Fantastic original circa 1950s Schmidt’s Ale of Philadelphia illuminated Fluraflex advertising sign, manufactured by Raycon Manufacturing Co., Inc. of Erie, Pennsylvania.
Measures approximately 26" wide.
This is a great early piece of Philadelphia breweriana featuring a long ribbed/textured reverse-painted glass advertising panel reading “Schmidt’s Ale of Philadelphia” in classic Old English-style lettering. The glass panel is housed in its original metal fluorescent light box and gives off a dramatic glow when illuminated.
Raycon Manufacturing Co. was founded in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1946 and became known for its Fluraflex Display line of illuminated advertising signs. These signs used reverse-painted glass graphic panels mounted in metal fluorescent housings and were commonly displayed on back bars, counters, walls, and tavern windows. Raycon produced advertising displays for a number of Pennsylvania breweries, including Schmidt. The company ceased production around 1957, dating this example to the late 1940s–1950s.
Schmidt’s was produced by Christian Schmidt Brewing Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one of the city’s historic brewing names.
This sign has a tremendous amount of authentic age and patina. There is substantial paint loss to the reverse-painted glass, particularly throughout the black background, with scattered losses around the lettering and graphics. The metal housing also shows heavy surface wear, scratches, scuffs, finish loss, stains, and general age-related wear, but there is no significant rust noted.
Both end caps are missing, leaving the ends of the metal housing open as shown in the photos.
Despite the condition issues, the original glass remains extremely cool and the sign has excellent character. When illuminated, light shines through the areas of paint loss and creates a very distinctive aged appearance. It is a great survivor from the early era of fluorescent tavern advertising and would make an outstanding display piece for a serious breweriana or Philadelphia brewery collection.
Light is working and sign illuminates as shown.
Please review all photos carefully, as they are an important part of the condition description.
Ships carefully packed from a clean and smoke-free environment.
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