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"Herm the Sign Man"

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  • "Herm the Sign Man"

    A friend of mine sent this to me including these pictures of some local race cars. Sign painting and pin striping is becoming a lost art. I did not know Herm, however the story and pictures are cool.
    Attached Files
    Last edited by 200WINS; November 24, 2012, 06:06 AM.
    200WINS HRPT Long Haul 2008, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Bettendorf, WI Dells, 15 Champaign, Madison, 16 OK City, Wichita, KC, 17 KC, Newton
    Forum Freaks Road Trip, 2020 Kool Deadwood Nites, 2021 Southernmost Road Trip, 2022 Great Southern Tour

  • #2
    Here is the story about Herm.....

    Herman and LaVerne Griller met during the Great Depression. Herm
    was a native of Sioux Falls. He grew up in the “Northend” and attended
    Cathedral High School. Upon graduation, he secured a position with the
    “Milwaukee Road”, selling tickets at the depot at Fourth and Phillips.
    LaVerne was born in Eagle and graduated from Kimball High School.
    She moved to Sioux Falls in 1933, and got a job at Henry Field Store to
    earn money to go to beauty school. The store was a few blocks south of
    the depot, a place where Herm sometimes stopped to get lunch. After he
    met LaVerne, he stopped more often!
    The young couple courted and made plans for the future. Herm, skilled
    in lettering and penmanship, left his job and joined a local signmaker. The work suited him. In
    1937, wanting to improve his technique, he decided to head for California and asked LaVerne to join
    him. Their first stop was at Murdo, where they married.
    Herm’s talent and LaVerne’s faith in him paid off. He became “Herm the Sign Man” with a shop at
    Eighth and Franklin. His services were in demand statewide. LaVerne eventually left her position
    with Fantle’s Department store to run Herm’s office from their home.
    Partners in all that they did, the Grillers had been married 67 years when Herm passed away in
    2004. LaVerne lived another seven years and made provisions in her will to create this scholarship
    through the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation
    Last edited by 200WINS; November 24, 2012, 06:08 AM.
    200WINS HRPT Long Haul 2008, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Bettendorf, WI Dells, 15 Champaign, Madison, 16 OK City, Wichita, KC, 17 KC, Newton
    Forum Freaks Road Trip, 2020 Kool Deadwood Nites, 2021 Southernmost Road Trip, 2022 Great Southern Tour

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    • #3
      Good story and great cars. Thanks for the post.

      Dan

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      • #4
        Neat George !!
        sigpic

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        • #5
          Wonderfuly story about Herm and Mrs Herm. I suppose the mating of digital and vinyl technology have all but killed the old-school sign/lettering artist trade?
          Michael from Hampton Roads

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