A unique Torck enamel advertising sign, ex collection... Lot n° 12

A unique Torck enamel advertising sign, ex collection Andreas Maurer, 100 x 50 cm A unique Torck enamel advertising sign, designed by Francis Delamare, Delamare & Cerf, Brussels, ca 1930-1935, H 100 - W 50 cm The surface of the sign is flat, with a folded edge and four attachments holes. As of May 1926, there is an obligation for enamel signs intended for the Belgian market to bear a legal mention, printed on the plate, in order to state the poster tax has been fulfilled. The above mention does not appear on this enamel sign, which suggests this is a sign that served as a model prior to an eventual order. Those 'specimens' were common in use. Furthermore, we are not aware of any other dated enamel sign with this particular design that effectively was used for advertisement. Probably the company Torck decided not to make the final order, and therefore this sign is unique. The enamel sign was most probably manufactured by the famous Brussels enamel company 'Les Emailleries de Koekelberg'. This company frequently carried out orders for the publicity company Delamare & Cerf. The Torck advertising sign was part of the collection of enamelled advertising art of Andreas Maurer until 1996. It was sold at Christie's Amsterdam in their 'The Andreas Maurer Collection of Enamelled Advertising Art' sale on 29 November 1996, lot 32. https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-505718 The present owners bought the sign directly from Christie's buyer. Published in: 'Trapauto's at Torck', Colinda Borst-Van Loon en Jeroen Borst, Enjoy Brocante, 2020, p. 159 We would like to compliment Jan De Plus for his appreciated expertise.