8400 block of Olive Street
M. Cvetich was always punctilious about his marks.
1947 – M. Cvetich
1 June 20151943 – J. Widell
31 May 2015
2072 83rd Avenue
Here’s a far superior strike of J. Widell’s mark from this year—probably the best one he left in Oakland.
1937 – A. Nelson
30 May 2015
1437 85th Avenue
This is the second example I have from the mysterious A. Nelson, and it confirms his name. I think he was very likely the mysterious Albert Nelson.
1931 – Frank Lopes
29 May 2015
1762 83rd Avenue
A much better strike from this maker and year.
1931 – Jepsen Bros.
28 May 2015
2014 83rd Avenue
1926 – L. Banchero & Co.
27 May 2015
8327 Plymouth Street
This bizarre backwards mark appears to be from 1926. Let me share my thinking here. First, we’re very close to Banchero & Co.’s home location on 86th Avenue. Second, all my other Banchero marks used a racetrack format whereas this is an oval. Third, unless I’m badly mistaken, there’s no possible way to create a reversed mark with a properly made bronze stamp. Fourth, the numeral 6 next to the (backwards) date “192_” suggests to me that it’s meant as 1926. Fifth, all other Banchero marks date from 1927 and later.
The scenario I envision is this: When it went into business in 1926, the Banchero & Co. firm ordered a stamp, but it was defective thanks to a boneheaded foundry error. They went ahead and used it until a new one was made. I’ll have my eye closely peeled as I explore the next few avenues.
1924 – L. M. Rasmussen
26 May 2015
2056 84th Avenue
This is a much better example than my previous one.
Oakland Underfoot 