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Coon Chicken Inn Metal Sign, ca. 1920s-1950s

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:80.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 400.00 USD
Coon Chicken Inn Metal Sign, ca. 1920s-1950s
For your consideration is a Coon Chicken Inn Metal Sign, circa 1920s to 1950s. The metal sign features a smiling caricature of a bald Black man wearing a red and black coloured porter's cap on the left and "Coon Chicken Inn" written in white paint on the right. The background is painted red. The smiling capped porter head also appeared on menus, dishes, and promotional items. The Coon Chicken Inn was a highly successful restaurant chain from the late 1920s through the 1950s. The restaurant's name contained the word Coon, considered a racial slur and the trademarks and entrances of the restaurants were designed to look like a smiling caricature of a Black porter. Its derogatory use dates back to the 1830s, popularized by blackface minstrel shows. Due to changes in popular culture and the general consideration of being culturally and racially offensive, the chain was closed by 1957. This painted white wood framed sheet metal sign is in good overall condition, five holes noted on the face, paint loss exhibited on wood frame. Two eye hooks at the top of the frame for hanging. Measures 21"W x 46.5"L x .75"D, weight is 7lb.