It was used during the 1920’s in store windows of Winchester Stores, Winchester Repeating Arms own line of hardware stores. This panel set advertises Christmas and Santa Clause on one side and Ice Skates on the reverse side. The release date was November 23, 1922 for the Santa Claus and November 30, 1922 for the ice skates. Panel sets, consisting of five 40″ x 19″ panels, were introduced in March 1920 and continued through approximately 1928. Originally printed on one side of the thin cardboard panel Winchester quickly saw the economy in printing on both sides and double sided panels were introduced in September, 1920. The scenes on each side of the panel were targeted for display during specific weeks designated by Winchester. Each panel was made to be slipped into a wooden five panel frame, also supplied by Winchester. It appears that Winchester produced at least 29 one sided sets and 47 two sided sets. The best reference book on this subject is the Winchester Rarities by Tommy Webster and David Kowolski. Some of the sets that I have for sale are pictured in this book and identified in the description. I typically show photos of one or both sides of the panel set from that book when possible. Some of the panel sets I have for sale were not shown in the book as they were not available at the time of publication. The panel sets are colorful and present a breathtaking image when arranged in order. The individual panels are fragile due to the lightweight construction. Edge damage from inserting and removing from frames is common but such damage is typically hid from view by the wood frame. Those that are not on foam core should be protected as such for preservation. Or displayed in a frame if you have one. Description of this panel sets significance from the owners’ web site is as follows. (Christmas-1922)-Another unpublished Winchester 5-panel set that (this is complete). (side-#1)-Titled “CHRISTMAS DISPLAY”- shows a GIANT (3) center panel scene of a BIG RED SANTA and bag over-filled with Winchester gifts. It is indeed the most charming and sentimental of all the Winchester (5) panels and is a top “10” for sure. In the bag I see a very rare SCOOTER, M-90, Hockey Stick, Pocket Knife, Boxing Gloves, Plane, Basketball, two GOLD Scissors, full box of bits, a razor strop and a rare KITCHEN KNIFE SET. The only problem is this is so rare that only a few of the really dedicated Winchester advertising collectors know of its existence. The end panels are sometimes seen, they each show a long list of WINCHESTER STORE gift ideas, including some WJRC (Winchester Junior Rifle Corp) items. (Side-#2)-Titled ICE SKATE DISPLAY-shows a neat Winchester ICE SKATES on each panel, In MINTY condition. I note that there is some reflective flash in my photographs from lighting. This is not fading. The colors are true and vivid. There is some light staining and edge wear on the panels and seen in the photos. This set is not mounted on foam board. Unless noted the items listed are original and not restored, not reprints. Please bookmark my site and check back throughout the coming months. This item is original without restoration of any kind. The panels are sandwiched between lightweight pieces of plywood for protection, a method I have used successfully many times over. The item “Winchester Store 5 Panel Window Sign Display Santa Claus Ice Skate Christmas” is in sale since Wednesday, November 16, 2016. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Advertising\Merchandise & Memorabilia\Store Displays”. The seller is “nce1″ and is located in Duluth, Minnesota. This item can be shipped to United States.
