Checkerboard

February, 2020

A museum dedicated to the beauty and mystique of neon signs was opened in August, 2018 in Dalles, Oregon. The following information was taken from the museum's web site.

The National Neon Sign Museum is located in the heart of The Dalles downtown historic district. The museum captures the history, craftsmanship, and culture that shaped America, as seen through the lens of the signage and advertising industry.

 

With its focus on the evolution of the electric sign, from pre-electric and gold leaf signage to the invention and widespread use of plastic, the museum’s current assets represent one of the largest collections of neon storefront signs in the world.

 

The collection is filled with an expansive range of signage and artifacts related to the sign industry, including many one-of-a-kind signs and displays that cannot be seen on public display anywhere else in the world. Along with the animated and figural ‘Dog n’ Suds’ sign and the Howard Johnson’s ‘Simple Simon,’ the collection also includes one of the rarest groupings of West Coast petroleum signs ever assembled, including Richfield-‘Eagle,’ Seaside, Polly, Associated, and the Buffalo sign.

 

Some of America's long lost icons will be gallery displayed on full-scale, authentic storefront replications. Among the many noteworthy pieces in this singular collection are Big Bear Drive In, Dawn's Donuts, Dog n' Suds, Town Pride Frozen Custard, Greyhound Bus Depot, as well as thousands of vintage pieces of documentation and ephemera.  

For further information about this unique museum, click here to be directed to its web site. A gallery of images is presented below.

Things to do at the 2020 AAAA Convention? You bet! According to attendee surveys each year, the convention strikes just the right balance in terms of activities--plenty to do but not too hectic. Click here to see the 2020 Convention Schedule.

SEMINARS: We are always proud of our line-up of seminars and this year is certainly no exception. The following presentations will take place:

On Wednesday, July 8, 7:00-8:00 PM, a panel discussion entitled "Collections! Collections! Collections!" will be presented by Tom Licouris, Remey Rubin, and Wyatt Yon. In this seminar, photographic and video tours of fascinating collections of antique and vintage advertising will be conducted. The owners of these collections will provi de narrative, historical, and other interesting information about their acquisitions. Tom Licouris & his wife Lynne have been passionate advertising collectors for the last 40 years. Their interests range from turn of the century country store to early automotive related advertising. R emey Rubin started collecting typewriter ribbon tins around 1993. But it was not until 1995, when he attended his first AAAA convention in Manchester NH that he learned that there was more to antique advertising collecting. That’s when, in his own words, "the addiction set in".  Wyatt Yon resides in Storm Lake, Iowa and has been collecting antiques and antique advertising for almost 50 years.

On Thursday, July 9, 1:30-2:30 PM, "Damaged Goods, Restored Values" will be presented by renowned restoration artist/expert, Chuck Kovacic. He will demonstrate basic techniques that will enhance the value of rare advertising items that are often overlooked because of their damage. Approaches suitable for paper, metal and cardboard will be discussed along with required materials and tools. Chuck is a professionally trained fine artist who resides in the Los Angeles area. He has assisted serious collectors and select auction houses with their restoration needs for over 40 years. As a highly respected member of NABA and AAAA, he has published articles and conducted seminars at their annual gatherings.

 

On Friday, July 10, 9:00-10:00 AM, John Devolder will present "Breweriana of Rochester, New York". This seminar will present and explore various types of brewery memorabilia with anecdotes and brewing history as it relates to Rochester New York. John has been a collector ever since he was “old enough to bring junk back from the junk pile”. He began to save old bottles in the early 1960's. He slowly turned his attention to beer collectibles in the mid 1970's. He became one of the first-and largest-beer can merchants in upstate New York. He eventually chose to focus on items from the Rochester, New York area.  He is retired from a lifetime of finish carpentry and has one son who loves collecting many things, including Breweriana.

ROOM HOPPING: For many, Room Hopping represents the heart and soul of the AAAA Convention. The hotel guest room settings, set up as mini-antique establishments, are a delight to explore and examine. You never know what you will find! We expect at least 40 attendees to be selling out of their rooms. The intimate selling environment encourages people to take their time with their visits, sit a spell, do their wheeling and dealing, and get to know other club members. There is no better way to buy and sell antique advertising. Several time slots are designated each day for Room Hopping. Specific times can be found on the Convention Schedule.

SILENT AUCTION: Our popular and exciting Silent Auction will take place on Friday afternoon from 1:00-3:30 PM. Highly desirable items from all genres of antique advertising will be available to the highest bidder. With a seller commission fee of only 10%, which goes to AAAA, this represents a great sales option. Buyers pay no commissions.

FAVORITE ADVERTISING: The "best of the best" in the way of vintage advertising can be found in the Favorite Advertising Exhibit that will take place on Thursday evening. Certificates, based on the votes of attendees, will be awarded to the owners of items deemed "Best in Show" in several categories. If you have helped out in the past and would be willing to serve as Coordinator of this event, please click here.

MEMBERSHIP/BUSINESS MEETING All attendees will be encouraged to attend the Membership/Business Meeting on Thursday morning. In this meeting, the current status of AAAA will be reported on and plans for the future will be discussed. This will be your opportunity to offer input on the well-being and future growth of your club.

MEALS AND GAMES We will break bread as a group in two delicious banquet dinners (Thursday and Friday) and one robust lunch buffet (Friday). Thursday's lunch is on your own. The Embassy Suites Dublin received rave reviews for their food when we were there in the past. The dinners will be augmented by organized fun and games. Great prizes will be awarded to many lucky individuals.

VISIT TO THE LEO FRY TOBACCO COLLECTION All Convention attendees are invited to visit Leo Fry’s world-class collection of over 900 Vertical Pocket Tobacco Tins and over 500 Tobacco Soft Packs. The collection is located in his home, which is about 15-20 minutes from the hotel. You will see some of the rarest and most desirable examples in existence. Visits can be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time before, during, or immediately after the Convention on Saturday. Leo’s cell phone number is 614-330-2584.  His home number is 614-888-4619. The AAAA Convention would not be complete without a visit to Leo’s amazing collection!

ANTIQUE MALLS Antiquing in nearby Springfield, Ohio will be the activity of choice for many attendees the day before or after the AAAA Convention. The Heart of Ohio Antique Center, one of our loyal Convention Sponsors is a "must visit". At 122,000 Sq. Ft., it is regarded by many as one of the "biggest and best" anywhere. Also, they carry an extensive and high quality selection of vintage advertising.

REGISTER NOW!

This is the time to register, especially for sellers. The best room locations will go to those registering early. Also, if you wait too long, we may run out of rooms in our room block. Don't be disappointed--register today.

 

The Convention registration fee is $125.00 per person, which covers all Convention activities from Wednesday evening through Saturday morning, including two hearty plated banquet dinners, one lunch buffet, and, for hotel guests, three made-to-order breakfast buffets and a hotel reception each evening with light snacks and drinks including beer, wine, and cocktails.

AAAA has negotiated a heavily discounted guest room rate of $132 per night for a room with a king or two double beds, plus 17.5% taxes. In order to obtain the AAAA discounted rate, it is necessary to register for the convention through AAAA.

Easy and secure on-line registration with credit card payment is once again available for those with email. To register for the Convention, just click the icon immediately below:

For those without email or internet access, the traditional paper form is still available. To download the form, click the icon immediately below:

To see the Convention Schedule (subject to change), click the icon immediately below:

A flier that describes the 2020 AAAA Convention is available by clicking the icon immediately below. Please download this document and forward it to all of your collector friends and acquaintances that might be interested in attending.

Do you have any questions about the 2020 AAAA Convention? If so, click here.

The AAAA Convention is the most exciting antique advertising event of the year! We hope to see you there!

I am fond of late 19 ^th century and early 20 ^th century photos of general stores, soda fountains, and related retail establishments. A period photo of a charming little diner recently found its way to me (see image, below).  On the left side of the mat, I observed the following inscription : “Ivy Leaf Café Harrington, Wash 1902”. 

As is my custom, I proceeded to search the internet to see if I could learn anything more about my new acquisition. I immediately came upon a Wikipedia listing for “Harrington, Washington”. It is a very small city with a population of only 400. Since 1900, the population has never exceeded around 800.

 

I continued searching and, to my surprise, I found a dedicated web site for this little hamlet. On the home page, just under the name of the town was the motto: “Where life is good and people care”. That got my attention.  As I perused this surprisingly well-designed web site, I was introduced to Harrington’s history, rich community life, and its bold vision for historic preservation. City leaders have completed impressive renovations and restorations, including a grand 400 seat opera house and the “Electric Hotel”, which was the first structure in the region with electricity. Owners of other properties in the business district are also following suit.

 

A Historic Preservation Commission was established to provide leadership for this noble effort. For further information about their inspiring mission, click here to see a well-done and poignant video.

I contacted Harrington civic leaders and made them aware of my photo. I learned that the building that originally housed the Ivy Leaf Café is still very much intact and in use, although the Café itself ceased operations many years ago. The structure is currently owned by the local Mayor. I decided to donate my photo to the City and was informed they would be delighted to have it. I was assured it will be placed on public display with other photos, documents, and literature of local historic significance.

 

Have you ever considered repatriating an item from your collection to its place of origin? The names of local enterprises, people, places and events grace so many of the items in our collections. People connected in some way to those items might be thrilled to be reunited with something of meaning from the past. The internet provides the vehicle to locate and contact such individuals. 

Arranging a “homecoming” for an item of antiquity is a worthwhile and enjoyable endeavor. It gives you a nice, warm, glow inside and also helps keep history alive.

(Chicago, IL) January 30, 2020 —Assouline Publishing has released a new book that highlights one of the largest and most comprehensive movie poster collections ever privately assembled. Cinema on Paper: The Graphic Genius of Movie Posters marks the first time that the collection of Dwight M. Cleveland—widely recognized as one of the world’s most significant private holdings of movie posters, spanning more than a century of film history—has ever been the focus of a major monographic book publication. The release of Cinema on Paper follows the recent widely acclaimed exhibition at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Florida, which was on view through October 29, 2019.

Assouline’s first book to focus on film posters, Cinema on Paper includes a foreword by Turner Classic Movies Primetime Host Ben Mankiewicz (grandson of Citizen Kane screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz), as well as an introduction by former New York Times Book Review Editor and noted design scholar Steven Heller. Mankiewicz’s essay notes that “[m]ovie posters represent what is perhaps the purest collision of art and commerce … they are imbued with optimism and filled with the escapist thrill of what we imagine the screen holds in store for us: romance, adventure, laughter, betrayal, tragedy, justice, redemption, truth.”

The publication reproduces more than one hundred works from Cleveland’s collection, including promotions for such iconic Hollywood classics as King Kong , Casablanca, The Godfather, and 2001: A Space Odyssey . Several of the American movie posters featured in the book appear alongside European or Asian editions advertising the same film, highlighting the collection’s geographic breadth and inviting readers to reflect on diverse visual approaches to movie marketing across cultural contexts. As mass-produced objects of popular art drawn from nearly every decade of the twentieth century, each poster in the collection provides a distinctive snapshot of the historical and social conditions from which it originated.

The book includes several works that are believed to be the only extant copies in existence, including a large-scale German-language advertisement for the Oscar-winning film Grand Hotel (1932); a title card from the late silent-era classic Manhattan Cocktail (1928), directed by Dorothy Arzner; a lobby card from Hallelujah! (1929), the first African American film released by a major studio; and a lobby-card portrait of a reclining Nazimova from Oscar Wilde's scandalous  Salomé  (1922), which was made by an exclusively gay and lesbian cast and crew. These images are accompanied by contextual annotations that invite readers to evaluate them not as promotional objects but as freestanding works of graphic art.

“Though movie posters may serve a commercial purpose, I firmly believe that they deserve to be studied, experienced, and celebrated as an art form in their own right—at their best distilling the very soul of the movies they promote into a single, indelible image,” said Cleveland. “I hope that by making my collection accessible to a wider audience through this book—exceptionally well assembled by my partners at Assouline —that I can inspire others to look more deeply at what might seem like disposable advertising products and recognize them instead as a distinguished form of popular art.”

Although Assouline sold-out its inventory of this book in 45 days, it is still currently available at www.cinemaonpaper.com .

The Indoor Advertising Show will take place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, located in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 21, 2020 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. It will be housed in the Champions Pavilion. This is the event's third Spring gathering. Damon Granger is the show's owner and promoter.

This event features 40+ year old vintage advertising of all kinds. No reproductions are permitted. The entry fee is $5.00. Children enter for free.

Other shows will be at the State Fairgrounds that weekend including the popular Flower & Patio Show and Brickworld Indy (with huge LEGO displays).

For more information, go to https://iaashow.com or call 248-910-6765.

With the tragic passing of Gary Cicci, reported last month, we are seeking a new leader for the Favorite Advertising Exhibit at the 2020 AAAA Convention. If you have volunteered at this event in the past and might be interested in serving as Coordinator, please let us know by clicking here.

February 22, 2020, Chupp Auctions. 600+ oil cans, pails, and rocker cans. Some Harley Davidson. Gas pumps and globes, lubesters, oil bottles, petroleum signs, and more. For further information, call 574-536-8005. Bid online and see lots at: auctionzip.com (Auctioneer ID#11841) or www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

March 13-14, 2020, Chupp Auctions. Mostly Oliver items, including signs, toys, catalogs, boat motors and collectibles. For further information call 574-536-8005. Bid online and see lots at: auctionzip.com (Auctioneer ID#11841) or www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

March 28-29, 2020 , Morphy Auctions. Coin-OP and Advertising Auction. Details will be available in late February. For further information click here or call 717-335-3435.

April 10-11, 2020 , Showtime Auctions. Features the antique advertising collection of Tom & Betty Polansky and more. For additional information call 734-676-9703 or click here to visit their web site.

In this column are those sought-after items of desire that seem to be elusive. If you know where any of these items can be acquired or if you have one available, please click the link to reply directly to the seeker. To place a listing in this column, click here . There is no fee for AAAA members. Up to three listings per member are permitted.

Antique American Medicine Bottles by M. Knapp... soft cover book with price guide. Printed in 2012. [email protected] or 781-248-8620 also, see my other want ad for Clarke’s ephemera and bottles.

Looking for 3 Vintage Tins: American Eagle "Oriental Mixture" tobacco (dimensions approx. 6.5" long, 2 3/4" wide, 1.5" tall); 1 Gal. Indian Head Hydraulic Brake Fluid; and Packham´s Caramel Toffee. Any offer is welcome and any condition considered. To reply, click here.

Advertising Thermometers Pin-Up Girls: Only 1900 to 1960 with or without the calendars. Any information on these thermometers would be welcome since I can not find any books, articles catalogs or anything relating to these advertising pieces. Trades and purchases sought. To reply, click here.

Looking for 3 vintage tins: American Eagle "Oriental Mixture" tobacco (dimensions approx. 6.5" long, 2 3/4" wide, 1.5" tall; 1 Gal. Indian Head Hydraulic Brake Fluid; and Packham´s Caramel Toffee. Any offer is welcome. To reply, click here.

Morton Salt, older items, and also Pacific Coast Borax, especially a crate or box. email [email protected] or call Peggy Dailey 612-522-9211

Comic Book-Related Advertising Items: Must be from before 1980. To reply, click here .

Clarke’s Vegetable Sherry Wine Bitters, Sharon, MA & Rockland, ME: All sizes, variants, smooth/pontil base. Especially need labeled Clarke’s any size! Also, any Clarke’s ephemera…trade cards, almanacs, newspaper ads, etc. Charlie Martin Jr., 781-248-8620. Email: [email protected]

George Petty: Advanced collector looking for unique or rare items. Photo’s, store displays and non paper items. NO Esquire pages. Pete Perrault. To reply, click here or call (502) 290-7661.

Ice Cream Advertising: Mr. Ice Cream desires better graphic ice cream advertising including: postcards (Advertising and RPPC), trade cards, letterheads, billheads, booklets, poster stamps, blotters, magic lantern slides, pinbacks, watchfobs, and pocket mirrors. Allan Mellis, 1115 West Montana St. Chicago, Illinois 60614-2220. [email protected] To reply, click here.

Wanted Top Condition: “Totem” (25 count) square upright cigar tin , Continental Cubes tobacco tin (medium size kidney shaped slide lid) 6” tall, Continental Cubes tobacco tin (larger flip lid pocket tin) 5” tall, Convention Hall Coffee tin (Kansas City tin) one pound GREEN and/or YELLOW version, Bob White tobacco tin small box (Ginna) size 3” by 4” by 2.5”. To reply, click here.

Stock food, poultry food, veterinary advertising wanted.  Posters, medicine packages, give-aways. Email [email protected] or call (256) 520-5211.

White Plastic 7" Tall "Pole Sign" Thermometers advertising local/regional gasoline/oil/service station brands such as: SPEEDWAY 79; SUPER 98; TOPCO; ROCKET; HANCOCK; BELL; OKLAHOMA. NOT the major national brands like Texaco. Peter Capell. To reply, click here.

Singer Sewhandy Model 20-Green-regular paint, not hammertone. To reply, click here.

National Biscuit Company, Nabisco, Uneeda Biscuit, Uneeda Bakers, Muth Bakery, NBC Bread toys, signage, tins, containers, displays, historical items. Please Email [email protected] or call (937) 205-2232.

Early Cigarette Rolling Papers: Pre-1940’s - American, Zig Zag, Braunstein Freres, Bambino, and Ottoman papers wanted. To reply, click here.

Antique/Collectible Banking and Financial System "Give-a way" and advertising items. Specifically from Pennsylvania. Alarm devices and such. To reply, click here .

Unusual one pound peanut butter tins . Tin litho or paper label. To reply, click here .

Marshmallow Tins, Smaller than 5 Pound Size. To reply, click here .

American Cookie, Biscuit and Cracker Tins and Boxes . To reply , click here .

Columbian Stove sign made by the Keeley Stove Co. in Columbia PA To reply, click here or call 717-572-3108.

 

VITAMINS advertising, displays, signs, bottles, and anything related: Hadacol is an example. Most would come from the 1930’s thru the 1970’s. Also anything related to cod-liver oil and WEIGHT-LOSS, REDUCING, ANTI-FAT, and OBESITY ITEMS. To reply, click here .

 

Early tin signs lithographed by Tuchfarber, Wells and Hope, Worcester Sign Company, Sentenne and Green, etc. I can pay more for good condition, but would be interested in any condition. Don Lurito  [email protected] also in the directory. To reply, click here .

 

Dwinell-Wright Co. Royal Ground Spice Cardboard Spice Boxes. One side displays horizontally. Approximately 3.75" by 2.25". Any type of spice is OK. To reply, click here .

 

ENSIGN Perfect and ENSIGN Perfection vertical pocket tobacco tins to enhance my collection. Feel free to contact me at 614-888-4619 or [email protected] to see if you can help fill the voids.

 

Tall 1 lb. Mallard Coffee Can - Shows duck taking off. To reply, click here .

 

Chewing gum packs, sticks, wrappers, full boxes, lifesavers, candy bar wrappers, displays, and boxes.  Anything candy related. To reply, click here . 

 

Pre-1900 advertising items related to: barbed wire, farm fence gates, tools for erecting or mending wire fences, and farm fences. Only primary material please--no ads from newspapers, etc. Larry W. Love. To reply, click here .

 

Armour Foods Signs, Cardboards, Store Displays, Die-Cuts Wanted. To reply, click here .

 

Cigar advertising tip trays, pinbacks, or any unusual cigar advertising items. Harry Cohn: To reply, click here .

     

Edmands Coffee Company, Edmands Tea Company, 1776 Coffee, American Beauty Tea, Japan Tea, Devonshire Tea, (imported by Edmands, Boston/Chicago):  Any items such as tins, signs, paper, or anything else related to the Edmands family of companies in Boston is desired. To reply, click here .

The AAAA Checkerboard is a monthly e-newsletter that is made available to all AAAA members at no cost. The mission of the Checkerboard is to increase knowledge about antique and collectible advertising among AAAA members. The Checkerboard also provides news and updates about AAAA. It is produced each month with the exception of the four months per year when the award-winning PastTimes print newsletter is published. Paul Lefkovitz ( [email protected] ) serves as the Editor of the AAAA Checkerboard. Copyright, 2020, Antique Advertising Association of America