Saturday, June 16, 2012

Talbott Neon

Yesterday I said I'd post a photo of the Talbott's sign, and here it is. I like to be true to my word when it's convenient, and I happened to have a picture. I like this sign a lot.

The company has been going strong since 1924 and is now operated by the third generation of Talbotts. When I was at the store, the man I talked to (I'm guessing it might have been Kirk Talbott) told me the current store is not the original location. I wish I could remember when he said they moved there, but it wasn't too long after the company was founded. Maybe the 1930's or early 40's? I'll bet this sign goes back that far. The hands and feet on the little man seem Disney-influenced.

What's your favorite neon in the Dena?

21 comments:

Shell Sherree said...

'I like to be true to my word when it's convenient...' ~ heh! That would make a wonderful t-shirt, Petrea. That little guy is very cute.

dive said...

Love it! The photo, the sign and the words Shell quoted above, that is.
Wonderful stuff, Petrea.

TheChieftess said...

Shell pegged the best line of the day!!!

Great sign!

Bellis said...

Great idea, Shell. We should give Petrea that T-shirt.

Is the Talbotts sign lit at night? My favorite sign is Zinke's, with the moving hammer. Anyone know if it was saved when Zinke's closed?

Adele said...

Put me down for a t-shirt! That line is classic. Love the sign.

I wondered the same as Bellis... I think I saw that Zinje's is up on North Lake, just below the freeway. Or did I make that up?? Don't remember seeing the sign, though...

Adele said...

Aargh! Zinke's. Not sure what a "Zinje's" is, but auto-correct is quite fond of it...

Petrea Burchard said...

Maybe I'll issue Pasadena Daily Photo t-shirts. We'll have to find a reasonably-priced outlet.

I think you're right about the Zinke's location, Adele. If I'm not crazy I did see it, and the sign, too. I believe it's in the mini-mall at Lake Avenue and Locust street, which I once featured here:
http://pasadenadailyphoto.blogspot.com/2010/01/blah-with-past.html
Maybe things are looking up for that spot.

Margaret said...

It looks like Divine glow shrouds Talbots. I'm hearing choir music.

I woildmbuyna t shirt!

Margaret said...

Damn you auto correct! That was supposed to say I would buy a t shirt.

Adele said...

That's the place. I guess when two of us see it, it must be a fact.

Petrea Burchard said...

I woildmbuyna t shirt, too, Margaret. We can print that on a shirt, why not?

Adele, we could print that on a shirt, too.

Jean Spitzer said...

Very Max Fleischer. http://thedirtythirties.tumblr.com/post/110953398/max-fleischers-olive-oyl-animation-model-sheet

Love the sign.

One of my favorite old signs in the general area is the sign for the bbq place in South Pasadena, on Fair Oaks.

Petrea Burchard said...

Ah, yes, I see your point, Jean. I think we're narrowing this down to the 1930's. Far be it from me to call Talbott's and ask.

Anonymous said...

Zinke's was at the SE corner of Madison and Colorado. It was the go-to place for shoe repair from the time that I was a child. When I returned to Pasadena in the late 80s, I was pleased to see them still there...until I left some shoes there, found out that the company was being run by new people, and the workmanship was dreadful.

Life goes on, businesses are sold (along with their histories and goodwill), and things can go downhill.

BaysideLife said...

I love neon signs. At night does this glow red? or white?

Petrea Burchard said...

Too true, Anonymous. I did a couple of posts about Zinke's at the old location but after the way I was treated when I complained about the shoddy workmanship, I did not go back.
http://pasadenadailyphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/Zinke%27s

Bayside, I'm looking for an answer to that question myself. I'm sure I've driven that way at night but I've never noticed.

ben wideman said...

Glad to see that Pasadena's neon is still being blogged about!

Petrea Burchard said...

Hi Ben! As you well know, we never run out of stuff.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

like this one better. you took great advantage of the backlighting

Petrea Burchard said...

Luck.

I want to know how the photographer got up on the level to take the pic you had.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Maybe the 1881 Club next door gave him access to the roof