Customer Reviews

Vintage Neon (Schiffer Reference Book)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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Mr. Davidson's expertise in both the technical and artistic creation of neon is more spectacular than the lights themselves. Although expensive, this book is by far the most authoritative glimpse the craft and its appreciation than any other volume ever written. In the vernacular of the modern generation, it is 'tubular'. Almost every conceivable manner of neon is included; businesses include car showrooms, shoe stores, butcher shops, bakeries, motels, drive-ins (both theatrical and eatery), and in abundance, restaurants. Locations include many havens of neon distribution, such as the author's beloved Philadelphia, Route 66, California, and a much overlooked plethora of vivid glamour, Vancouver British Columbia (Canada). This volume is absolutely enchanting for anyone who has ever spent a night in a lodging illuminated on the exterior by a tint of pink, green, yellow, or blue. Of the 200 books in my personal 'Roadside Library', this is my favorite. Anyone who treasures illumination will consider "VINTAGE NEON" enlightening.

Len Davidson has done neon and nostalgia lovers a great big favor by compiling Vintage Neon, an eye-popping collection of over 360 classic neon signs. The photos are introduced by Davidson's captions, which in themselves are capsule stories of the signs, their history, discovery, recovery and (usually) preservation. Along the way Davidson recognizes the talents of the mom-and-pop signshop artisans who created this distinctively American folk art form.

Reading the book captures something of the excitement of neon treasure-hunters (like myself and many of you reading this!) who never go to a new town without scouting the "blue highways" and old Main Streets for the few remaining intact signs from the 30's though the 50's, particularly those figurative, sculptural pieces with pigs, cocktail glasses, flying horses, wigwams, bowling pins, majorettes, rocket ships, earth movers, cockroaches, dragons, etc. Davidson and his many contributors have felt that treasure-hunters "high" that comes with any new discovery, and you will have it, too, as you turn the pages. This makes Vintage Neon so much more than another pretty coffee-table book of color photos.

Davidson is well suited to this job. He is the founder, president and chief preservationist of the Philadelphia Museum of Neon, which finds vintage neon of note, restores and preserves it and then, instead of locking it up in some fussy museum, installs it in public spaces in and around Philly for all to see. He has amassed a great collection which his book now brings to a wider public.

The book is made all the more interesting in the telling of Davidson's own journey from MIT Sociology Ph.D., to organizational management consultant, to Roadside America treasure-hunter and neon museum director. This is the sub-text running through the book. It may sound trite to say, but here it is: Davidson's pursuit of the great roadside treasures led him to find his true life's work, and indeed, his fully-realized self.

His background in sociology serves him well here in his appreciation of the culture and aspirations of the signmakers of the era, a number of whom he has interviewed for the book. He explains the business and economic pressures that led the signmakers of the day to create these expressive, colorful, and fanciful public sculptures. It makes you stop and think about what has gone wrong with today's homogenized, corporate chainstore business climate that makes signs so boring, so predictable.

The book is organized around the photos arranged in categories, like "Legendary Logos," "Good Eats", "Moving Pictures," "It Came from Beneath the Sea", etc., 13 chapters in all. Each has a brief introduction, with the bulk of the text in the photo captions, some penned by Davidson but most of them quoting the contributor who found, photographed, or preserved the sign. The book becomes a collaboration with many voices, like the minutes of a great big nostalgic neon-lovers' annual convention.

The photos range from the good to the really great. They ae all color shots, many full-pagers. There are only a few images you have seen before in the other neon books, as those tend to concentrate more on very contemporary stuff, or on the Times Square and Las Vegas spectaculars. Some photos are of signs that are now gone or in private collections that you are unlikely to ever see. Quite a few involve highly detailed porcelain enamel finishes, sculptural steel boxes, and sequential neon animation.

I had to find fault with Vintage Neon, it would be the one chapter featuring the mass-produced neon clocks of the era. While interesting to look at, these have been seen before in the Rudy Stern book, and besides, because they are mass-produced, they lack the common thread of folk art with the balance of the material. A small complaint in comparison with all that is truly great about this book.

All you neon lovers and students of the disappearing American roadside out there are just going to love this book.

A tribute to the forgotten signmakers of the 1920's through the present. Lots of color pictures contributed by neon sign enthusiasts from around the country. Expensive, but if you like old signs, this book will make you happy.

Len Davidson has captured the mystique and hypnotic nature of neon in this larger than life book. As a glassbender in the neon trade I have longed to bring the same imagination and wonderment as seen in the photo's thoughout this book into my own neon sign designs. This book not only caputures the history of neon it also serves as a window into another era when business were rising out of the depression age and courting new and more cofident consumers with bold neon signs that were sure to evoke good feelings and good times. For lovers of history and neon this a book to have!

Len Davidson did a beautiful job in putting together an absolutely delightful collection of photographs. The wonderful captions provide a text that truly shows the passion of those who have a special appreciation for the art of figural neon signs. Anyone who has ever traveled or lived in an American city is bound recognize many past icons that were a part of our physical and cultural landscape - from the gone but not forgotten McDonald's "Mr. Speedy" to many obscure but beautiful creations of many local sign-maker/craftsmen/artists. This book is a gem!

This book succeeds on both the visuals and written text. The main appeal for most is going to be the pictures and this is filled with photo after photo of beautiful vintage neon signs. Every type of subject matter from across the country is here and they are nicely reproduced on glossy pages. Added to that are the great captions that go with each photo. You learn a little bit about the sign and the business that used the sign. This is an art from an era long gone and we're lucky to have this reference. My only complaint is that the binding is not the best for a hardcover book, but still four stars for the incredible content.

Surprisingly, the only book on the subject that I have been able to locate that details historic neon signs. The author does a wonderful job documenting these disappearing treasures. All other books Amazon offers regarding neon tends to focus on contemporary examples. I hope another volume is in the works showcasing additional neon signs that were not covered in the original book.

I just recieved this book as a gift and I love it. The book is filled with color photos of neon from around the country, and includes a fair amount of info on each sign. I was unaware this book exsisted until i recieved it, but it was a pleasant surprise. This book is a must have for vintage enthusiests, and fans of neon in general.

Properly titled VINTAGE NEON (as shown on the cover) this book contains incredible photos and narrative of these beautiful works of art. Fans of "Americana" will especially enjoy this fading slice of American Roadside Life.

Terrific book. A quality piece that makes a fine coffee table book. There a several pieces in it that I know first hand. This purchase was a follow up to a vacation in Las Vegas and a trip to the Neon Sign Musieum.

Looking forward to sending copies as holiday gifts as it really is a fine book