The FENCE SIGN Page Enter the world of Pete's fence signs and learn the criteria and history of a top notch sign. 'Fence Signs' are the generic name I have given to the small, rectangular signs that appear on urban chain link fencing. The signs serve as an advertisement to passersby, and measure about twelve by four inches on average. They typically bear the company owner's name, such as "Burkett Fence" "Anderson Fence Co", etc. Perhaps you've noticed them. I think fence signs are a great representation of Americana - some with boomerang shapes and hand painted graphics. The most beautiful signs are the older ones that have survived time. In a city with little historic preservation that is quick to demolish its older buildings, the signs around them have disappeared too. But some remain. I stopped collecting long ago, but through the years I have accumulated a nifty collection of some of California's best... How were they obtained, you ask? Most of the signs were attached to fences of public property with old rusty chicken wire knots that I cut with clippers. The task was usually quick and painless but could be awkward if it took longer than a few seconds. Usually a trusty get away driver was waiting, like Mark Norris in his famous white Pontiac. One day I was hypnotized by a tempting gem attached to the fencing on a side yard of a home. Getting to work, I was approached by the owner, who suddenly walked outside and asked what I was doing. Embarrassed, my career as a fence sign collector ended that day. I quickly talked my way out of it with a crazy story about being sent by the sign maker to retrieve, collect, and archive the signs for a coffee table book. This was partly true. I wanted to share them with the world in book form, but ended up doing so on the internet instead. In due time, publishers will come flocking to me like a magnet on a frigidaire. So, fancying myself the world's first fence sign archivist and expert, I hereby share some of the signs and stories behind them. I will present to you part of what I call my 'A List', a dozen or so of the best & oldest signs from my collection. What qualifies a sign to be on the 'A List'? An old phone prefix is an immediately credential. For example: LEXington 3- 5562. Or, use of the old LA zip code system. Example: LA 34. Ah, the simpler times in life. Another credential is top notch graphics (you can't beat Ace Fence) and heavy steel construction- in later years the signs got very flimsy, and the older ones feel like a bar of gold. Finally, nature is a factor that gives great character to a fence sign, as the weathering that occurs through time affects the signs' colors and textures. I love a sign that shows it has withstood countless storms, with rust, discolorations, or portions of the fence that are marred. Atlas is a great example of this effect: Anchor is noteworthy because of it's Northern California descent, and the letters are raised, an embossed effect: Arrow is a nice straightforward sign, with old phone prefix: Cyclone is a beauty. Note the Union logo: It took the brute strength of Pete Murnik to pry this gem from a fence near Dodger Stadium as we walked back to his house after a game. Old phone prefix and graphic of 'H' on the diamond easily qualify this as an 'A sign': Noteworthy is the silhouette icon of a man being electrocuted with a bolt of electricity on the bottom right hand corner: Clearly, Izurieta is a winning sign, with imaginative graphics and a top notch line drawing on it to boot: A beautiful sign, I like the misuse of tenses- 'LA Fencing build fences': The illustration and cracked cream coloring make for a real fave here: Snagged during a visit to Florida, this sign has a highly unusual shape: This is a Best In Show type sign. Nice graphics, old phone prefix, a catch phrase, solid metal, and just the right weathering at the edges: I feel very fortunate to have happened upon this gem, because the old zip, phone prefix, bizarre but beautiful discoloration and close up graphic of the interlocking fence are boffo: STAY TUNED FOR FUTURE INSTALLMENTS OF FENCE SIGNS!