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VINTAGE ASBESTOS PAINT SIGN

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 300.00 USD
VINTAGE ASBESTOS PAINT SIGN
Large painted wooden plaque advertising 'H.W. John's Liquid Asbestos Paint', likely pre-1900. Henry Ward Johns founded the H.W. Johns Manufacturing Company in New York City in 1858. In 1901, the company merged with Manville Covering Company, forming the H.W. Johns-Manville Company, the precursor to Johns Manville, a leading manufacturer in building products. For much of the 20th century, the company was a global leader in the manufacturing of asbestos products. Starting as early as 1929, employees started claiming disability from lung diseases. The claims were settled out of court, with a secrecy order. From the 1960s to the 1980s, the company faced thousands of lawsuits claiming asbestos related illness or injuries. 62.5 x 7.5 inches. Minor damage and loss of wood at underside of plaque and minor paint chipping.