milk bottles among other things. Over the years I ran into him and his brother at various shows

between here and Eugene. I mentioned to them that I was interested in beer advertising and more

specifically older obsolete beer signs. One day we were talking about Sick’s Select and Salem Beer and how hard it is to find anything from the Salem breweries. At this time they explained to

me that they didn’t collect beer advertising but since they do live in Salem they have picked up some interesting things over the past twenty years. When they told me about this art deco dome

shaped Salem sign I couldn’t believe it.

For the last seven years I have ran into these guys several more times and every time I asked about the sign, it has NEVER been for sale. In fact, I have never laid eyes on it or even seen a picture of it. Well as many of you know me I am persistent and I take the time to find a way. I have been very patient and have not bothered them about the sign, all I have done is offered them more money as the years and the shows come and go.

I saw one of these guys at the last expo show and before I could say anything he said "I still have your business card taped to it and we will give you first crack If we EVER decide to get rid of it."

After all these years I was pretty sure that day would never come. This time he gave me his business card with his email address on it and this to me gave me some daylight. I knew now that I could at least email and try to make a deal or maybe get a photo to assure me they really had this thing.

I am pleased to tell you that the day finally arrived. I was thinking to myself that it is mid January and I really haven’t found anything good in awhile and that it was time to make a deal. I was sitting at my computer and I decided to send these guys an email. This was the first time I wasn’t

making an offer face-to-face. I just put some ideas together, sent them some pictures of some of my best signs told them their sign would like great in my collection and I sent the email.

The next morning as I was getting out of the shower at 7:00 am the phone was ringing and Christine said it was for me but she didn’t recognize the voice. When I heard this man’s voice

I was like a kid on Christmas morning and I had that feeling it was going to be a GREAT call.

The guy tells me that he got my email and that the timing was right, he and his brother were offered a great piece for their collection and it was way out of their price range and they were

about to turn down the deal and then my email came. They felt that it was "meant to be". If I was willing to pay them a little more then my last offer they would be willing to sell the sign.

We made the deal and 3 days later I was off to Salem to pick-up one of the best pieces I have EVER added to my collection.