Image Crafter Signs shop’s project to refurbish the Fairmont Palliser’s sign took them on a journey through the history of Calgary, the hotel itself, and the craft of sign making.
inSide Drumheller reported in its January 8 edition that Image Crafter Signs was selected to do a complete overhaul of the sign that has hung on the front of the iconic Calgary landmark for generations.
On Thursday, the shop delivered the newly refurbished sign to the hotel to be installed.
As the shop delved into the project, they immediate began to pour over archived photos to figure out when the sign was first installed. They also looked to the sign itself for clues of the workmanship, materials and previous incarnations of the sign.
With the help of Chris Carlson, they dug into the sign. Some of the components they presumed would be plated for show, turned out to be solid brass or bronze. There were a number of areas where cathodic reactions between the different metals had sped up oxidation.
The challenge for the team was to repair the damage, replace components that would stand up to the test of time, while at the same time preserve the historic beauty and value of the sign.
Stainless steel hardware was installed and surfaces were painted, buffed or powder coated. They even consulted an engineer to make sure the new materials would be strong enough and light enough to preserve the sign.
Makowecki marveled at some of the sign construction techniques he saw within the sign and it took him right back to his post secondary training.
Inside the sign, they also saw remnants of the hotel’s former glory, built in 1914, as one of Canadian Pacific Railway’s flagship hotels that once included the Banff Springs Hotel, and the Chateau Frontenac. Peeling back the layers the CP hotel logo is faintly present.
Now complete and in Calgary, another crew will be hanging the sign in the near future.
