From the mammoth Breyers extravaganza, to the Globe Dye Works 20’ map of North America, Philadelphia has lost most of its neon treasures. Yet the torch is not out—important neon pieces are being saved and resurrected across the area.
This slide talk will provide an overview of Philadelphia sign history and more. We will look at spectacular neon theater marquees brought back to life—the County in Doylestown, the Colonial in Phoenixville, as well as new theaters with vintage style exteriors. You will marvel at before and after photos of restored neon sign masterpieces like the gear shifting Giles and Ransome bulldozer and the Swartz camera with its moving aperture. We will follow the progress of still-on-the-street landmarks as they undergo restoration in 2015: the Boot and Saddle’s one-of-a-kind western design, the 5’ neon letters atop the Divine Lorraine Hotel.
Beyond these and other restorations, icons in Len Davidson’s collection that await renewal (e.g. Bookbinders Seafood, Pat’s Steaks Pioneer and Originator) will also be examined. Factors pushing this rebirth—interest in handmade, artisanal creations; millennials’ fascination with all things “retro”; the boom in repurposing—will also be discussed.