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Collection of Morgan B. Brainard, Gift of Mrs. Morgan B. Brainard, 1961.63.22  Photograph by Wi…
Sign for Fitch's Inn
Collection of Morgan B. Brainard, Gift of Mrs. Morgan B. Brainard, 1961.63.22 Photograph by Williamstown Art Conservation Center © 2009 The Connecticut Historical Society.

Sign for Fitch's Inn

Original Owner (American, 1798 - 1884)
Dateabout 1834
MediumPaint on pine board, smalt, iron hardware
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width including hardware): 34 3/4 x 32 3/4in. (88.3 x 83.2cm)
Other (height x width of sign only): 21 1/4 x 32 3/4in. (54 x 83.2cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineCollection of Morgan B. Brainard, Gift of Mrs. Morgan B. Brainard
DescriptionImages: Ornamental design, centered on board. No underlying imagery.
Text: On both sides, inside top of oval, "R. FITCH.", inside bottom of oval, "INN". No underlying text.
Construction: Thick, single board, grain oriented horizontally, cut into oval shape. The board is one of the thickest in the collection (1-3/8" thick). Board is wrapped by a ¼" strip of oak or ash banding attached to outer edges with nails set in decorative patterns. Wrought iron decorative coils are nailed to the top and bottom edges of the sign.
Object number1961.63.22
NotesTechnique Note: Faint oval layout lines define the upper and lower boundaries of the lettering, except at the sides where the "R" and "H" rise above the curve of the oval scribe line so that the name may be more easily read.
On View
On view
Collection of Morgan B. Brainard. Gift of Mrs. Morgan B. Brainard.  1961.63.32  © 2011 The Conn…
Ariel Lawrence
about 1797
Collection of Morgan B. Brainard. Gift of Mrs. Morgan B. Brainard, 1961.63.39 Photograph by Wil…
Shapley Morgan
probably about 1800-1820
Collection of Morgan B. Brainard, Gift of Mrs. Morgan B. Brainard, 1961.63.41  Photograph by Da…
Captain Joseph Porter
1820-1825
Museum purchase, 1966.122.2  © 2011 The Connecticut Historical Society.
Edwin Hannah
about 1836
Collection of Morgan B. Brainard. Gift of Mrs. Morgan B. Brainard, 1961.63.31  Photograph by Wi…
Amos Hinman
about 1795-1815
Collection of Morgan B. Brainard, Gift of Mrs. Morgan B. Brainard, 1961.63.51  © 2011 The Conne…
Asa Wightman
1815-1824
Collection of Morgan B. Brainard. Gift of Mrs. Morgan B. Brainard, 1961.63.33 Photograph by Dav…
Unknown
about 1805-1820