Signs Never Sleep

Vintage Sign Company is having a gallery discount on their artwork

Brian Laurich is the artist and owner of the Vintage Sign Company, and he creates amazing historical tavern and trade signs that look as if they have been teleported directly out of the 1800's. He recently sent an email to me and some of his regular buyers, and I wanted to pass the information along to Signs Never Sleep Blog readers as well.

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~ the original email was dated 3-2-09

Greetings to everyone, I hope everyone is having a great year.

In an attempt to make way for new work, I am offering a 20% discount on everything in
the Gallery of Available Works on my website. Here is a link to the Gallery:http://www.vintagesigns.com/available.html

I hope you take a few minutes to review the work.Also, a reminder that I am always looking for new projects to undertake. If any of you would happen to pass along my information to a friend or family member, and it leads to a commission, I will gladly pass along to you a 20% referral discount on any order you would place.

Thank you all and I hope you have a great Spring.

Sincerely,

Brian Laurich

Carved and gilded Fire Company sign from the 1800's: Re-Created by Hassan Sign Company: Cohasset, MA

This was a re-creation of a sign that was done originally in the 1860's and then re-done in 1942. The 1942 sign was a beautiful piece, all carved in pine. Due to a lack of maintenance it was pretty well rotted. We created this one out of multiple layers of HDU backed up with MDO. Including the 30" tall statue of the firefighter on top the sign was 12'-6"wife and 9' tall.

So... The original(1942) sign is now in the Bare Cove Fire Museum in Hingham Ma. This is a great place to visit as they have some great pieces of Fire memorabilia. Some great old signs, Firefighting vehicles with some great striping. I think I have some photos I will post up soon.

This sign was really a combination of router and hand carving. I digitized photos I took of the original sign to get a vector file and routed out the pieces on our MultiCam. I recessed areas and made a lot of stop cuts in the scroll work to make the carving go a little quicker. The scrolls were all carved by hand. The TORRENT lettering and the 2's were done on the router with a little bit of hand carving so that they didn't look routed. The frame and mouldings on the Torrent panel were created in EnRoute and run on the MultiCam. The little guy on top was glued up with layers of HDU and hand carved. We made the hose out of a piece of copper pipe that we wrapped with string and carved a little wooden nozzle. I wanted to update the firefighter a little bit but the client really wanted us to match the original statue that was done in the 1860's. We routed a little brass plate for the front of the statues' pedestal that has our shop logo and the date on it.

~  contributed by David Hassan of Hassan Sign Company

Carved and gilded Fire Company sign from the 1800's:  Re-Created by Hassan Sign Company:  Cohasset, MA

Heidi Howard Historic Trade & Tavern Signs: Eastford, CT

"Heidi Howard creates trade and tavern signs in the style of 18th and 19th century New England sign painters. Each sign is handcrafted from 100 to 200 year old boards, painted, lettered by hand, and aged to resemble its antique predecessor. Boards and molding are assembled with antique hand-cut nails.

In her Eastford, Connecticut studio, Heidi transforms ancient hand-planed planks into decorative objects, no two alike. Commissions are accepted. Early examples can be reproduced, or Heidi will create an imagined sign. Whether you are trying to find just the right piece of folk art for that big blank wall space in your home, or you are a collector of early American craftsmanship reproduction, you will surely enjoy a trade or tavern sign to enhance your collection."  Link

 

Heidi Howard Historic Trade & Tavern Signs:  Eastford, CT

Vintage Sign Company: Brian Laurich: Trade and Tavern Signs

"Brian Laurich combines traditional period design with the beauty and character of antique woods to create exceptional hand painted signs. His business, Vintage Sign Co., produces authentic late 18th century to early 20th century designs on authentic period woods utilizing the original painted surfaces to achieve maximum realism. Tavern signs, trade signs, gameboards and original designs using period motifs are painted using a system of hand cut stencils and free hand application."

Link

Turn of the Century Porcelain Sign of the Victorian Age: Electricity is safe! Who knew?

This is a picture of a sign that has been making the rounds around the blogosphere over the last month, and I would love to know more about it.  Where was the sign found?  Is it genuine?

It is rare for us to show a "Safety and Warning" sign here on Signs Never Sleep, as they tend to be rather dull, but this is a fantastic find.  I find this particular sign to be painted in irony, because (and I must caution you; Thomas Edison and I have a personal score to settle the next time I bump into him) during his "Electric War" with Nikola Tesla, Edison was the greatest proponent of electricity being UNSAFE.

In fact, he once electrocuted an elephant to prove his point.

Thanks to Next Nature

~written by J.D. Iles

Tavern and Trade Signs: Historical Sign Painting Techniques

 

Recently I have found myself going back to Andy Walker's sign-work again and again.  He really does unbelievable work, and I find it incredible that the signs pictured on his website have been painted in the last ten years.  They could very well be artifacts from the past, they are so convincing.

Andy explains why he does, what he does very well:

"In 18th Century Colonial America, artisans worked endless hours in order to perfect their craft. These folk usually specialized in one or two areas in order to achieve the highest degrees of quality in their products.

Over two centuries have since passed and innovative technology has made possible the mass production of goods. However, as a result of such technology, many sacrifices are made -- two of which are "quality" and "individuality".

At Colonial American Sign Company, we feel that quality and individuality are extremely important, as we treat each and every product with special care. Each piece created in our workshop is specially hand-crafted, from beginning to end. Despite the two centuries that seperate us from Colonial America, you will still receive a piece that is made within the same spirit of our country's original craftsmen.

Each wooden sign is hand-painted and given a deeply aged finish. Signs not only communicate, but create accent and style that recall simpler days."  Link

Walker's Colonial American Sign Company: 18th Century Colonial Style Tavern and Trade Signs

Andy Walker is an art teacher, living in Hallam, Pennsylvania, who creates 18th century colonial style tavern and trade signs in his spare time. 

"Sometimes it seems like a full time job, but I really do enjoy the process of capturing a little history on a signboard from time to time."

When I first discovered Andy's company (Walker's Colonial American Sign Company) I knew I wanted to expose his work to a wider audience because of how singularly unique it is.  To say there are very few people doing this type of sign-work as their primary focus is an understatement.  

Any of the signs on Andy's website could have been found in someone's attic or on display in a museum and, from their photographs, are almost indistinguishable from the real thing.  He has a terrific display of work, and I wish him all the best.  I hope that Signs Never Sleep can expose his work to a wider audience, because I would really like to see more work from Andy.

~ written by J.D. Iles

The signs of Colonial Williamsburg: A gallery

Photo by T. David

I recently found a wonderful gallery of signs from Colonial Willamsburg.

"In this gallery you will see the signs and symbols that are so plentiful throughout the historic area. Some signs are displayed in front of working shops and historic, educational displays and demonstrations. Others are true to the colonial period, but are displayed in front of unused buildings or private residences. All, however, help transport the viewer back to the 1700s for a glimpse of life prior to the Declaration of Independence. Washington was here (many times), as was Jefferson and the other founding fathers. Williamsburg was the capital of colonial Virginia (which included most of Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and westward to the Pacific Ocean). So let's tour Colonial Williamsburg starting at the Capitol building. We will visit the immediate surrounds and then take a walk down Duke of Gloucester Street, admiring the signs and symbols of Williamsburg as we pass the key establishments of the day, the Courthouse, Bruton Parish Church, and the Governors Palace. After you have experienced this "signs and symbols" journey, you are invited to start again and tour the buildings and sights of Colonial Williamsburg by visiting the companion gallery." Link