Sharpies Golf House Sign facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sharpies Golf House Sign |
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The sign in its original location in 2006
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| Location | Powerhouse Museum collection |
| Built | 1958–1964 |
| Architect | Ron Ries |
| Official name: Sharpies Golf House Sign (The Golf House); The Golf House | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 1 November 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1655 |
| Type | Advertising Sign |
| Category | Recreation and Entertainment |
| Builders | Consolidated Neon (later Claude Neon) |
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The Sharpies Golf House Sign is a special old neon advertising sign. It used to light up the sky in Sydney, Australia. This sign was built between 1958 and 1964. It sat on top of a golf shop at 216–220 Elizabeth Street in Surry Hills for many years, from 1964 until 2007.
After being taken down, the sign was given to the Powerhouse Museum. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on November 1, 2002. This means it's considered an important part of history.
Contents
The Story of the Sharpies Golf House Sign
How Neon Signs Began
Neon gas was first found in 1898 in London by scientists William Ramsay and Morris Travers. Later, a French engineer named Georges Claude figured out how to make neon lamps. In 1902, he used electricity with neon gas in a sealed tube to create light.
By 1923, Claude's company, Claude Neon, brought these bright signs to the United States. Neon signs became super popular in the 1940s and 1950s. They used many colorful designs to advertise all kinds of products.
The Golf House Business
The Golf House started from a pawn shop owned by Harry Landis. Harry was an immigrant from Russia who came to Sydney in 1917. In 1918, he bought a shop at 226 Elizabeth Street and opened his pawnshop there.
In 1923, Harry moved his shop to 220–222 Elizabeth Street. His two sons, Harry Jr. and Jack, joined the business. The shop was split into two parts: Harry Jr. handled musical instruments, and Jack focused on sporting goods, especially golf equipment. After World War II, Jack Landis officially started "The Golf House." When Harry Landis Sr. passed away in 1953, his sons divided the shop between them.
Building the Famous Sign
The Golf House sign was built between 1958 and 1964. A company called Consolidated Neon, which later became Claude Neon, made it. They also owned and took care of the sign, leasing it to The Golf House.
Ron Ries, who worked at Consolidated Neon for over 50 years, helped design the sign. He drew it on a blackboard with fluorescent paint. After getting approval from the Council, he oversaw its construction. The sign was first laid out on a large paper pattern. Then, a steel frame was built to hold the neon tubes and lights. In 1964, the sign even won an award for being the best outdoor advertisement!
Changes to the Business and Sign
In 1977, Harry Landis Jr. moved his music business. This left The Golf House as the only shop. In 1978, Jack's son, Rob, took over The Golf House with two partners. The shop was a top golf store in Sydney, but it relied a lot on selling used golf clubs. New equipment was becoming cheaper to make overseas.
In 1985, Rob Landis and his partners sold the business to a professional golfer named Lindsay Sharp. Lindsay renamed the shop "Sharpies Golf House." Because Lindsay didn't own the original name, Claude Neon had to change the sign to "Sharpies Golf House." Lindsay Sharp was famous for being the first professional to win Australia's National Ambrose golf competition.
The Sign's Journey to the Museum
In 1996, Lindsay Sharp sold his share of the building. In 1999, he sold the business to Ray Drummond, who owned other golf stores. By 2002, Claude Neon, who still owned the sign, wanted to take it down because it was becoming unsafe.
This news caused a lot of discussion. Eventually, it was decided that the sign would be given to Sharpies Golf House. The condition was that it would be donated to the City of Sydney after the lease ended. The sign was listed on the State Heritage Register in 2002, even though it was in "perilous condition" (meaning very bad shape).
Sharpies Golf House closed in 2004. The new owners of the building wanted to donate the sign to the Powerhouse Museum. However, the NSW Heritage Office initially disagreed. In 2007, the City of Sydney ordered the sign's removal for safety reasons. It was stored in the building for several years. Finally, in 2014, after agreements were made, the sign was moved to the museum. The building where the sign once stood was torn down around 2016–2017.
What the Sign Looks Like
The Sharpies Golf House sign is made of a steel frame. It shows a golfer hitting a golf ball. The ball flies in an arc over the words "SHARPIES GOLF HOUSE." The sign has about 80 bent neon tubes that light up.
The letters of the sign are about 14 meters long and 1.5 meters high. The sign also features the golfer, the golf club in three different positions, the ball, a metal track with about 48 lights that chase each other, and a golf hole with a flag. The flag has the number 19 on it. This refers to the "19th hole," which is a fun way to talk about the clubhouse after a round of golf.
In 1985, the name on the sign was changed from "The Golf House" to "Sharpies Golf House."
Condition of the Sign
When the sign was listed as heritage in 2002, it still worked. However, its structure was in very poor condition. Parts of the curved top section and the bases of the letters were rusted. Some pieces had already broken off. The metal parts with light bulbs were severely rusted.
Even though some parts were corroded, the sign was still important. When it was donated to the Powerhouse Museum, it was agreed that the original sign would stay in the museum. If a sign were ever put back on the original site, it would be a copy.
Why the Sign is Important
The Sharpies Golf Sign is very rare because it's a unique example of advertising from the 20th century. It's historically important because it was one of the only original animated neon signs still in its place when it was listed. It shows what animated neon signs were like in the 1950s.
The sign also looks cool and reminds people of that time. It has been a landmark in the Elizabeth Street area of Sydney for a long time. It's also connected to professional golfer Lindsay Sharp, who was the first to win the National Ambrose competition in Australia.
The Sharpies Golf House Sign was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on November 1, 2002, because it met several important rules:
- It shows how history unfolded in New South Wales.
The sign is linked to the growth of businesses around Elizabeth Street. It also shows the popularity of neon signs in Sydney during the 1950s. It was the only animated neon sign on top of one of Australia's longest-running golf shops.
- It has a special connection to important people in New South Wales history.
The sign is strongly connected to professional golfer Lindsay Sharp, which is why it was renamed "Sharpies Golf House."
- It shows great design and creativity.
The sign still looks like it's from the 1950s, with the golfer in old-fashioned clothes. It was designed to advertise, but it became a well-known landmark in the city. Its look adds to Sydney's unique identity.
- It has a strong connection to the community.
Many people, including drivers and train passengers, saw the Sharpies Golf House Sign from the late 1950s. People were upset when it was suggested the sign might be removed in 2002. This shows how important it was to the community. It was even featured in advertisements and a video.
- It can help us learn more about history.
The sign can help researchers understand more about the neon sign trend in Sydney during the 1950s and 1960s.
- It is a rare example of history.
The Sharpies Golf Sign is a unique example of 20th-century advertising. It's rare across Australia because it was one of the first original animated neon signs to be listed on a heritage register. When it was listed, it was also the only documented original animated neon sign still working in the whole country.
- It represents a type of important historical place.
The Sharpies Golf Sign is a good example of the animated neon sign trend. This trend started in the 1920s and was most popular in the 1940s and 1950s.
