remarkably intact exceptional art deco style national fence advertising sign. the polychrome enameled lithographed sign is made of tin. likely used in an old hardware store. surface wear consistent with age. american steel and wire company was formed when numerous barbwire production companies merged together in 1899. the smaller businesses were located in texas, illinois, massachusetts, ohio, and several other states. barbwire proved to be especially useful for ranchers in the west to fence in their livestock. unfortunately for barbwire producers, numerous companies began to manufacture the item during the 1880's, driving the price and, thus, the profits down. to ease competition, companies created pools - secret agreements to limit production and competition - but companies continued to produce too much barbwire. to garner control over the industry and to drive prices back up, elbert henry gary created the american steel and wire company. by amassing all of these firms into a single company, gary could limit barbwire's production. he could also drive competitors out of business by cutting the product's price. in 1901, the u.s. steel corporation purchased the american steel and wire company and operated the company as one of its subsidiaries. the single-sided sign measures 23 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches.