Coca Cola Vintage Neon Clock / Sign by Cleveland Electric Neon Clock Company
Coca Cola Vintage Neon Clock / Sign by Cleveland Electric Neon Clock Company
SOLD $4,250.00 Sold: Jan 21, 2025 on eBayOriginal Listing Description
PLEASE READ FULL DESCRIPTION Cleveland Neon Coca Cola Clock, made in Cleveland OH by the Electric Neon Clock Company. Model APL-5 (I think) "Standard Bubble" design, Serial No: 63384, made for Coca Cola advertising. I included a short history that I was able to find on the company below. I was very sure this was a perfectly preserved original clock, probably kept indoors, and I had a second identical weathered Pepsi clock that I was able to compare it to, but I've been told by some eBay Coke collectors that this clock has been restored at some point. I'm not an expert, so I'll defer to their expertise. If it's restored, it's a beautiful restoration back to original new condition, and can be confidently used by the buyer because it's been rewired to modern standards. I’ve had this clock for around 13-15 years, and it’s just been stored for that entire time. I never got around to hanging it. I can't find a date of manufacture anywhere on the clock, but the company was in business from the 30's through the 50's. With more research, the serial number should help find a manufacture date. A detailed inspection of this clock reveals no repairs or anything less than a very skillful 'back to new' restoration using all of the original parts.Near perfect condition, face of clock is in great original condition, no paint flaking. Clock works, keeps good time. Neon is white, and appears to be in perfect working order.Plastic light up surround is as good as new, no cracks, lettering is perfect. There are a few small pinholes of missing red paint on this part, barely noticeable- but look closely in the pictures Measurements are 31-1/2" Tall (sitting on floor), 36-1/2" Wide (outermost), 7-1/2" Deep (approx), with inner clock face itself measuring 25" across including the white number surround.Rear "can" part is also in great condition, original looking green paint, no rust or dents, no scratches- couple of small chips in green paint on the sharp edges- solid original condition. Hang it up and plug it in, and enjoy this awesome vintage Coca Cola clock! As mentioned above, I had a Pepsi clock identical to this one that I sold a while back, and it was obvious that that one had been mounted on the exterior of a building. It was still in great shape- these Cleveland Clock signs were built heavy-duty, and made to last! There is a website out there where you can buy some replacement parts like the clock motor if ever needed.This clock needs nothing! For a clock made 70 to 90 years ago, it's in amazing condition! You won't find a nicer one!!Located in Michigan, I will ship at buyers expense, or if you’re located close enough to Grand Rapids Michigan, I might be willing to meet in the middle after payment clears. I'd prefer the second method due to the fragile nature of neon, and the unknowns in shipping. But, I am an experienced shipper, and I will pack this as good as humanly possible to make the trip intact if buyer decides to have it shipped! Buyer must insure if shipped. ***IMPORTANT*** The eBay quoted shipping prices that pop up when you look at or buy an item like this that has to ship by alternative means are NOT accurate.Can either ship well-packed on a pallet by truck, or hand delivered by Uship (this is a good way to go in my experience). Ships ONLY within the continental US. Buyer will only be charged exact shipping price. I'll pack it on a pallet or whatever as directed by buyer for no extra charge to the buyer.Some history of the Cleveland based "Electric Neon Clock Company" (from neonclock dot org)- The "Cleveland" name: The Electric Neon Clock Co. was never known as "Cleveland Clocks" while the company was in business. That is a current fabrication, probably due to the long, and rather generic, company name. This is similar to why some people in the industry refer to Neon Products clocks as "Lima" clocks. Marketing the clocks: Typically a salesman would have 8 or 10 clocks shipped to them by Railway Express to some town or another. He would then load them into his salesmen special car. The cars were typically driven 100,000 miles in a year. They were then brought back to Cleveland for the big sales meeting and the representatives would get another car. The reps drove around to small towns through out America to make their sales. The down payment was his to keep as his commission on the sale. The salesman would install the clock then and there. Permits were rarely required. The balance was paid by mail at a rate of $10.00 per month. Interest was not charged. However, excessive non-payment resulted in your clock just disappearing during the night. The repossessed clock were sent back to the factory and the good parts were reused. The clocks were sometimes sold to beverage companies like Pepsi, or Dr. Pepper etc. and the cola salesmen would give them away in order to get the retailer to switch to their soft drink. In another marketing version the clock was sold to the retailer but he got his money back in free products from the soft drink manufacturer. The round feet (and sometimes "streamlined" feet) and handle at the top were needed by the salesmen during the presentation. (Condition: Pre-Owned)
Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for Coca Cola collectors and appraisers.
Original Listing Description
PLEASE READ FULL DESCRIPTION Cleveland Neon Coca Cola Clock, made in Cleveland OH by the Electric Neon Clock Company. Model APL-5 (I think) "Standard Bubble" design, Serial No: 63384, made for Coca Cola advertising. I included a short history that I was able to find on the company below. I was very sure this was a perfectly preserved original clock, probably kept indoors, and I had a second identical weathered Pepsi clock that I was able to compare it to, but I've been told by some eBay Coke collectors that this clock has been restored at some point. I'm not an expert, so I'll defer to their expertise. If it's restored, it's a beautiful restoration back to original new condition, and can be confidently used by the buyer because it's been rewired to modern standards. I’ve had this clock for around 13-15 years, and it’s just been stored for that entire time. I never got around to hanging it. I can't find a date of manufacture anywhere on the clock, but the company was in business from the 30's through the 50's. With more research, the serial number should help find a manufacture date. A detailed inspection of this clock reveals no repairs or anything less than a very skillful 'back to new' restoration using all of the original parts.Near perfect condition, face of clock is in great original condition, no paint flaking. Clock works, keeps good time. Neon is white, and appears to be in perfect working order.Plastic light up surround is as good as new, no cracks, lettering is perfect. There are a few small pinholes of missing red paint on this part, barely noticeable- but look closely in the pictures Measurements are 31-1/2" Tall (sitting on floor), 36-1/2" Wide (outermost), 7-1/2" Deep (approx), with inner clock face itself measuring 25" across including the white number surround.Rear "can" part is also in great condition, original looking green paint, no rust or dents, no scratches- couple of small chips in green paint on the sharp edges- solid original condition. Hang it up and plug it in, and enjoy this awesome vintage Coca Cola clock! As mentioned above, I had a Pepsi clock identical to this one that I sold a while back, and it was obvious that that one had been mounted on the exterior of a building. It was still in great shape- these Cleveland Clock signs were built heavy-duty, and made to last! There is a website out there where you can buy some replacement parts like the clock motor if ever needed.This clock needs nothing! For a clock made 70 to 90 years ago, it's in amazing condition! You won't find a nicer one!!Located in Michigan, I will ship at buyers expense, or if you’re located close enough to Grand Rapids Michigan, I might be willing to meet in the middle after payment clears. I'd prefer the second method due to the fragile nature of neon, and the unknowns in shipping. But, I am an experienced shipper, and I will pack this as good as humanly possible to make the trip intact if buyer decides to have it shipped! Buyer must insure if shipped. ***IMPORTANT*** The eBay quoted shipping prices that pop up when you look at or buy an item like this that has to ship by alternative means are NOT accurate.Can either ship well-packed on a pallet by truck, or hand delivered by Uship (this is a good way to go in my experience). Ships ONLY within the continental US. Buyer will only be charged exact shipping price. I'll pack it on a pallet or whatever as directed by buyer for no extra charge to the buyer.Some history of the Cleveland based "Electric Neon Clock Company" (from neonclock dot org)- The "Cleveland" name: The Electric Neon Clock Co. was never known as "Cleveland Clocks" while the company was in business. That is a current fabrication, probably due to the long, and rather generic, company name. This is similar to why some people in the industry refer to Neon Products clocks as "Lima" clocks. Marketing the clocks: Typically a salesman would have 8 or 10 clocks shipped to them by Railway Express to some town or another. He would then load them into his salesmen special car. The cars were typically driven 100,000 miles in a year. They were then brought back to Cleveland for the big sales meeting and the representatives would get another car. The reps drove around to small towns through out America to make their sales. The down payment was his to keep as his commission on the sale. The salesman would install the clock then and there. Permits were rarely required. The balance was paid by mail at a rate of $10.00 per month. Interest was not charged. However, excessive non-payment resulted in your clock just disappearing during the night. The repossessed clock were sent back to the factory and the good parts were reused. The clocks were sometimes sold to beverage companies like Pepsi, or Dr. Pepper etc. and the cola salesmen would give them away in order to get the retailer to switch to their soft drink. In another marketing version the clock was sold to the retailer but he got his money back in free products from the soft drink manufacturer. The round feet (and sometimes "streamlined" feet) and handle at the top were needed by the salesmen during the presentation. (Condition: Pre-Owned)
Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for Coca Cola collectors and appraisers.