Vintage Apple retail sign Ireland

[archive33]

Hi there, I've been trying to discover the authenticity of this Apple sign which has been stored in a loft in Ireland for many years. It would have originally been outside a dealership that sold Apple computers amongst other brands back in the 80's/90's in Dublin (apparently this font and logo type featured between 1977-1984).
I can find no other similar examples in my internet searches with this unusual black background. It's made out of a thick plastic and a aluminum frame which can easily be disassembled to access inside. The sign is in good condition except for a hole in one corner, the missing pieces were recovered inside, and there is oxidisation of the metal rim and a rusted mounting and the blue on the bottom of the logo has faded substantially. The tube lights inside no longer work but I guess they could easily be replaced with a similar system. It measures aprox 94x65x18cm. Would be nice to know if its worth anything or collectable to anyone. Thanks!

 

[wonderings]

Neat find! If it works I am sure that is worth a pretty penny to the right person. Those are not cheap signs to make, and probably cost way more back then.

 

[archive33]

Thanks it is very interesting. Is it worth restoring something like this to sell or better to leave to a collector? Also do you think there's any way to authenticate it? I can't find a single image on Google of anything remotely similar.

 

[wonderings]

Thanks it is very interesting. Is it worth restoring something like this to sell or better to leave to a collector? Also do you think there's any way to authenticate it? I can't find a single image on Google of anything remotely similar.

I am no expert so can't offer any advice on that. You could try contact Apple directly with a picture and any info you have, like the store name it came from, city, etc.

I did come across this website https://vintage-computer.fr/collection/

Not endorsing the website, I have never been to it before today when I was googling the sign. Looks like he is a collector and might be worth connecting with the site operator. They have an older sign as well, similar vintage, different design.

 

[BrianBaughn]

My guess is some shop hired a sign-making company to build it and that Apple has nothing to do with the sign.

 

[archive33]

My guess is some shop hired a sign-making company to build it and that Apple has nothing to do with the sign.

Yes, this also a possibility.

 

[archive33]

I am no expert so can't offer any advice on that. You could try contact Apple directly with a picture and any info you have, like the store name it came from, city, etc.

I did come across this website https://vintage-computer.fr/collection/

Not endorsing the website, I have never been to it before today when I was googling the sign. Looks like he is a collector and might be worth connecting with the site operator. They have an older sign as well, similar vintage, different design.

Thanks for that. I'll follow it up.

 

[dmccloud]

It is similar to the signs Apple used in the early 80s, specifically the Bandley 3 building which housed the original Mac team. The biggest difference is the placement of "apple" on the sign itself.

 

[archive33]

Thanks for that! Thats interesting, this is the only reference to a similar design and colour scheme I've seen elsewhere.