Sight: 18" x 30". With frame: 26" x 38" x 1".

American. 1910s to early 1920s. The story of this sign has two interesting components. First, one might ask if it's true that a tire company made sneakers? Few may know that B.F. Goodrich was one of the original American sneaker brands. The fact was that B.F. Goodrich owned many patents related to rubber, in general, and arch support systems in particular. This sign shows one of the original Goodrich high top runners, showing a circular medallion with the Goodrich name embossed. The second, and most interesting part of this sign, is the story behind Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance as the individual endorsing the brand. Long Lance was born Sylvester Clark Long, a mixed race African-American. He spent his entire life as a spokesman for Native American causes, was an actor who portrayed Indian characters, a writer who wrote about the Indian lifestyle, a football coach, and a journalist. He claimed he was a Cherokee, then a half Cherokee, then a mixed Cherokee, then a half Blackfoot, then a full-blooded Blackfoot- NONE OF IT TRUE! He was born in North Carolina where his father was a school janitor and his mother a housewife. Long had ambitions that were larger than what he saw in the small town of Winston. He left home to become an actor, eventually finding place in wild west shows that were popular at the time. It was also where he began his journey based on lies and fraudulent stories. There were many negative issues surrounding those of African or black heritage, so Long Lance felt he was safer and could go further by disavowing any connection, cultural or racial, to blackness. Speculations abound from the beginning as to whether Long Lance was of any Indigenous ancestry. His claims were all debunked, although many scholars reluctantly and eventually considered him to be of Lumbee descent (a tribe known for its tri-racial heritage). Regardless, Long Lance had made major success in all that he did. He received an average of $100 for his speeches (a very good price by all standards), he received accolades from the film industry, was well respected as a journalist and even endorsed a sport shoe for the B.F. Goodrich Company. In the end, his inner conflict of a black man masquerading as an American Indian resulted in Long Lance taking his own life. This is a rare sign not only for the intrigue of Long Lance and his untruths, but also for the advertisement of a sneaker by a tire company. This sign rarely comes to market. A focal piece to any collection, if only for the fascinating and curious nature of its history. All items are guaranteed authentic by Miller & Miller Auctions. All purchases are eligible for paid delivery to the Spring Dixie Gas & Oil Show on April 10-12 2025.

Grade: 8.25. Very good condition. Good color and excellent graphics. Several minor creases at the top in the Goodrich script along with hairline cracks through the script. Minor water staining in the lower quarter. Several closed tears in the upper quarter extending from the upper edge. Backing has been professionally applied (can be removed). No glass in frame. Sign has not been examined without backing.

Single-sided cardboard (SSC).