Art & Inspiration Old Signs

Neon rules!

 

I took this pic about a year ago. As you can see they were building a condo next to it. The condo is now done and you no longer can see the sign.

 

This is the original sign at The Museum Club, Flagstaff Arizona.
On Route 66. This hangs out back in the smoking area.

 

I'm surprised no one has posted this before, the "L.A. fair" sign.

Steve McQueen spent his youth here, go on look it up.

The last shot is from my crusing years in Alhambre, Ca. The back side of the Garfield, right across the street from "The Hat" worlds best pastrami.

 

Brooklyn NYC

 

Good to see this thread still rolling along!

Here's one from our road trip down to Modernism Week:

 

For anyone interested in old signs and advertising: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=771

Just FYI

 

Big Mac,

Thanks for starting the Vintage Advertising Club ... I'm in !!

 

SoCal people ... FWIW dept.:

Roy Reed's 33rd Annual Gas Bash is this weekend (April 14, 2012) at his home in Fontana. Google Roy Reed Gas Bash for address, details and directions. Note: Roy apparently does not have a web site and what you will find is from last year but directions are current ... disregard the dates shown. I received a mailing from him some time ago with show details for 2012:

Sat. 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM ($7.00)
Friday early entry - 10:00 AM ($35.00)

Quite a few dealers show here and Roy's collection is worth the trip.

 

I spent alot of time cruising Valley Bl. Spent much of my youth in this theatre as well.
This was the Garfield in Alhambra, directly across the street from The Hat and was Caddy Corner from the Pizza Pub and 1 blk east of Henry's Drive-In. Lots of cars on that blvd. This theatre was dozed in 2001?

I'm glad that we have this picture of the rear of the building which shows great signage and this place was incredible. Other than The Hat, not much is left at that intersection of Valley/Garfield. The buildings other than the theatre are still there, but not recognizable.

Thank you for sharing this pic.

 

My favorite "small" sign here in Portland:

 

My favorite "big" sign here in Portland:

 

Nothing cooler than neon. Great signs.

 

Gonna see if I can buy this one.

 

Here's a really old sign (circa 10000 B.C. ) for a company owned by one of Ryan's ancestors:

click thumbnails to enlarge​

 

Cookeville, TN

 

Here are a few from Los Angeles:

The Boeing and "Fly" signs are on the Boeing (former McDonnell-Douglas) aircraft plant in Long Beach, CA

The Foothill Drive-in closed about 10 - 12 years ago and Azusa Pacific University bought and redeveloped the land. They restored the sign as a marquee for APU in Azusa, CA

Roady's Restaurant is in San Dimas, CA and is on the same block as The Ford Store. Too bad they don't restore their sign.....

 

Thanks to everyone who has posted a photo of an old sign.

There is something very magical about old signs and the charm they have.

I am an old sign fan and just looking at the lettering styles and the fonts and colors they used years ago really brings great memories.

Most of the older signs were very simplistic with bold style and many were just black and white.

I have always gotten a great deal of inspiration for designs from looking at older signs from another era.

Maybe it's part of reason I have always loved doing pinstripping work.

Thanks for sharing Jimbo

 

I cant believe I just found this thread! I'll def be adding pic's asap!

 

Wow some great signs, there's just something about that old neon and nostalgic sign art!!

 

Couple from Deer Lodge MT.....

 

This one is supposed to be back up in October. Two years after a storm knocked it down. http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/article_b98b26d0-38c1-11e1-be06-0019bb2963f4.html

 

A few years back we were traveling up Maine into Quebec and stayed in the small town where STanley steamers were made. They had a great Coke sign hanging above a little store. Don't think it was neon though. Anybody up there that could take a pic?

 

These signs were recently restored and put up next to the local community college here in Tucson, Az. Very cool. We have a lot of vintage signs here in Tucson. I will take some pics next time I'm out cruising around.

 

Someone posted this along time ago here but not sure if it was on this thread. I thought it was really cool.

 

Have you thought of checking in with your local sign company? The sign company here has a big yard full of old signs they have taken down.

 

Looks better at night when it's all lit up, but check out the sign above the roof tops of the '32 Ford 5 window coupes.

 

Forgot to post where the photos and the sign is from - Downtown New Philadelphia, OH. This year's show is Saturday, September 8th. Registration: 5:00PM-7:00PM, Entry Fee $10, Awards after judging is completed.

 

These pictures give me tingly feelings. I love 'em. I'll have to share some of mine.