There are Grade A apples (or pears or eggs, etc) and Grade B ones (cosmetically imperfect but perfectly usable) and then there are the UNGRADED ones--laying in wait of judgement, I presume, but which I'd like to think exceed classification altogether! I love an old brass crate stencil, but especially an unusual one, and especially one bearing a word or phrase that transcends original context. This is the first I've seen of these. Let us all strive to be "ungraded."

8 1/2" x 2 13/16". Good antique condition, nice surface gleaming gold in areas but showing black ink around the letters from use and some greening around the hanging hole at left corner, all to the good in my opinion.