Pickers, sellers, and classic followers are at all times hoping to discover a treasure in an previous constructing or a house’s closet. These unintentional finds gas collectors’ desires, however when somebody comes throughout a very uncommon merchandise, the fact is a buzz of pleasure. One such merchandise is up for public sale now with Milestone Auctions, a valued WorthPoint Trade Associate, and followers of signage and automobilia will certainly have an interest.
An upcoming public sale that Milestone can be dealing with incorporates a classic bullnose Harley-Davidson porcelain and neon signal that’s nonetheless in its unique crate, by no means having been used or uncovered to the weather. It’s a uncommon classic “unicorn” and is anticipated to promote for between $200,000 and $400,000. The story behind it’s the stuff of legends.
The signal is in unbelievable situation contemplating its age, however even when it was constructed, it was a stellar instance of the design and know-how of the time. It was manufactured by the Everbrite Signal Firm in Milwaukee, WI. It was a “two-sided, double bullnose” design, which meant the neon tubes wrapped across the signal on each side. The signal could possibly be seen from any route and hung up or displayed in a number of methods. Apparently, the corporate that made the signal nonetheless exists.
A NEON TIME CAPSULE
So how does one come to search out and personal an indication like this? Effectively, the story is a part of the appeal. It begins in Ithaca, NY, within the early Nineteen Thirties. The signal was initially ordered by Ellsworth A. “Shorty” Schaber. Based on the public sale description, Schaber operated a cycle store round Might of 1926, nevertheless it was principally for repairs and elements. In 1927, he attended a gathering of Harley-Davidson sellers 1927, as he was contemplating increasing into gross sales. He quickly grew to become a certified Harley gross sales agent. On the time, it appeared like a stable enterprise thought; nevertheless, the inventory market crash of 1929 and the following financial local weather made opening a dealership for bikes, when most households had been struggling to purchase bread, an not possible activity.
Whereas Schaber might need reconsidered in a number of years, World Battle II got here alongside, and he left Ithaca to serve within the Military. To safeguard the signal for doable future use after his service, he stashed it in a close-by one-room schoolhouse that he typically used for storage. There, it sat, enclosed within the unique transport crate. Unbelievably, the signal remained there, below a canvas tarp, till Schaber handed away in 1984.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?
Provenance is essential with auctions, particularly these providing uncommon gadgets found after a long time. For this signal, Milestone did a deep dive into the historical past of possession. In 1984, after Schaber’s demise, the signal was a part of an public sale, and a collector bought it. That purchaser owned the signal till 2023, after which he bought it privately. The collector who bought it has now consigned it to Milestone, they usually count on an excessive amount of curiosity within the signal.
With out uncrating the signal, the neon tubes have been examined a number of instances and nonetheless glow brightly. Milestone estimates it might need been lit up for a complete of 5 minutes since its creation. Miles King, co-owner of Milestone Auctions, mentioned, “The Harley bullnose neon signal was shipped to a newly licensed supplier within the early Nineteen Thirties, nevertheless it remained in its personal digital time capsule—an unopened unique manufacturing unit crate—for a lot of a long time.”
WHAT TO EXPECT FOR THE SALE
With any classic merchandise, many elements impression the value it might promote for at public sale. This signal has the right storm of benefits: It’s uncommon, it’s in glorious situation, and it’s an iconic instance of the period of neon indicators, which dotted highways all around the nation for many years.
It’s not the one merchandise within the public sale that may have collectors clamoring to position bids. There’s a second Harley-Davidson signal, with the HD brand’s traditional protect and bar design. It additionally dates from the Nineteen Thirties, is double-sided, and nonetheless works. With neon indicators from this era, an enclosure is constructed across the neon and porcelain elements to guard the tubes and paint. It’s referred to as “the can.” The one on this signal is unique and in glorious situation. A earlier proprietor restored the neon tubing, taking the time to make it practically an identical to the unique manufacturing unit work.
The outline for this signal signifies that the Blommel Signal Co. of Dayton, Ohio, probably made it. The corporate was a significant provider of neon signage, and this signal is a wonderful instance of the craftsmanship and high quality work the corporate was identified for. Earlier than it got here to Milestone, it was the property of a motorbike museum, which made certain it was properly cared for and maintained. Milestone appraisers estimate it ought to go for between $100,000 and $200,000
Expertise has left neon signage prior to now, however collectors and classic sellers nonetheless adore it. The glow of letters and logos on a neon signal will be seen from fairly a distance and was as soon as a de facto guidepost alongside the American roadside. The “Indicators, Bikes, and Extra Spectacular Public sale” sale will happen on September 28, 2025, by way of stay webcast.
If you wish to see extra Harley-Davidson neon indicators which have bought, we’ve got virtually 3,000 in our WorthPoint Value Information.
Brenda Kelley Kim lives within the Boston space. She is the creator of Sink or Swim: Tales From the Deep Finish of In every single place and writes a weekly syndicated column for The Marblehead Weekly Information/Essex Media Group. When not writing or strolling her snorty pug, Penny, she enjoys yard gross sales, flea markets, and badminton.
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