Vintage Bear Service Neon Sign – NS1917
This Bear Service tin litho neon sign is more than an advertisement – it’s a rare and vibrant survivor of American automotive history, restored to working glory while preserving its original face, character and genuine vintage patina.
The bear’s playful stance and smiling face gave a friendly image to what was otherwise a technical, mechanical service. It’s a perfect blend of Americana advertising and roadside pop art.
Description
Historical Background
The Bear Service neon sign comes from a classic era of American roadside advertising, dating back to the golden age of the automobile. The Bear Manufacturing Company, founded in Rock Island, Illinois in 1917, was one of the pioneers of wheel alignment and balancing equipment. Their name, “Bear Service,” quickly became synonymous with trustworthy automotive care during the mid-20th century.
Shaped like a cheerful bear holding a service placard, these neon signs lit up service stations, garages, and alignment shops across the U.S. from the 1930s through the 1960s. Their bold colors and cartoonish charm not only advertised services but also made businesses instantly recognizable to passing motorists.
This particular sign represents an important piece of American car culture history, when neon signage was both functional and artistic, guiding travelers through highways and small towns alike.
Original neon advertising signs like this are highly collectible because:
- They represent a lost era of handcrafted roadside Americana.
- They feature company mascots and characters that are rare in modern advertising.
- Neon signs from the 1930s–1950s are scarce survivors, as many were scrapped or destroyed when businesses modernized.
Bear Service
Specifications:
- Type: Single-Sided Genuine Vintage Neon Sign
- Style: Silhouette Shape / Tin-Litho / Neon Lighting
- Company: Bear Service
- Product: Wheel Alignment
- Date of Manufacture: 1930s–1950s
- Place of Manufacture: U.S.A.
- Glass Color: Multi-color – Red, White, Green, and Yellow
- Dimensions: 35.25" wide X 52" tall 61 lbs
- Condition: Original Genuine Tin Litho; Sign Face Unrestored (Cleaned Only); Fully Restored Neon & Electrical
- Neon Details: All Neon Glass, Solid-State Transformers, Wiring, Mounts, and Switches Have Been Fully Replaced
- Hanging Details: Comes with H.J. Nick’s Exclusive “Fast Hanger Bar” for Perfectly Level Display
- Switching: Includes Separate Pull Chain for Easy On/Off Switching Without Unplugging
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ArtFactory.com & H.J. Nick Brass Tag Certification Details
The H.J. Nick Brass Tag Certification ensures each piece to be the genuine article. Backed by our over a century of experience, with our word is our bond reputation and guaranteeing or your money back “forever". The H.J. Nick Brass Tag Certification makes this item one of the highest appreciating, collectible investments that you can make. These items can be insured at stated value, usually on your home owners policy, for little added premium. Thus, making this a safer investment than even those insured by the FDIC, is much more fun to own, and puts you in control instead of the bank.
When we use the terms "Museum Quality" and "Historically Correct," we are indicating our world-class process. We absolutely preserve all original signs, badges, glass with anomalies, natural aged patinas, and everything that makes a vintage item collectible. Maintaining non-structural damage, all age, wear, and tear is proudly displayed to showcase each item's unique charm.
Due to our earned reputation, we have the good fortune to be in high demand by collectors. Because most of our items have a waiting list, if you're looking for a specific collectible, please ask to be put on our first come, first served list (refundable deposit required).
We are the oldest and largest seller of fine art, historically correct, museum quality antiques and genuine, investment quality classic Americana.
World Class Collector Investments
- Restored To Full Working Order
- Historically Correct
- Genuine From Top To Bottom
- Delivered To Your Home
All Vintage Memorabilia Offered Is A Genuine Collectable And Appreciable Asset
All Items Are Of Highest Museum Quality World Class Collector Level
Our Latest Investment Quality Authentic Vintage Neon Signs
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