How to hang a Victrola sign.

[Mlund]

While we will never make it as professional sign hangers, we were able to get the Victrola sign hung and lighted today. Hanging a 8ft x 3 ft 150 lb Victrola sign 11 feet up on a wall was a bit of a challenge. I am happy to report that the sign and all 3 sign hangers survived the ordeal. A special thanks to Curt Angstman and my very understanding wife - I would have never gotten it up without their help. It is now securely hanging in it’s new home and lighting my music building.

 

Edited December 19, 2021 by Mlund

[phonogfp]

Beautiful!

 

The proper equipment and competent helping hands made it happen.  Congratulations - it looks great!

 

George P.

[Mlund]

Thanks George. I was so glad

to get it home and hung.

[melvind]

Fantastic sign. What a nice addition to your beautiful room. I loved the pictures of it going up! Sure wish I had one and had room for it if I did! Congratulations!

[Tinfoilphono]

So totally amazing in every way. I am awe-struck.

 

[Fran604g]

Stellar, and no easy task! I beg to differ however, I think you could make a fine sign installer. 

[CurtA]

Thanks for letting me help, Mike, it was a great afternoon...

 

The sign went up without much trouble, fishing the wiring up the wall to the attic was a little tricky...

Edited December 20, 2021 by CurtA

[Mlund]

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. It is really quite a spectacular sign. Here is a photo showing it lit up.

[Tinfoilphono]

Wow. Even more amazing when seen like that! Sensational!

[Fran604g]

A real statement piece, and great secondary lighting! 

[RodPickett]

34 minutes ago, Fran604g said:

A real statement piece, and great secondary lighting! 

We collectors call that "mood lighting".  A great piece for sure. 

[phonogfp]

Gee, a glass of wine, soft music, a cozy couch, and that soft lighting would put me in the mood...to sleep!

 

Seriously, it looks fabulous, Mike!  Is there any history on its original location?

 

George P.

[Mlund]

3 hours ago, phonogfp said:

Gee, a glass of wine, soft music, a cozy couch, and that soft lighting would put me in the mood...to sleep!

 

Seriously, it looks fabulous, Mike!  Is there any history on its original location?

 

George P.

Hand lettering on the sign says L.F.R. Bellows Co., Detroit Michigan. L.F.R Bellows was a major sign company in Detroit that installed and serviced signs. That would suggest that this sign originally hung outside a Victor dealer somewhere in the Detroit area. I am hopeful of finding a picture of this sign hanging in it’s original location in Detroit. If anyone has any photos of any Victor dealers in the Detroit area I would love to see them.

[phonogfp]

I wonder if the Bellows Company (or the manufacturer, if different, since Bellows is shown as "Agent") offered these signs in The Voice of the Victor to dealers? 

 

George P.

[Mlund]

Great question!! Was LFR Bellows a licensed agent to sell these signs on behalf of Victor to dealers or could they have been a manufacturer of these signs? I found this 1924 advertisement in which they are described as designers and manufacturers of electric and flexlume signs which would suggest that they could have designed and manufactured these signs for Victor to sell to their dealers. 

[dbwhite]

Wonderful sign - congratulations!

[CurtA]

Here is an article and another ad...

[Mlund]

 

 

Victor Sign number 2 is well on its way to being restored and we will then see how to hang a large 12 foot vertical Victor Sign. 

Here are a few photos of the sign as was when I purchased it. It was in rough shape with several broken and missing letters and missing HMV logo glass. It was being used as ceiling decoration along with other antiques in a TGI Fridays in Texas.

 

 

Here are a few photos as its restoration begins.

 

 

Metal repaired, broken letters replaced and missing  Nipper/ HMV Logos replaced.

 

 

Restoration is now nearly complete. Just need to replace the access doors, crate and ship.

 
 

 

I elected to keep as much of the original paint and finish as possible. I prefer a little crusty and original over new paint and looking like new. I will post updates on the final restoration and hanging.
 

My sign restorer has been dragging his feet a little recently as he said he likes showing it off to his customers.

 

Edited January 28 by Mlund

[phonogfp]

Wow - that's great, Mike!

 

That sign could tell stories...  How did you ever wrest it from TGI Fridays?

 

Congratulations!

 

George P.

[Mlund]

1 minute ago, phonogfp said:

Wow - that's great, Mike!

 

That sign could tell stories...  How did you ever wrest it from TGI Fridays?

 

Congratulations!

 

George P.

I bought it at auction. I believe the restaurant went out of business and they were auctioning all of the restaurant’s contents. It was mostly restaurant equipment and fixtures and a few antiques including this sign. 

[melvind]

I've always thought it would be fun to have one of these, but even if I could ever find one I have nowhere in my house where it would fit. Congratulations and keep us posted as you get it hung. It's a wonderful and historic sign!

[Tinfoilphono]

What an incredible find. I'm awestruck. And the restoration is perfect -- retaining its history. Wonderful job.

[Mlund]

14 hours ago, melvind said:

I've always thought it would be fun to have one of these, but even if I could ever find one I have nowhere in my house where it would fit. Congratulations and keep us posted as you get it hung. It's a wonderful and historic sign!

Finding space for these big signs is definitely a challenge. A 12 foot vertical sign takes high ceilings and lots of space. I have 12’-16’ ceiling in the music building, and it was still a challenge to figure out where I could hang it. My plan is to hang it here in front of the air return, behind the Loriot where the Popper Clarabella Orchestrion currently resides. The ceiling is about 14.5 ft here. That will put it directly opposite from the other Victor sign.

[CurtA]

I can't wait to see it in person, but the installation has been causing some anxiety...

[Fran604g]

Wow, that sign is over the top! Super nice find Mike, congratulations on another stellar acquisition!