important question

[greenacres]

http://www.antique-shop.com/forums/index.php?topic=16695.msg118118;topicseen#msg118118
I had posted this earlier. It's an antique bank sign. At the time when I got the sign I contacted our local history museum. I was told that I didn't have documentation. This was after it was removed from the original building. Today my husband was contacted by a man from Arizona. He originally was from the area. He asked where he could find the sign and he is willing to pay for it. He told my husband that it is the first Meridian Bank sign and his family started the bank, and he would like to by the sign. I have no idea of the value of the sign, nor do I know this guy. He did not own the building when it was purchased. I believe the story. I just don't know how to move forward with this. Who else would I go too! 😊

[greenacres]

Picture of the sign.

[mart]

I remember that plaque !!  Except to your area there is no huge value !!  It was the brass bank sign wasn`t it ?? I would say what ever you and he feel is fair !!  I mean there is no collector value,,and historically it is only important to the area the bank was located and to his family !!  We had several small family owned banks when I first moved to this area !!  But all the big banks bought them out !!  When those banks were dismantled I think one was given to the family and another is still on the building !!  But the building is now an antique mall !!  Don`t know about the others but I suspected they went to the scrap yard !!

[greenacres]

Thank you mart, lol. I told my husband that you would be honest. Philadelphia is a historical area within it's self. Have you ever heard about the Philadelphia fans.😊Well, I will think about it overnight. The truth is Meridian Bank was huge and at the end around 2008 they were criminally charged over bad mortgages. What percentage did he have of the bank, and should I feel obligated?

[mart]

OK !!  lets make sure we have the right bank !! You are saying "Meridian"  The sign says "Marian" !!

[greenacres]

Yes, but the name evolved.

[greenacres]

It might of combined two names at one point.

[mart]

OK !!  I will do some checking tomorrow on that name,, just to make sure !! 

[greenacres]

Marian Bank is now a branch of Royal Bank. Sorry not Meridian, although I thought my husband said that. He doesnt pay attention because it's not important in his busy day, lol.  Royal Bank is a large stable bank. My brother in law knew some of the Tabas family. That would put this gentleman in the write neighborhood. Very wealthy family.

[greenacres]

Now he got me in trouble I told him, lol

[fancypants]

I bemember this item , greenacres .

Maybe if your 'cold contact' really wants the plaque , he'll make a serious offer for it & be willing to pay the shipping & insurance .

You could even ask him to do so soon , esp. since 'you've been thinking about making a redneck pancake/waffle/steak grill out of the thing' .... (get 'em while they're hot !)

 

[mart]

Good idea Fancypants !!   That sounds more logical,, because bank names ,,as far as I know,, would have a problem with an evolving name !!  Federal regulations and such would not like that much !!

[greenacres]

Lol, nice idea.

[KC]

Would be a great deal if you got something for it $$ and it was returned to founders/historians!  Win Win!!!

Ask them what they are willing to offer!

Let us know.

[greenacres]

My husband told him he could get the sign. He didn't tell him he outright had it. The guy gave him his phone number. I told him to say the person would like to know what he was willing to pay for it. I don't feel badly. These people have plenty of money, so how badly do you want it. ☺