FS - Original Nickey Chevrolet Decal

[hvychev]

Dan, are you sure that decal is an "original?" What exactly do you mean by that?

[hvychev]

Hey Dan you out there?

[1969z280]

I bought one of them and if Dan says they're original, I have no reason to doubt him. Ed

[hvychev]

Well, maybe Dan has not seen this post although I have seen him online since I asked the question. I am asking what makes Dan believe the decals he sold were "original." Does he mean they are "original" in style, or does he mean they are "originals" that were produced at least 40 years ago? I feel they are original in style (although they are horribly printed, notice the Nickey logo all off center. The K is almost below the border), but they are NOT 40 years old in my opinion. I am not accusing Dan of anything because he may just not know. Nickey Decals have become sort of a joke in regards to being repoped, and badly at that. It has become that many people don't even know what the originals look like. The worst being the actual Nickey trunk dealer decal. I have been collecting Chicago area dealership memorabilia for almost ten years now and have assembled a nice collection of rare ORIGINAL NOS Nickey memorabilia that many people have not even seen. I actually refuse to post pictures on the internet of most of it because people are constantly putting repop's of stuff on e-bay which affects the value of my originals in my opinion. I usually do not like to post the originals details but in this case I will.

Before I post the original decal, here is an example of why I don't like to post the details of my original stuff. In 2003 I met a guy that found an original booklet of Nickey oil change stickers while working on a house. He gave me the opportunity to buy the whole pad but for some reason I passed, instead I elected to buy only two of them. He then decided to put a few on e-bay. Once he did that someone bought one and repopped them, now they have consistently been on e-bay as repop's for 7 years. I should have bought the whole pad to prevent this. The good thing is that the originals have a "unique" backing which I will not share so that it cannot be repoped as well. Here is a photo that I took in 2003 of the originals. I am sure that you have all seen these on e-bay as repops.

Nickey Oil Change Decal pad

As far as the Nickey Hi-Performance Parts decal, here are photo's of an original. Sorry I have to link the pictures but I just found out that the sYc photo gallery is down.

Nickey Decal 1

Nickey Decal 2

Nickey Decal 3

The front pretty much looks the same, with the exception that Dan's is poorly printed in the Nickey Chicago logo section. The real details are always in the backing. Note that Dan's decal has the backing separated directly down the middle? Well the originals have it going on an angle. Also note that the backing which was originally white has yellowed with 40 years of age and the backing also overlaps to the front. Dan's backing looks very white and new. Also another interesting characteristic of old decals, which I have many of in different variations, is that there is a very pronounced "crease" clearly visible on the front where the backing is separated on the back (as seen in the last photo). This is like the dozens of other vintage Chicago area dealer decals that I have. They all have the deep front "crease." The last thing I consider to be a huge indicator as to a 40 year old decals vintage is the "smell test." I know it sounds silly, but I am a collector of non auto related vintage Chicago paper items, photos, postcards, and other ephemera. Almost all of the items I have, have that distinctive "old paper smell." I would guess that Dan's decals have a faint scent of new(er) vinyl to them.

But hey, I could be wrong.

[JChlupsa]

decals from above post

[JChlupsa]

NICKEY Decal front

[JChlupsa]

NICKEY decal back

[MosportGreen66]

Hi Frank,

Informative post and I am sorry for not responding quicker. If Ed or anyone else does not like an item I am selling, simply return it for full refund.

While I validate your argument, Frank, for not confusing reproductions v. originals, your sentiments could have been in PM or email form if this was truly alarming to you. Seems like you were just trying to stir the pot with hidden knowledge you won't post on a public forum.

I trust this decal is original because it literally fell out of a Nickey Booklet I sold not long ago (it was an original too).

Have a nice night and hope this clears the air.

Thanks,
Dan

[hvychev]

Dan, sorry that I upset you. If I were the buyers of the decals I would want my money back based on what I just read in my post. Your response to my post did not leave me confident that your decal's were original. That is up to your buyer's to decide. If they are happy and confident, then god bless.

Why should I have PM'ed you this question as opposed to asking it publicly? People need to be aware of repop stuff that is out there and what to look for so they can avoid it. If you feel my post put you in a negative light then I am sorry, but it look's negative.

I also have another question for you. How many of these "original" decals did you just sell? It looks like two or three based on your postings. You had three 40 year old originals just laying around? That's interesting because in years I have only seen a hand full of actual "originals" that were for sale here and on e-bay. By no means is this decal ultra rare, but it is a lot more rare as compared to the repops of it out there. As far as the Nickey broshure this decal fell out of, I would be looking closely at that as well.

[MosportGreen66]

Its original. Case closed.
If members don't approve, money back!

Thanks,
Dan