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Vintage neon signs

Thanks Dale.

My favorite neon as a kid was the Cat and Fiddle. His head bobbed while he moved the bow. Someone made the poor decision to demolish this landmark restaurant and the only thing left is the gravel spot in the parking lot (the same shopping center as the Tower Theatre up above).

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The sign did turn up for sale recently, but was way beyond my means at $2,500. I do have t-shirt with it though. :)
 
Messages
15,259
Location
Arlington, Virginia
Did some work at the old Atlas Theater in DC today. Cool place. 5 years ago, you wouldn't want to be caught dead in this part of town, but the neighborhood has really come back. Nice to see.

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Messages
17,272
Location
New York City
⬆️ That is a gorgeous Art Deco sign - is the rest of the theater as beautiful?

And always great to hear about areas coming back. When I first moved to NYC In the '80s, there were parts that you wouldn't want to walk through in broad daylight that are now "hot," "hip" areas that have a thriving nightlight and soaring rents.
 
Messages
15,259
Location
Arlington, Virginia
⬆️ That is a gorgeous Art Deco sign - is the rest of the theater as beautiful?

And always great to hear about areas coming back. When I first moved to NYC In the '80s, there were parts that you wouldn't want to walk through in broad daylight that are now "hot," "hip" areas that have a thriving nightlight and soaring rents.

The rest of the theater is rather plain. This is one of two remaining theaters of 5 that existed on this street in the 30s/40s. I would guess that this was one of the "budget" theaters. Not as grand as the Howard Theater (which is now a big music venue) just a few blocks away.
 
Messages
17,272
Location
New York City
The rest of the theater is rather plain. This is one of two remaining theaters of 5 that existed on this street in the 30s/40s. I would guess that this was one of the "budget" theaters. Not as grand as the Howard Theater (which is now a big music venue) just a few blocks away.

Thank you - shame the rest of it isn't up to its sign.
 
Not a great photo, but I discovered this pic last night that shows the Buck Morton Pharmacy (Springfield, MO) in 1940. There was a large Coca-Cola neon on the corner at some point. My parents co-owned this building in the late 1970s / early 1980s when Frank Morton retired from the pharmacy business. They kept the non-pharmacy sundries, added solar energy related products (Solar Sundries) and sold black Bell and Howell Apple computers out of the back room (Computer Annex). They also kept Frank and his cronies as the coffee klatch was too ingrained to leave the building. That's Frank in 1957. It was an odd mix of product, to say the least, and I remember Dad sharpening sheep shears on the big stone down in the basement -- another one of Buck Morton services that they kept going. Wish I had kept a few of the black Apples and I wish I would have found that neon sign in the attic! The building currently houses an art gallery.

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