Posted by Danny Baronian on June 11, 2003
The question came up recently as to where the Brook album was. So I called Esoteric last Wednesday. Paul Glawson answered the phone and told me the album was in the safe and that they were planning on that piece going to the Sign Museum
While talking with Paul, he informed me they were cleaning up the store, and would be holding a garage sale around the first week of July. I called Lola to get more info, and she was aware of the garage sale. Paul stated they would be sending out about 2000 flyers to those that have purchased from the store in the past.
All that remains at the time will be placed outside and sold. Paul explained that the plan is to get rid of everything in the store except the sign supplies which at present they will continue to sell. The brothers hope to wrap the store up in the next few months, and sell the sign supply business through a broker before the end of the year.
With concern as to where Rick’s work would end up at such a general sale, I called Lola and discussed coming down.
Drove down and met Paul at the shop and spent most of the day looking through what was left. It was hard just driving up to the place, as it doesn’t look like most of us remember it. The shop now has 2" copper pipes installed vertically in the front much like you’d see on a jail cell. Rick was concerned since two cars have rammed into the store, and people are beginning to scratch the windows. The front windows and door are still the same.
Entering the store was a shock. I think all of us have vivid memories of what greeted us behind those doors! The front looked the same, but it wasn’t. The gate is gone, the samples on the case are all gone, most all of the glass pieces that hung on the wall are gone, All that’s left in the front is a large Rawson & Evans piece Rick restored and a few signs on the ceiling. A lot of the tin cans they collected remain, but as far as glasswork or signs, they’re gone. Gone too is the turtle doorstop that would cause Rick to smile everytime someone tripped on it.
His office looks similar but without 95% of the glass pieces gone, the drafting table where he drew and pounced on is gone. In the work area where most gilded during the Conclave the glass is gone with the exception of a few pieces.
In the angel gilding area the only thing that remains is the corner where Rick had the cubbyholes with his tools. The ceiling and walls have been stripped of all the cool stuff hanging from the ceiling; the angel gild sink is gone as well as the glue chip box and cutting tables. In its place are worktables for Dave Glawson’s electronic business, test equipment, computers and electronic parts.
According to Paul the plan is to turn the store into an electronics parts house, and that’s the purpose of the garage sale to clean the place up.
going. While at the store there were two antique brokers.
Saturday, Pat Mackle (spl?) and I took Lola to lunch. She was upset as she still misses Rick and is sad to see something she and Rick worked on so hard and long on, head in the direction it’s going.
At the Conclave this year, I looked at Rick’s illuminated pages of the first 7 chapters of Matthew, which was some of Rick’s earliest works. For the past 7-8 years they have been in the same place, the flat file. After Rick’s funeral several friends searched for the pages, since they belonged to Lola. The one place they didn’t look was the flat files and I was hoping to retrieve them and get them to Lola.
After looking through all the drawers without success, I asked Paul if he’d seen them. He said they’ve searched thoroughly for the pages without finding them. He said it would be all right to pass this and post on the board; Lola is also aware of this post.
The pages remain missing; it would be nice to get them back to her. If anyone has any information about this work, please email me and I’ll pass that information on to Lola. You could email her directly, but she is still not familiar with handling email. She would appreciate any cards or letters you would want to send, she’s still overwhelmed with the phone calls. Her address is:
Lola F. Grey
1024 West R St.
Wilmington, CA 90744
Danny W. Baronian
Sarah C
Mike Jackson - Esoteric New FacadeI had never met Rick or seen his place but it is all very sad. It is a lesson to all to have a will making plans for what will happen if you go and always have legal arrangements to protect your loved ones or partners.
Danny snapped this shot of the front of the old shop on his recent visit. Not much more I can add.
Mike
D. Bernhardt
CarolHi Mike...yes...it looked like that when we were at the funeral. Rick was putting those on just before his death. It was a shock!
Bob Ficucellgasp.
Mike, that says more than I could have ever imagined.
Raymond ChapmanMike,
I had an art teacher tell me, "If all the taste you have is in your mouth, your in trouble" !
Ron BerlierIt just breaks your heart, doesn't it? How sad. Just like hearing the news of Rick's death, there are no words that can express the feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Ray and Carol, I couldn't agree with you more. I still think of Rick often ... even had a couple of dreams about him suggesting that he was still with us, but very ill.
Denver Chapter of the Letterheads