Sign, "S-S-S-H! Please Go 'Way and Let Me Sleep!" 1938-1950

01

Artifact Overview

Like today, proprietors of mid-20th century hotels, motels and inns provided "Do Not Disturb" signs for weary travelers who wanted a restful stay. Guests placed the sign outside on their door to alert staff to please be quiet and not enter the room. This sign even included instructions that guests could use to stop unwanted telegrams or telephone calls.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Sign (Declaratory or advertising artifact)

Date Made

1938-1950

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2014.4.339

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of John Margolies.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
String (Fiber product)

Color

Green
Blue

Dimensions

Height: 7.75 in.
Width: 5.75 in.

Inscriptions

Front of sign: S-S-S-H! / Please go 'way and let me sleep! / DON'T / DISTURB / If you want to sleep late or take a nap or read or / rest, hang this card on the door outside your room / and no one will disturb you. And if you wish no / telephone calls completed or telegrams delivered / you have only to instruct the office. Please remove / card when you desire regular service to be resumed. / HOTEL LOWRY / ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA