Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Vintage neon signs

Messages
15,259
Location
Arlington, Virginia
03af4b5a9d75cffdf53c8c732c88fc66.jpg

2532ec89c9449e9d538fb4d8f2c50aef.jpg

8abccc408e00d0c8dad4b7331921d630.jpg

4137358505fc20fd33fee6633bb14445.jpg


I’m not familiar with this chain but I think I like them.
I am not familiar either, but I love the signage!
 
Messages
16,861
Location
New York City
Good image of a champagne coupe - love the bubbles (but probably need to be farther away than the camera was to get a better bubble effect).

802bb43bf47ed63858f374f78ad3ad12.jpg 1842.jpg

N.B. Love all the rigging used to support the sign. It's an old-fashioned way to solve a problem - throw more metal at it; today, they'd design the support requirements on a computer (programed to the exact need) and build with hidden light weight material. That all makes sense, but still a "hey, Hank, attach a few more chains to it (and make sure you screw 'em into the building real good) as we don't want the sign falling down on someone's head" approach has it's FL appeal.
 
Messages
15,259
Location
Arlington, Virginia
Good image of a champagne coupe - love the bubbles (but probably need to be farther away than the camera was to get a better bubble effect).

View attachment 118704 View attachment 118705

N.B. Love all the rigging used to support the sign. It's an old-fashioned way to solve a problem - throw more metal at it; today, they'd design the support requirements on a computer (programed to the exact need) and build with hidden light weight material. That all makes sense, but still a "hey, Hank, attach a few more chains to it (and make sure you screw 'em into the building real good) as we don't want the sign falling down on someone's head" approach has it's FL appeal.
Chains, wires, and all the metal rigging make a sign in my opinion. Its the little things, you know? Its just somehow better.

I installed a sign on my building in 2003 and used said rigging. I like the effect. Subtle, but noticable.
3b7b844c3dbb3f7c65b3eb48575c57a3.jpg
 
Messages
16,861
Location
New York City
There is no way in the world that I could like this sign more than I do.

First, I love Planters Peanuts. Second, I love classic Atlantic City. And, third, go big! Neon, bulbs, mascots sitting and hanging here and there, a giant can of peanuts and a ton of scaffolding - if you're going to do it, do it all, do it big, do it loud.

8afc059c61ff86d683f852fef7e8b058.jpg
 

2jakes

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,680
Location
Alamo Heights ☀️ Texas
Neon lights of Old Los Angeles.
ef5d96609.jpg

Commercial photographer Richard Stagg took the picture of the Vogue Drug Co. at 2001 W. Sixth St., in 1926. (Angel City Press)

fc90c6d2a.jpg

“Miracle Mile” neon sign welcomed visitors at La Brea Avenue.
The looming tower behind it, one of the city’s largest neon billboards, once advertised General of America Insurance (later Mutual of Omaha), and Asahi beer.

1201fdd11.jpg

Scene at 971 Wilshire Blvd.The corner drugstore in 1940 placed its neon collection above the door, in the front window, and around the corner with a unique combination of neon and backlit glass in an Alka-Seltzer sign.

6c20a256b.jpg

The Associated Oil Company was a California-based petroleum firm whose premium gasoline was sold under the Flying-A brand. Taking a cue from drive-in restaurants, the building has a flying-saucer awning and glowing centerpiece for added height and visibility.

Hollywood_Vine3-300x225.jpg

Hollywood and Vine neon sign once promoted a restaurant within the Equitable Building, but that restaurant is now long gone. The modern neon with working clock and glittering stars once pronounced the word Diner, then Bar and now Lofts as its premier, promotional function changed with time.
 

2jakes

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,680
Location
Alamo Heights ☀️ Texas
My vision is so bad these days that at first glance that ice cream soda looked to me like a can-can dancer bent over so all you saw was her fluffy-skirted backside and her legs, and I found myself wondering exactly what kind of a restaurant that was.

On a long distant road trip to Missouri.
I made reference to the lovely "bluebonnets" ahead when
nearing St. Louis which I thought
was odd because it was June and
I thought "bluebonnets" only bloomed
in Texas and only in April.
My brother turned to me and said,
"That's just a field of gravel jake,
I think you better let me take the
wheel!" :(
 

EngProf

Practically Family
Messages
597
The ice-cream soda design is fantastic (awesome cherry):

View attachment 119106

Also, very Hemingwayesque prose: "Food, soda, air conditioned, restaurant." A few more words and you'd have one of his shorter, short stories.
That's the sign for the Elliston Place Soda Shop - Nashville, TN. About a mile from my office... A local landmark - famous for cheeseburgers, sodas, and desserts.
For me, it fits the old Yogi saying, "No one goes there anymore, it's too crowded."
 
Messages
16,861
Location
New York City
My vision is so bad these days that at first glance that ice cream soda looked to me like a can-can dancer bent over so all you saw was her fluffy-skirted backside and her legs, and I found myself wondering exactly what kind of a restaurant that was.

The reveal here might be less about the restaurant and more about Lizzie. :)


That said, my reading vision is so bad, that my girlfriend - if she wants to show me something up-close - also knows to brings me my reading glasses as otherwise, as she says, "you won't see a thing."
 

2jakes

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,680
Location
Alamo Heights ☀️ Texas
That said, my reading vision is so bad, that my girlfriend - if she wants to show me something up-close - also knows to brings me my reading glasses as otherwise, as she says, "you won't see a thing."

Up-close I can see perfect.
I mostly wear eyeglasses to see long distance when driving, to catch a friendly smile or beautiful curves. :D
 
Last edited:

Forum statistics

Threads
107,217
Messages
3,031,285
Members
52,690
Latest member
biker uk
Top