CUSTOM COMMISSION: GILLCO NEONGLAS HOUSING FOR OLD READING BEER ILLUMINATED SIGN
This is why I love my work. Nothing makes me happier than having a satisfied customer and this is one of my favorite stories.
In February of 2019, I hand delivered this sign housing to the Blue-Grey Show in Herndon, Virginia which allowed this collector to light this ‘Old Reading Beer’ sign for the first time in decades. Originally made by the Gill Glass Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under their NeonGlas brand name, we patterned this housing off an original generously loaned to us by Breweriana collector Chris Watt.
The glass for the sign could not be lit up because the housing was missing. What made this job so special was having the owner explain that every time he lights up this sign, it brings back the fond memories of his father. That is something that will stay with me forever and makes working on the signs so very rewarding. Thank you Thad and Chris for giving me the chance to collaborate with you on this. It is a very fond memory.
Shown here is an original GILLCO NeonGlas housing (background) off of which the housing was patterned and our period authentic re-creation (foreground):
Chris and Thad mate the sign face and mirroring glass to the new housing to lit the sign for the first time in over four decades:
