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Photographs of Gold and Silver Pawn Shop signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Site address: 713 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Richard Harrison
Sign details: This pawn shop was opened by Richard Harrison in 1988. Rick , Richard and Corey Harrison along with Austin Russell made this store famous with the History Channel reality T.V. show Pawn Stars which started airing in 2009. This show has made this location a tourist destination, so much so there is even a line to get in sometimes. With the rise of popularity they added Rick Harrison's Pawn Plaza which is a shopping center with eateries.
Sign condition: 4- looks relatively new and not too faded
Sign form: Rectangular Blade
Sign-specific description: The whole blade sign is outlined with a gold trim and red LED lights surrounding the gold. The main long rectangle blade spells out "PAWN" lengthwise in black on white backdrop. Right above the white part of the blade is a black rectangle (long side of rectangle is above the white blade) stating "Gold & Silver" written in white thin printed letters. Above this is a little white diamond. Below the white PAWN blade is a white rectangle stating "OPEN 24 HRS" in red block print letters. This blade-type sign is held right next to the building on a big white beam that has their address "713" painted on it. On the building above the entrance states "World Famous (in yellow) Gold and Silver (In red) Pawn Shop ( in Green) in back lit plastic letters. Also to the left of the entrance they have 3 plastic rectangle back lit signs that they have switched out over the years, but the current ones have been up since 2011/12. The one in the middle states "World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop" in an elaborate white cursive font written on a black background. The other two showcase the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Logo but states "World Famous Gold & Silver Las Vegas" . Below these three rectangle signs there is another smaller one with a white background stating "We Never Close" in thick blue type font letters.
Sign - type of display: Back lit plastic signs, LED lights
Sign - media: Steel, Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Back lit plastic
Sign animation: Charger with red LED's
Sign environment: Halfway between the strip and downtown on Las Vegas Blvd. There are a few antique shops near the pawn shop. Right next door is now Rick Harrison's Pawn Plaza Shopping Center as well as a nice sized parking lot to accommodate their guests.
Sign - date of installation: Has been up since at least 2007
Sign - date of redesign/move: Some of the plastic back lit signs have been switched out over the years
Sign - thematic influences: Gold+ Silver- could refer to the mining times in Nevada and since it is a pawn shop it could mean that you can strike it rich with bringing something there. Similar to finding gold or silver.
Sign - artistic significance: The blade type sign was popular in the 50's for directions in the car consumer and traveling era.
Survey - research locations: Acessor's page, Nevada Magazine http://nevadamagazine.com/home/inside-the-magazine/city-limits/gold-silver-pawn-shop/ , Gold and Silver Pawn Shop website https://gspawn.com/ , history.com for information on the show
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-12
Sign keywords: Backlit; Plastic; LED; Steel; Pole sign
Mixed Content
Transcript of interview with Jon Sparer by Barbara Tabach, March 4, 2015
Date
Archival Collection
Description
In this interview, Jon Sparer discusses his involvement as the architect of Congregation Ner Tamid's synagogue in Green Valley. He explains details of the building including the concrete tilt-up form, glass windows and the incorporation of quotes throughout the building. Sparer also discusses his involvement with the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada (The Center) as a board member.
According to architect Jon Sparer, when he moved to Las Vegas in the early 1980s, the art of the deal was still based on a "handshake." It was just after the infamous MGM fire and Jon went to work for Rissman and Rissman. He later worked for Marnell Corrao Associates until 2001, and then as a principal in his own firm. He is now retired. While honing his design skills with the exciting transformation of the Strip into a world-class destination, Jon also became an active contributor to the Las Vegas community. Among his most notable experiences was being on the search committee for a new location for the fast growing Congregation Ner Tamid and then the architectural design for the synagogue's location in Henderson. It was a unique experience and Jon tells how he approached each aspect of the religious facility and how it would provide a memorable setting for life experiences. Jon has been involved with Jewish Family Services and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). In addition, Jon along with his husband John Klai have been instrumental in the LGBTQ community and the opening of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada [The Center]. In this interview, he also talks about the significance of The Center/ and its success in working with the Clark County Health District, as well as providing a user-friendly experience for all who visit The Center and the Bronze Cafe located there.
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