LiveAuctionTalk.com Highlights Neon Signs in its Weekly Free Article
Rosemary McKittrick’s weekly column provides in depth coverage of the auction market. Her website is packed with useful information.
[USPRwire, Fri Sep 08 2006] The name Artkraft Strauss may not mean much to you. But I bet the sliding New Year’s Eve ball in Times Square is something you remember?
Artkraft Strauss is the company that created the first New Year’s Eve ball 87 years ago.
Since the earliest days of neon, Artkraft Strauss has been shining brightly in Times Square with their trademark, one-of-a-kind grand scale displays.
An estimated 10 million people walk through Times Square every week making it one of the most important spots in the world for outdoor advertising. Since 1937, Artkraft Strauss has had a Coke sign installed there. In fact, the company made most of the illuminated signs sparkling in Times Square in the 20th century.
The huge 65-foot-high “Coke” display featured an open bottle being drunk through a straw. There was also the “Happy New Year” sign used when Artkraft Strauss controlled the annual descent of the Times Square ball.
You don’t have to be a social historian or filmmaker to appreciate them. These one-of-a-kind beauties are nostalgic gift horses.
The company recently sold nearly 100 of the historic signs illuminated by vibrating gas molecules and also sold drawings and lights symbolizing 20th century New York. They went on the block May 18 at Freeman’s auction house in Philadelphia.
The Coca-Cola Sign mentioned sold for $27,485 in the auction.
Read the entire article at www.LiveAuctionTalk.com.
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