(March 18, 2015) What began nearly a half-century ago as a self-imposed “save the signs” crusade, has since become The Walker Sign Collection, comprising more than 400 neon signs, many of which are one-of-a-kind, double-sided porcelain signs.

The entire assemblage, collected by one passionate man, will be offered at auction by Mecum Auctions at a stand-alone event on Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28 near West Memphis, Ark.

The collection will be available to preview on Friday, March 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the auction to begin on Friday and run from 5 to 8 p.m. Gates will open for preview on Saturday, March 28 at 8 a.m., and the auction will resume at 10 a.m. Bidder registration is $25 and includes an official auction catalog and admission for the bidder and one guest for both event days.

From beer and soda to automobiles and drug stores, and just about everything in between, the collection consists mainly of car dealer-size, double-sided porcelain neons. Mr. Walker, a lover of great classic cars and street rods, says that his affinity for signs seemed like a natural progression.

“Well, being a car guy, I thought owning some of the dealership signs would be something fun to get into,” Walker said. “And once I got into that, I quickly found that the future of these signs was not shaping up to be such a pretty picture.”

When Walker learned that other buyers of these signs would take them apart and sell them individually as two signs, his passion for purchasing the signs increased. “They were destroying the history of these signs,” says Walker, “so when I realized what was going on, I just went crazy buying signs.”

On why he is now selling his collection, Walker explains, “I’m 74 years old and I’ve got to do something with them! It’s certainly not that I don’t like them anymore. It was just that I figured they should be hung up so people can enjoy them.”

To view the consignment list of signs and to register as a bidder for this and all Mecum auctions, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.