not printed, based on the auction description .

Here is a pic of the back from the auction that shows some blue and black paint on the back.

Tom - Do the backs for your two signs look like this?



The price estimate is in line with the original paintings, as David and Andy pointed out, and the size is not in line with either of the two repro sizes they sell on their store front – so we’ll see. Hopefully a painting that is a little more unique, but regardless seems pretty cool and I have no remorse. (I will however follow up with HA on their auction description if it turns out not to be an original painting).

Joe, I've never seen the signs but that's the back of a painting.