Hamms Brewery Sign Spectacular, 1965 - San Francisco - Design by Ad Art - Photograph Appears Courtesy Chuck Barnard
This is the first photo I have ever seen of the second version of San Francisco's famous Hamm's Brewery sign.
The photo appears courtesy Chuck Barnard, former Executive Art Director for Ad Art. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not snag this image without his permission... as he trusted me to post this here, for others to enjoy.
And here's the story behind this sign (in Chuck's words):
"Ad Art completely remodeled the original (Hamm's) sign in 1965. Hamm's had just introduced a new logostyle and packaging imagery and wanted the sign to reflect the new graphics. Bill Clarke and Bob Miller both contributed to the design. I believe Bob did most of the graphics changes which involved changing out the original italic-style letters to the new new straight-up letterform, and surrounding these with larger graphics from the new 6-pack containers.
Bill completely altered the glass lighting so the neon would 'fill' to the top and then a new "foam" element of his creation at the top would scintillate when the schooner was "full". He also created all the action in the sign lighting--with the letters 'spelling on'--followed by an overlay of "Mmmmm" neon and the whole sequence would repeat. It was all choreographed to replicate the company's commercial song--"Hamm's--Mmmm--the beer refreshing".
When Hamm's folded, the signwork was removed from the building and, as was typical, all the pieces were taken to (the Ad Art location in) Emeryville and subsequently junked. We had a fair-sized 'boneyard' in Stockton but none of the Hamm's sign was ever hauled over there and the Emeryville office didn't have a lot of room for old sign remnants.
A lot of fanciful stories have circulated over what became of the schooner. One I remember, was that it was re-installed at a central valley pub at some point. But by the time it was removed from S.F.--having suffered over two decades of salt air and the elements--the chances of survival without substantial refinishing and restoration would have been slim-to-none..."
Chuck Barnard, August 1, 2016
Hamms Brewery Sign Spectacular, 1965 - San Francisco - Design by Ad Art - Photograph Appears Courtesy Chuck Barnard
This is the first photo I have ever seen of the second version of San Francisco's famous Hamm's Brewery sign.
The photo appears courtesy Chuck Barnard, former Executive Art Director for Ad Art. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not snag this image without his permission... as he trusted me to post this here, for others to enjoy.
And here's the story behind this sign (in Chuck's words):
"Ad Art completely remodeled the original (Hamm's) sign in 1965. Hamm's had just introduced a new logostyle and packaging imagery and wanted the sign to reflect the new graphics. Bill Clarke and Bob Miller both contributed to the design. I believe Bob did most of the graphics changes which involved changing out the original italic-style letters to the new new straight-up letterform, and surrounding these with larger graphics from the new 6-pack containers.
Bill completely altered the glass lighting so the neon would 'fill' to the top and then a new "foam" element of his creation at the top would scintillate when the schooner was "full". He also created all the action in the sign lighting--with the letters 'spelling on'--followed by an overlay of "Mmmmm" neon and the whole sequence would repeat. It was all choreographed to replicate the company's commercial song--"Hamm's--Mmmm--the beer refreshing".
When Hamm's folded, the signwork was removed from the building and, as was typical, all the pieces were taken to (the Ad Art location in) Emeryville and subsequently junked. We had a fair-sized 'boneyard' in Stockton but none of the Hamm's sign was ever hauled over there and the Emeryville office didn't have a lot of room for old sign remnants.
A lot of fanciful stories have circulated over what became of the schooner. One I remember, was that it was re-installed at a central valley pub at some point. But by the time it was removed from S.F.--having suffered over two decades of salt air and the elements--the chances of survival without substantial refinishing and restoration would have been slim-to-none..."
Chuck Barnard, August 1, 2016