Chicagold is one of the only sign companies in Chicago that specializes in historic gold leaf lettering. Gold leaf lettering adds an eye-catching quality to signage and has been a Chicago art tradition since the 1860's.
The Chicagold sign-making team of Robert Frese and Bruce Buckley have a combined experience of well over 40 years. Each of them, however, arrived at this place from very different directions. Robert began the study of traditional sign making in his hometown of Long Beach, California. It was during his apprenticeship at Hardy Sign Co., beginning in 1976, that he learned sign painting and fabrication. After his apprenticeship, Robert spent the next several years working in the sign industry in both California and Chicago. It was while working in Chicago for F.O. Carlson & Co. that he learned to work with gold leaf; and after a couple of years, "I developed enough confidence to work on my own." So in 1986, Robert started Chicagold Sign Company, and for the past twenty-two years he has dedicated himself to mastering the art of gilding and sign design.
Bruce Buckley developed an interest in lettering and graphic design soon after he was old enough to hold a pencil. At the age of twelve, this entrepreneur started his own sign service and continued making signs through high school and college. After a detour of twenty years in the field of broadcast communications, he made his way back to the sign-making industry. He finds sign work to be more satisfying and it is what he is truly passionate about.
Together, this team at Chicagold Sign Company is keeping the historic art of gold leaf lettering alive and well. LINK
~contributed by Christine Baker
