#46 • Framed Kentucky Fried Chicken "Fried Chicken in a Box" Advertising Sign

Part of The Colonel Sanders Artifact Collection (live auction by The Menish Group Auction & Real Estate)

High bid $6,500.00

Status: Sold

Description Vintage framed Kentucky Fried Chicken advertising sign promoting a boxed meal offering featuring "1/3 Kentucky Fried Chicken in a Box" with homemade potato salad, rolls, honey, and homemade apple pie for dessert. The sign advertises the complete meal for $1.35, with an additional chicken portion available for 90 cents, and encourages customers to phone ahead for carryout service. Executed in the distinctive hand-lettered style commonly associated with early Kentucky Fried Chicken point-of-sale advertising, the sign is presented in a period wood frame and retains its original promotional wording and pricing. Historical Significance Before the widespread adoption of standardized printed marketing materials, many Kentucky Fried Chicken locations relied upon hand-lettered signs and locally produced displays to promote menu offerings and specials. Such signs reflect the practical, community-oriented nature of the brand during its growth years and provide a glimpse into how Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants communicated with customers during the mid-twentieth century. The advertised pricing and menu composition offer valuable insight into consumer dining habits and the evolution of Kentucky Fried Chicken's carryout business during the era of Colonel Harland Sanders. Story & Context Colonel Sanders built his reputation not only on his famous recipe but also on convenient family meals designed for customers to take home and enjoy together. This sign highlights one such offering, pairing fried chicken with traditional Southern side dishes and dessert in a ready-to-go package. Preserved among the Sanders-related materials maintained by the Settle family, the sign represents the type of restaurant advertising that would have been familiar to generations of Kentucky Fried Chicken customers and serves as a visual reminder of the brand's early years. Provenance From the preserved collection associated with Colonel Harland Sanders and Claudia Sanders, maintained by the Settle family following their acquisition of Blackwood Hall and the Claudia Sanders Dinner House directly from Colonel and Claudia Sanders in 1974. Condition Displayed in a period frame. Sign exhibits age-related toning, discoloration, surface wear, and evidence of long-term display and storage. Frame shows expected wear consistent with age. Sold as found.