04.10.15
John Foster | Accidental Mysteries

Sign Language

Last week, more than 400 objects from the Walker Collection of American signs were auctioned in the small town of Proctor, Arkansas. The signs had been collected over a period of fifty years by one man who became obsessed with saving the signs from eventual destruction, either by neglect or by other collectors who would cut the double-sided signs in half to sell both sides. 

In preserving and restoring the signs, Vernon Walker knew he was saving a key part of American advertising history, hoping to one day open a museum. But like many collectors, time caught up with him, and the museum never happened. At seventy-four, he decided not to leave the dispersal of the signs to his family—and contacted an auction broker, who readied the signs for auction right on the premises of Walker’s warehouse. 


The Walker Collection warehouse

The auction was highlighted by the sale of several extremely rare signs, including one for Weakley Lawn Equipment, which sold for $125,000. Bill Piper with Neogram Sign Company designed this unique sign in 1948, when the cost to produce it was an astonishing $8,000. According to the auction catalogue, this sign is one of the most unique and intricate in the collection. 


This unique Weakley Equipment sign is "animated," double-sided, and is still in working condition | 96 x 138 x 36 inches

Fewer and fewer people have seen the great signs of the past except in photographs or at auctions like this one. Historic signs like these, most of which exhibit great technical and artistic skill, are important artifacts of our cultural, advertising, and socio-economic history. Most have deeper stories than the neon, enamel, or porcelain can tell—stories that were on the front lines of the American free enterprise system.


Point Special Beer | 40 x 33 x 18 inches
 

I am sure Walker bought many of the signs for the mere cost to remove them. Great signs still exist here and there across the country, but they are being lost to decay and neglect. Mr. Walker should be commended for his perseverance and dedication. Though no longer together as a group, the signs will be preserved by individual buyers for the future. 


Hudson | 90 x 46 x 16 inches

Steam Heat | 60 x 12 x 13 inches

Pegasus, from a Mobil Oil sign, brought $72,500 at auction | 120 x 80 x 17 inches

A double-sided neon from the restaurant and motel chain Howard Johnson's | 113 x 78 x 23 inches

Siesta Motel | 104 x 71 x 15 inches

Flashing beetle neon sign | 108 x 55 x 16 inches

D-X | 66 x 37 x 5 inches

Johnson's Garage | 192 x 96 x 19 inches

Animated neon coffee pot sign | 76 x 48 x 15 inches

Southern Beer | 60 x 60 x 21 inches

Leader Newspapers sign sold for $52,500 at auction | 72 x 98 x 20 inches


All signs created c. 1920–1965; photos courtesy Mecum Auctions 





Comments [2]

I am a huge fan of vintage signage, and I love the fact that there are people out there who are able to see the value of preserving such unique pieces of our culture. It's too bad that more isn't being done to bring new life to these antiques that are disappearing from age, decay, and neglect. I think that what makes these signs so collectable is the fact that they are one of a kind. It makes me wonder if there will come a time when the things that we use for advertising, (billboards, signage, etc.) will become collectable. Will they even last? Very cool signs. :)
Russell Cluff
04.14.15
12:35

Sadly Russell, so much signage today is temporary. Vinyl “QUIK-SIGNS” so bad and impermanent they can’t even spell correctly. Hand painted signs are rare nowadays, —though there has been a small resurgence in the art and craft. But these neon beauties, they are rare and wonderful. Those days are gone I am afraid—at least not the widespread use that it used to be. It’s too expensive to produce—unless a reader tell me different. I would love to be wrong.
John Foster
04.14.15
02:09


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