Wooden signkit has front that “sits” into front and held in place by “feet” at bottom and secured with latches mouned on each side. Top section has two shelves with metal trays/shelves, some of which are made from former signs. Bottom section is open for larger materials and tools. Kit is filled wioth various signpainter tools and materials, including a Beugler “DeLuxe” striper and a number of brushes of all sizes and types.
Signkit was given to donor by Mark Oatis around 2006 when he moved from Denver to Las Vegas.
Notes on Kenny Wiese from Mark Oatos, “I knew Kenny pretty well, albeit for only a short while. I think he worked at the old General Outdoor during his career, as well as for commercial shops. I know he was in the union, and that he also at some point had his own small shop with his own clients. I believe he moved to Colorado from Nebraska: I have an old business card of his…somewhere. He was an accomplished sign painter and fine artist.I became acquainted with Ken about 1990, through my friendship with Earl Stiegelmeyer. He was already retired by then—probably in his 80’s–, and within a few years he and his wife moved into assisted living. They never had children. I used to go and visit him. I wish I had more specifics about his life and history.
He was a super friendly guy and had very wide interests. He was a fan and collector of Norman Rockwell illustrations. I have a BIG stack of Saturday Evening Post covers he saved, as well as a letter he got from Rockwell. Also, I have his meticulously-kept “morgue file” folders, filled with cropped advertising ephemera and marked “sports cars”, “ladies fashions”, etc. An indispensable, pre-digital resource. I’ve been struggling with how to keep storing these things, even as I try to unclutter my own mountain of “indispensable” stuff!
He gave me the small beautiful reverse-glass nameplate, shown. (Sorry about the blurry photo.) It features an unusual effect of black letters with a bright gold drop shade. This definitely belongs in the American Sign Museum; if you would like to display it in your collection, let me know. As to the kits, I am so glad you’ve got them. I suspect that for now you may only be able to catalogue and archive those, as I note that the current (excellent) exhibits already include sign painter’s tools and kits. Perhaps an eventual expansion will permit their display.”
Good: Signkit is in very good condition with normal wear-and-tear and paint drippings. Handle is missing.
Set of Glass Panel Samples