Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2013.001.002 |
Object Name |
Sign, Informational |
Title |
Pennsylvania Railroad Company Trenton Passenger Station Sign |
Description |
The object is a Tuscan red rectangular railroad sign. The front features a gold inscription with a black outline that reads, "TRENTON." Near the bottom left side, there is a small circular hole, presumably for a screw. The front of the sign is framed with an elevated gold rim, while the top, bottom, right, and left sides are all Tuscan red. The back of the sign is light brown, and it has three indented rectangular areas. This sign was originally located on the Clinton Avenue station platform in Trenton, New Jersey. According to the editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, the Pennsylvania Railroad Company was chartered by the Pennsylvania State Legislature in 1846 to build a railroad line between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. Through a series of expansions and acquisitions, the company eventually covered much of the Northeast and Midwest. The Pennsylvania Railroad was highly successful throughout most of the 19th and early 20th centuries, experiencing its first financial loss only in 1946. In 1968, the railroad merged with one of its chief competitors, New York Central, to form Penn Central Transportation Company. However, the merger proved unsuccessful, and the company declared bankruptcy in 1970. Its railways were subsequently taken over by the newly established Amtrak in 1971. Citations: Pennsylvania Railroad Company . Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). https://www.britannica.com/money/Pennsylvania-Railroad-Company |
Date |
Mid 19th to Mid 20th Century |
Material |
Wood |
Artist |
Pennsylvania Railroad Company |
Height (in) |
14.000 |
Length (in) |
1.125 |
Width (in) |
54.000 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Accretions, scratches, discolorations, and holes throughout. Front: There are white accretions throughout. There are black accretions around the rim. One of the holes on the bottom is missing. There is paint chipping throughout. And finally, there are scratches throughout. Right Side: There are three holes. There are white accretions throughout. And finally, there are abrasions throughout. Back: There is a dark brown discoloration all around the edges. There is a black accretion on the bottom near the left side. There is a black discoloration on top near the right corner. There are abrasions all over the bottom. And finally, there is wear all around the edges. Left Side: There are two holes. There are black accretions throughout. There are white accretions throughout. And finally, there are abrasions throughout. Top: There is a dark red discoloration throughout. Also, there are white accretions throughout. Bottom: There are abrasions on the bottom near the right side. There are white accretions on the center near the left side. And finally, there are scratches on the center near the middle. |
Inscription Type |
Inscription |
Inscription Location |
Front, Top to Bottom, Left to Right |
Inscription Technique |
Stamped |
Inscription Text |
"TRENTON" Line 1 |
Classification |
Transportation |
Subjects |
Streets Roads Transportation Transportation industry Woodwork Woodworking Railroad companies Railroad construction & maintenance Railroad employees Railroad stations Railroad switches Railroad tracks Railroad trains Railroads Railroad travel |
Search Terms |
Wood Red Gold Brown Tuscan 1969 Trenton Pennsylvania Railroad Company Railroad 1846 19th Century 20th Century Signs Informational Sign Moreland Houck Pennsylvania Railroad Company Trenton Passenger Station Sign Passenger Station Sign Clinton Avenue |
Provenance |
This item was donated to the Trenton Free Public Library by Moreland Houck. It became apart of the Museum Collection in 2013. |