Description

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Nevada’s iconic art form comes to life.

Sheila Swan and Peter Laufer take readers on a journey, not only along the Las Vegas Strip, but down quiet, two-lane rural roads punctuated by neon signs—those glistening beacons that represent commerce in the vast Great Basin. The photographers’ stunning work captures the argon violets, krypton purples, helium golds, and xenon blues that glow amid the nighttime desert sky. 

Readers will discover that neon is not just a medium for casino advertising. The colorful images of cowboys and cowgirls, animals, desert landscapes, and a myriad of other creative designs all illuminate Americana. The neon sign helps define Nevada and its businesses, from bars and casinos to the stores, restaurants, motels, and theaters that line the streets of the Silver State’s cities and towns, and those rural areas that are barely a blip on the map. With a compelling blend of striking full-color photographs and fascinating historical commentary, this book celebrates an art form that wholly embraces the state’s unique personality. 

First published in 1994, this newly updated and expanded edition of Neon Nevada explores the resurgence of this art form during the last decade, which has resulted in an appreciation of Nevada neon that will never fade. This survey of neon casts the new edition as a defining source for neon scholars and attracts neon aficionados to what can only be defined as a medium as distinctive and interesting as Nevada itself.

About the Author

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Sheila Swan learned photography as an assistant in her father’s portrait studio. She joined the Nevada Craft Guild shortly after it was founded and began her study of Nevada’s relationship with neon.
 
Peter Laufer has authored or edited more than two dozen books, including two with Sheila Swan. He is a journalism professor at the University of Oregon. Laufer was founding editor of Nevada’s Gold Hill Daily News.

Praise For…

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“This is not merely a coffee table book. It's an immersive journey through time, a celebration of art, culture, and nostalgia. Whether you're a history buff, an admirer of stunning photography, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of a bygone era, this book is a must-have. It provides a rare glimpse into a captivating part of Nevada's history, preserving the legacy of these iconic neon signs for generations to come.”
—Nick Vedros, president, LUMI Neon Museum
  
“The illuminating pages of Neon Nevada are back in print! Our well-traveled, dog-eared copy went with us on our first epic neon road trip and will sit side-by-side on the shelf with this beautiful new edition. Two copies recommended: one for your neon library, and one for your next Nevada road trip.”
 —Randall Ann Homan and Al Barna, coauthors of Saving Neon and San Francisco Neon: Survivors and Lost Icons
 
“Neon Nevada captures the energy and vitality of neon—one of the most effective forms of advertising. The book is a testament to the largely unknown sign designers and tube benders who have made and continue to make Nevada’s magnificent commercial landscape all aglitter!”
—Alan Goldman, Blue Plate Productions, producer of Glowing in the Dark
 
"Neon Nevada hits the jackpot, taking readers on a hellbent ride. Through their vivid images and narratives, the authors bring the beauty and stories behind this fascinating slice of Americana to life." 
—Douglas Towne, editor, Society for Commercial Archeology