I know a little about Gilco since the museum has three of their signs in the collection. They were production-based, meaning they mfged. quantities numbers of point-of-purchase style signs as opposed to being custom. They were high-end, doing some of the nicer pop glass signs in the 1930s-40s (and m...

The sudden passing of “Aussie Johnâ€￾ Jordan leaves a hole in our hearts, and certainly a hole in the trade. But it’s a hole that can be at least partially filled with the memories we all have of John, and with the knowledge and skills he shared so freely. His sense of humor, his passion for sign making, and gilding in particular, and his wry, mischievous smile will be missed.
As a means by which to honor John’s spirit, The American Sign Museum is accepting contributions in John’s memory, all of which will be acknowledged to the Jordan family. Your tax deductible donation will be used to further the museum’s mission of preserving and extending education of traditional sign-making skills.
You can mail a check to: American Sign Museum/407 Gilbert Avenue/Cincinnati, OH 45202. All donations will be acknowledged.

All those interested in the Safari at the Zoo international Letterheads meet can now go to: http://www.signweb.com/lh06/ We'll be adding maps and some fine tuning on graphics, but all the basic info is there, including on-line registration. Hope to see y'all.

Just wanted to let everyone know that SIGNS OF THE TIMES in conjunction with the American Sign Museum is hosting the international Letterheads meet, June 16-18 at the Cincinnati Zoo. We've got 18 different seminars lined up, plus the usual panel jam, a 30 x 50-ft. tent for vehicle graphics, and of c...

Signs of the Times magazine, in conjunction with the American Sign Museum, is honored to be the hosting the 2006 National Letterheads Meet, set for June 16-18 in Cincinnati, OH. In keeping with the popularity of the 1994 meet, the venue will once again be the Cincinnati Zoo. American Sign Museum fou...

The museum has a number of vintage smalt signs, and they seem to be divided into two categories: Those with sand smalt (which is dull or flat colored) and those with glass smalt (which has a certain sparkle when exposed to the sun or other light). I make this destinction when doing tours and wonder ...

Effective later today (March 3), you can register online for the Grand Opening of the American Sign Museum, which is set for Thursday, April 28. We are asking everyone to register so that we can plan accordingly for the number of visitors. Complete information, including special rates for hotel acco...

For those of you who can't make it to Cincinnati any time soon, you can now (finally) take a 9-1/2 minute virtual tour by going to the home page-- http://www.signmuseum.org --and clicking on either the Quicktime or RealPlayer format versions. The tour was "done" in early October and we've ...

Unless there are objections, Signs of the Times and the American Sign Museum would like to host the National Letterheads meet in 2006. The meet would be held in conjunction with the magazine's 100th anniversary (since May, 1906). Many will remember the meet Signs of the Times hosted at the Cincinnat...

Per the announcement about the opening of the American Sign Museum, we are still in need of samples of three-dimensinal letters--and especially salesman's samples of same and/or catalogs/brochures. Please e-mail or phone me if you have letters that you think think would be of interest and that you w...

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Rick Glawson Rawson & Evans pieces, acquired from his estate with donations primarily from individual Letterheads, has finally arrived in Cincinnati. We will be carefully (and temporarily) unpacking the pieces to check condition.
Secondly, the Museum will be open to the Public beginning October 1 . . . although anyone traveling through Cincinnati is certainly welcome to give me a call (night or day) for a personal preview tour. It will not be finished by October 1, but there will be plenty to see. The official press release follows:

Museum to Open for Public Tours October 1
Globes will be spinning, lights will be flashing, neon will be humming, and the Big Boy will be smiling when the American Sign Museum opens its doors to the public October 1-2, from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. in conjunction with the Essex Studios Fall Open House. Essex Studios is home to the American Sign Museum Workshop, as the Museum has officially designated its facility, and more than 50 artists working in a variety of media who will also be opening their doors during the Fall Open House.
The opening will be highlighted by the unveiling of “Signs on Main Street,â€￾ a prototype exhibit sponsored by the International Sign Association, and a timeline history of the sign industry, as told through the evolution of three-dimensional letters, sponsored by Gemini, Inc. of Cannon Falls, MN. The Museum Workshop will also include two sign gallery areas where you can view both restored signs and signs waiting to be restored. American Sign Museum President, Tod Swormstedt, will be on hand to give public tours during the two-day open house.
The Museum Workshop encompasses a 3800 sq. ft. area staging area, an 800 sq. ft. open lobby display space and an adjacent room of 1100 sq. ft. where Bill Dundas—resident sign restorer— works his magic restoring many of the signs that comprise the Museum’s growing collection. The overflow of restored signs are being stored in a third room.
The Museum’s “paper archives,â€￾ including its library of books and vintage catalogs, artwork, blueprints and photos, will continue to be housed at nearby ST Media Group offices until all the pieces can be brought together in a suitable setting for the Museum proper. ST Media Group, publisher of the sign industry bible, Signs of the Times magazine since 1906, has been a strong advocate of the American Sign Museum since its inception.
Current discussions with Cincinnati’s planning and zoning departments will hopefully soon allow an outdoor gallery in the Essex Studios parking lot where some of the Museum’s larger signs can be displayed. Also in the works is a display area honoring the contributions of Rick Glawson, former Museum board member and beloved friend and mentor to many fledgling and veteran signpainters. The area will honor the art of gilding and signpainting that Glawson was so instrumental in preserving. Letterheads and friends of the late Glawson’s donated more than $14,000 so that a collection of select Rawson and Evans glass pieces could be purchased from the Glawson estate.
A formal Grand Opening gala has been announced for April 28, 2005. For more information about the American Sign Museum and the Workshop opening, or to arrange a private tour, call
513-421-2050, ext. 336 or 513-258-4020. You can also visit the website: www.signmuseum.org

The Museum will continually evolve and I'm already concerned about having outgrown our existing space of approximately 6000 sq. ft. Thanks to all of you for your support over the past several years!