Buying A Vintage Neon Sign?

Nostalgia is always en vogue and what is more reminiscent of a better time than neon signs. The word “better” may be improperly used here, but the thought is valid. People want to remember the past because it has more interest, usually, then the present. It can be romanticized and remembered not for what it really was, but for the best parts. Again, one of those best parts was an era when neon signs were everywhere flashing the way to entertainment and fun.

The problem with nostalgia is that it can be pricey and broken down. If you want something that is truly from a certain era, that was constructed of gas filled glass tubes, it may be difficult to find it in good condition. Of course, a neon bender can make something that mimics the time and the style of yesteryear, with the efficiency and safety of modern times.

So what are the issues you will face if you must have the original?  

First, is the sign original or is it a reproduction? It is not easy for the uninitiated to tell the difference. Second, are there problems that need to be addressed? What does a properly operating neon sign look and sound like? And finally, what is a fair price to pay for an original sign? Take the Hamm’s bear for example. If you find an original sign somebody is selling on eBay, what should you pay?

Original or Reproduction

It is difficult sometimes to tell the difference, but a professional can. The product should be marked as authentic if it is. If it not certified, you may want to look for another seller.

How to Notice Problems

Look for cracked tubes (that can be replaced), faulty electrical connections (that can cause a fire), and outdated power supplies (not UL2161 listed). Vintage signs often come with old heavy coil and core power supplies, While they may still work to power the sign, they lack the safety features of modern electronic power supplies. Modern power supplies have a mandatory secondary ground fault, which is a beneficial safety protection feature that causes the power supply to automatically shut down when it senses a fault. The introduction of UL2161 in 1996 requiring all new neon signs to have a power supply with a secondary ground fault has improved sign safety tremendously and virtually eliminated neon sign fire hazards. If you vintage sign still carries the old style power supply, you may want to have it replaced for the safety of your family. Also, when you are purchasing a product make sure that it works in your presence. It is always better if the buyer is wary.

What is a Good Price?

This of course varies widely, but its worth what you are willing to pay. Some large vintage neon sign can go for up to $20,000. A sign listed as vintage always seems to cost more. Do not be fooled by reproduction products though. Have an expert verify what you have.

Neon Sign Safety

Neon signs are functional, nostalgic and, in many cases, memorable, but they can also lead to accidents. Okay, so your not worried about the sign jumping off the wall (even if it is a stock Freddy Krueger clock) and doing damage. They seem innocuous, they don’t offer any obvious hazards, but like anything else they can be mishandled.

So you know that they are made from little glass tubes that contain an inert gas, so, yeah, the glass can break and cut you. Big deal. You just broke a cup in the sink last week and sliced your finger. Apply pressure and put on a band aid. The problem is that there are many things in the house that can cause injuries that people don’t think about. Just follow these tips and enjoy that vintage thumbs-up keep on trucking sign your dad got for a gag gift thirty five years ago.

How High is the Ceiling?

The height at which you put the clock or sign is an issue because if it falls you could have unseen little glass shards all over the house. Neon glass is not special, but, like all other forms, when broken it tends to splinter. Suspending a neon structure improperly from a vaulted ceiling could cause undo hazard.

Daddy, Will the Little Shards of Glass Cut Me?

Children are another concern. Most of the time a neon sign or other memorabilia is carefully tucked away from little fingers, as it should be. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Just realize that there is the danger of breakage as a neon structure is probably more fragile than a lot of signs, clocks and other pretty things that they may come in contact with.

Okay, Does This Seem Warm to Anyone Else?

When purchasing a neon piece, make sure that it properly wired and has a UL2161 power supply installed. The UL 2161 standard was introduced by Underwriters Laboratories (UL®) in 1996 to protect the public from any shock or fire hazard. The standard requires all new neon power supplies to incorporate secondary ground fault and over voltage protection. If you purchase a used neon sign made before 1996, which still has a non-conforming power supply, make sure that it is not growing hotter. This would indicate a problem.

Saved from the Junk Yard

The Museum of Modern Art (MONA), a non profit Art museum in Los Angeles, is launching a fundraising campaign to restore one of the neon dragons formerly on the iconic marquee at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.  For 43 years these neon dragons graced the theaters marquee with their glowing presence, which  is now the site of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

According to MONA, in 2001, the theater's owners had planned to remove the iconic neon dragons and donate them to the museum. However, when the time came, the owners changed their mind and decided to move them to an outdoor storage yard. Although the marquees were in perfect, working condition when they were removed from the Chinese Theater, neglect took a heavy toll. For 6 years the signs sat ravaged by the elements and souvenir hunters. The owners decided to junk the dragons in 2007, but MONA officials found out about the signs' impending disposal, and were able to save them from heading to the dump.

Today, MONA has retained the one of the dragons and gifted the other to another local non-profit institution. The museum's goal  is to restore their dragon to its former glory in time to greet visitors at the grand opening of their new facility in Glendale in 2015. With the help of the public Mona hopes to raise the funds needed to restore the neon sign.

The restoration will entail three phases: the first will involve a thorough cleaning and stripping of rust and old paint off the 40 foot sign and then priming and repainting; the second requires new neon glass units fabrication by a skilled tubebender of the sign's 65 glass units in the original colors; and, the final phase includes recreation of the original animation sequence, wiring and the metal framework that will support the exhibit. The 1974 Mel Brooks classic "Blazing Saddles" will be used to view the animation of the neon tubing on the dragon and will help our restorers recreate the sequencing.

For more information about the campaign and to support the restoration, contact MONA. 

Vintage Neon Signs in Las Vegas

Want to see a cool restored film of some of the old neon signs that made Las Vegas famous? One or two of the signs featured in the film are still visible in Vegas today. However most have been lost to us, as anyone who's paid a visit to the cities Neon Museum can attest.