Large 1940’s Sea Nymph Bathing Suit SS Masonite Sign

Sea Nymph was a women’s bathing suit brand that was active from the 1940’s through the 1960’s. This piece was manufactured by Stites Portrait Co. The shipping label on the back shows its original destination to be the RKO Sign ship in Cincinnati, OH. The most likely destination for this piece would have been theaters in the Cincinnati area in the early 1940’s. The imagery is based off Barbara Shermund, a leading female cartoonist, who provided this full page illustration to Esquire magazine in 1940. The condition of this piece, given its age, is incredible. There are added holes around the edge near the frame. It shows wear expected for an 80 year old masonite advertising piece. A really unique piece with a cool story.