Bostonian Shoes Double-Faced Opal Glass & Tin Sign

“Bostonians Shoes” double-faced, ripple tin sign with opal glass lettersand panels in addition to hinged accessdoors with brass clips. Museum has scan of original blueprint.

Object Number : 2005.0070.0001

Type : signs/displays

Sub Types : Array

Decade : 1920 - 1929

Object Height : 47-3/4 in. (without bracket)

Object Width : 72 in.

Object Depth : 8-1/4 in.

Object Weight : 200 lbs. (est.)

Object History :

Sign as well as a large inventory of sign components were moved from the original Flexlume Sign Corp. factory in Buffalo, NY, to Flexlume’s current location at 1464 Main St. in downtown Buffalo. Paddy Rowell’s father, F.A. “Al” Rowell, acquired the physical assests of the production sign company in 1945 at auction. The inventory remained virtually undisturbed until the 1990’s when sign collectors became aware Flexlume’s history – particularly with regard to opal glass letter signs. The museum became aware of the Flexlume collection in 2000 and contacted Paddy Rowell to arrange a visit. The visit prompted the donation of the museum’s collection of Flexlume items over the course of the next several years.

Status : Storage

Location : Offsite

Status Location : Leon Warehouse

Donor Name : Jean and Paddy Rowell, Sr.

Contact Donor : 1

Company : Flexlume Sign Corp.

Date of Execution : 11-01-1926 (date of blueprint)

Condition :

Numerous paint scratches, but no rust. Opal glass “crest” panels are missing, which were replaced by flat milk glass.

Restoration Cost : $80.00 for flat glass

Restoration Date : 9/10/2004

Restoration Description :

Fair: Missing opal glass was temporarily replaced with flat milk glass. Architectural Stained Glass then fabricated slump-molded replacement opal glass panels.

First Contact Date : 6/15/2001

First Contact Description : Phone call to arrange visit

Deed of Gift Form Received : 10/20/2005

Object Received Date : 9/18/2005

Object Cataloged Date : 10/6/2006