on display

Clyde Sellers Wooden & Metal Signkit with Supplies

Signkit is painted wood with metal corners on all seams.  Metal shelves/trays–includiing some brass–of various sizes with metal handles. Two sizes of square metal container with screw-in metal caps for mineral psirits ad other liquids.  Kit includes a number of brushes and other sign-related tools and materials.  Removable front drops in from top and has hospital floorplan pasted inside–presumably for a frequent customer.

Object Number : 2014.0002.0001
Type : tools/equipment
Decade : 1950 - 1959
Object Height : 11-7/8 in. (excluding handle)
Object Width : 14-1/2 in.
Object Depth : 6-11/16 in.
Object Weight : 15 lbs.
Object History :

The signkit belonged to Clyde Sellers, a well-known Chicago area signpainter and designer.  Sellers began his career as an apprentice at Seelander & Swanson Sign Company.  Seven years later, he met Tom Cavanaugh–a top rate pictorial and gold man. They jointly established Cavanaugh & Sellers, Inc.in Homewood, IL. The two sold their company to Irwin-Peterson Sign Company, staying on for several years.

Sellers then went to work at Beverly Sign Studios/Beverly Outdoor Adv. in 1957 at its original location on South 80th and Halsted Streets.  He was hired to do window gilding, but transferred to the inside studio, doing a variety of commercial signwork.  He later moved to the design department, where he did sketches for 15 years before retiring in 1988 when Beverly closed its doors.

Sellers freelanced throughout his life at Chicago area signshops and display houses, including Pretschold Studios, Marx Sign Company, Midway Exhibits, M.D. Price Sign Studios and the in-house shop of the Merchandise Mart.

 

Status : Exhibit
Location : Pre-Electric Room
Status Location : Beverly Sign display
Donor Name : Clyde Sellers
Date of Execution : circa 1950
Condition :

Excellent: Packed with signpainting tools and materials.

 

First Contact Date : 1/23/2014
First Contact Description : E-mail from donor's daughter, Karrie Longo
Follow Up Date : 2/6/2014
Follow Up Description : Brad passed on e-mail to Tod
Object Received Date : 1/30/2014
Object Cataloged Date : 1/2/2016
  • on display