Sign, "Do Not Disturb," 1925-1938

01

Artifact Overview

Most weary travelers want peace and quiet when staying at a hotel, motel or inn. Guests in the 20th century -- just like today -- found a sign inside their room to help make their stay pleasant and restful. Guests who hung this sign outside on the door alerted staff that they did not want any interruptions until the sign was removed.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Sign (Declaratory or advertising artifact)

Date Made

1925-1938

Subject Date

December 1938

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2014.4.364

Credit

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

Material

Cardboard
String (Fiber product)

Color

Tan (Color)
Green
Red

Dimensions

Height: 4 in.
Width: 5.5 in.

Inscriptions

Front of sign: DO NOT / DISTURB / NOTICE: Guests desiring not to be disturbed by / employees knocking on the door to deliver morning / papers, telegrams, etc., are requested to hang this / notice on the knob on the outside of the door, and / replace after use / FORM 22 JOHN WILLY, CHICAGO PRINTED IN U.S.A. Verso, in handwriting: Anthony Xmas / 1938 / Harry. Ruppert / B & L.