Mebane Antique Auction Gallery
Live Auction

33rd Annual Carolina Country Store Auction Day 3

Sat, Aug 8, 2026 10:00AM EDT
Lot 3468

Rare Antique Buy Geo. E. Nissen Co. Wagons Winston Salem N.C. Tin Sign

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $1
$10 $5
$100 $10
$300 $25
$1,000 $50
$3,000 $100
$10,000 $500
$20,000 $1,000
$100,000 $5,000
$300,000 $10,000

Description

Early 20th Century; Original, 6” height, 28” width; Important single-sided tin litho tin tacker sign titled “Geo. E. Nissen and Co. / By Double Shoulder Wagons / Mf-g. Winston-Salem N.C. / Sold by Watson and Godfrey” with artwork of wooden spoke wagon and wheel hub quoted “Cannot Get Loose.” This is a rare surviving example that is legible with some original painted surface. The sign has multiple nonfactory holes, separation at the bottom edge, and needs professional cleaning. Please view photos. Provenance: Newcomb Collection RS

Medium

Tin Litho

Date

Early 20th Century

Condition Report

Good Original with paint loss and rust

Exhibited

Currently Mebane Antique Gallery and available for preview

Literature

Founded in 1834 by John Philip Nissen in Waughtown (now part of Winston-Salem, NC), the George E. Nissen Wagon Works became one of the largest wooden wagon makers in the South. Nissen wagons were renowned for their durability—often dubbed the "Cadillac among wagons"—and were heavily used by western emigrants and farmers hauling tobacco. The George E. Nissen Era: Following John's death in 1874, the business was taken over by his sons, George Elias and William M. Nissen, who renamed the enterprise George E. Nissen Wagon Works and expanded it to a massive 600-acre complex. Today, surviving Nissen wagons are prized by collectors and displayed at historical sites such as the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer and the Historic Nissen House in Lewisville, N.C.

Provenance

Newcomb Collection RS

Notes

Available for live in house bidding and pay-pick up from our gallery, Always bid with confidence with Mebane Auction. Thank you Jon Lambert

Condition

Very Good Original

Payments

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Shipping Info

We DO offer in house shipping. We DO NOT provide shipping estimates. We at Mebane Antique Auction Gallery, count it a privilege to be able to service our customers through our shipping department. We have and will continue to serve our customers in all 50 states & internationally. ALL items won by bidder will be shipped through the United States Post Office Insured Mail and/or Registered Mail UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED BY BUYER. Buyer is responsible for paying ACTUAL shipping cost (postage AND insurance), which will be added to the buyer’s invoice as soon as the item is ready to be shipped. Some invoices are subject to a $5 to $10 packaging material fee per box. This fee is based on the size, weight and amount of items purchased. There is no charge for labor or transportation to the post office. All items, will be packaged accordingly with USPS shipping standards or standards from which the company providing service. All packages, will be shipped in a timely manner. A timeline for items shipped will not be provided. Items will be shipped in the order paid invoices are received. Bidders are always welcome to pickup at our gallery in lieu of shipping. MAAG will not arrange shipping for oversized items. It is on the bidder to find a courier or pick up at our gallery. Online Bidders: We will add shipping charges to your invoice once we have your shipping cost. Once payment for the invoice is received, we will have our shipping department package and prepare your items for shipping. That means we automatically prepare items for shipping after payment is collected. We use the address listed on your account for shipping. IF YOU NEED TO USE A DIFFERENT ADDRESS OR DO NOT NEED SHIPPING AND WILL PICK UP, LET US KNOW ASAP AFTER PAYING YOUR INVOICE. We thank you and anticipate any & every item(s) purchased from Mebane Antique Auction Gallery that requires shipping to be an easy & pleasurable experience. If you have any questions, concerns, or special shipping requests please contact Bryan at 919-563-2424. As of March 1, 2025, MAAG is not liable to handle insurance claims. If an item is damaged in transit, it is on the bidder to submit a claim through the post office: https://www.usps.com/help/claims.htm. As of May 1, 2025, if MAAG needs to use a third-party shipper, it is between the bidder and third party to handle shipping, including packaging and cost. MAAG can deliver to a third party, dependent on size, but will not act as liaison between bidder and third party.

Newcomb Collection RS

Lots that are unavailable for in-house shipping are noted in the lot description. If the lot description does not mention shipping, it is available for in-house shipping. We ask all bidders to read carefully and evaluate if arranging a courier or picking up at our gallery is a viable option for them. We do not give courier recommendations.