The Neon Owl That Lit Up America – NS7200
Inside the Legacy of the Wise Potato Chips Sign
A Beacon from the Roadside
If you’ve ever driven down a sleepy highway and caught a flash of electric blue and yellow glowing from a storefront window, you may have witnessed a legend — the Wise Potato Chips neon sign.
This isn’t just advertising. It’s Americana in neon gas and glass — a hand-crafted slice of history that bridges early 20th-century small-town grit with mid-century advertising brilliance. And at its heart? A glowing, wide-eyed owl that’s been watching over snack lovers for over a century.
Description
The Birth of a Snack Icon
The story of Wise Potato Chips begins in 1921, in the modest back room of a grocery store in Berwick, Pennsylvania. Earl Wise, the grocer, had a problem: too many potatoes. His solution? Slice them, fry them, salt them — and sell them by the bag.
That humble solution sparked the founding of Wise Foods, which quickly grew from a local hit into an East Coast snack empire. The brand didn’t just satisfy cravings — it carved out a place in American culture.
Vintage Shell Neon Sign Specifications
- Name: Vintage Wise Potato Chips Neon Sign Featuring Owl Logo
- Type: Single-sided, genuine vintage advertising sign
- Dimensions: 37 inches wide x 69 inches tall Depth: 5 inches (heavy metal can)
- Weight: 100 lbs
- Neon Colors: Yellow (graphic details), White (lettering), Electric Blue accents
- Condition: Original genuine porcelain sign, unrestored faceplate (as-pictured)
- All neon glass, solid-state transformers, wiring, mounts, and switches have been fully replaced
- Comes with H.J. Nick’s “Fast Hanger Bar” for perfectly level display
- Includes separate toggle pull cord for easy on/off switching without unplugging
- Certification: Eligible for H.J. Nick Brass Tag Signature – museum quality investment grade
ArtFactory.com's 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.
Preservation Done Right: ArtFactory.com
Fast forward to today. These iconic vintage neon signs are rare, and many have dimmed or disappeared altogether.
Enter ArtFactory.com, a world-class restoration studio known for museum-quality craftsmanship. When we take on a project like the Wise neon sign, it’s not just a touch-up — it’s a historical resurrection.
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Authentic restoration techniques
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True-to-era neon gas and phosphor paints
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Original mounting brackets preserved
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Wired for safe, modern display without compromising heritage
This is more than nostalgia — it’s heirloom advertising brought back to life.
Final Take: More Than a Sign
Final Take: More Than a SignThis isn’t just a cool collectible. It’s a time capsule — a living piece of history that celebrates a grocer’s dream, the evolution of snack culture, and the golden age of American roadside advertising.
In a digital world full of fleeting ads, this neon sign reminds us:
The best branding doesn’t fade. It glows.
More Vintage Collectible Neon Lighted Signs For Sale From ArtFactory.com
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
🧠 Fun Fact: Did you know neon gas naturally glows red-orange?
The electric blue and yellow hues in this sign are achieved using argon, mercury vapor, and phosphor coatings —classic neon alchemy.
All Vintage Memorabilia Offered Is A Genuine Collectable And Appreciable Asset
All Items Are Of Highest Museum Quality World Class Collector Level
Investment Quality Collectible Petroliana From ArtFactory.com
This rare vintage Wise Potato Chips Owl neon sign is the perfect conversation piece that will wow your friends and clients alike. Like all of our vintage collectible signs, it is guaranteed authentic, investment quality memorabilia. We specialize in those hard to find signs that serious collectors are looking for. All antique collectables offered are genuine memorabilia and appreciable assets, not fake reproductions. All items are fine collectable art at the highest world class collector level. Contact us today for pricing on this collectible vintage Shell neon sign or any of our collectible Americana, antique signs, old gas pumps, and classic collectibles at 1-800-292-0008.
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Through these programs, we don't just teach skills-we preserve a lineage of American craftsmanship rooted in authenticity purpose, and pride.
For over a century, our non-profit Apprentice-to-Master Program has trained artisans in the world's most elite disciplines - skills that would otherwise vanish in today's mass-production world.
Through the leadership of H.J. Nick at ArtFactory.com, and in collaboration with Foundry Michelangelo, every purchase directly fuels the next generation of master craftsman.
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NOTICE OF CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION OPPORTUNITY
Sold exclusively through ArtFactory.com (Scottsdale Galleries) & MichelangeloFineArt.org (Non-Profit)
Charitable contribution certificates may be available-please inquire for details.
✨ Visit H.J. Nick's Art Factory Galleries ✨
7407 E Greenway Rd, Scottsdale Airpark, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
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Walk-ins Welcome | Private Viewings by Appointment
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