We had a swell evening at the talk given by Len Davidson about the neon and vintage signs in Philadelphia (and beyond) and I wanted to remind folks where they can see some of Davidson Neon‘s signs “in captivity”:
These signs and others are hanging in the Philadelphia Center for Architecture on Arch Street:
(This was actually taken after our talk was over, you don’t have to see it through the grates when the museum shop is open- it just made me think of them being in the zoo!)
Go dog, go!
Even if the Center is closed you can enjoy them from the street:
We also got the insider skinny regarding one of the marvelous old porcelain enamel and neon signs from Philly’s past- Pat’s King of Steaks:
This giant sign once stood high atop a now closed location, but Davidson neon now displays the enormous crown at Jack’s Firehouse just across the street from the historic Eastern State Penitentiary. Of course as soon as we heard that we knew where we were going to eat our after-talk meal!
(I hope I didn’t ruin their first date!)
As a quick aside, Jack’s is a great place to grab a bite – we loooved the pulled pork on home made corn chips- AND it is in a renovated fire house, which is pretty cool. The night we were there it was warm and balmy out, and the giant doors were thrown open to catch the night air. A great end to a great evening in Philly!
Davidson Neon has been tapped to reproduce this once glorious neon and porcelain enamel sign, to be shown atop the legendary Pat’s Steaks in South Philly. Stay tuned for more exciting sign news, and don’t forget to take a look at the signs around you!
Neon Museum Satellite Collection
Center for Architecture
1218 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 569-3188
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Pat’s King Of Steaks Sign
Jack’s Firehouse
2130 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 232-9000
View PA – Pennsylvania Retro RoadMAP in a larger map
About Mod Betty
Helium Design
Definitely on my “do-to” list
… oh, and I’ll check out Jack’s too!
L NG LIVE NE N! (buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz)
Good one Gunnar! Glad you’re not the keeper of the Coral Essex Hotel sign
Haha, yeah, Pat’s definitely needs some neon to compete with Geno’s!
Ya think!?!
I call that corner “Little Vegas”
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