Greg Rhomberg’s gigantic collection of vintage neon signs — including a few from Route 66 — and memorabilia are expected to be auctioned later this year after his unexpected death in early 2023.
Rhomberg had hoped to build a neon museum at the National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis by 2025 — just before Route 66’s centennial.
Rhomberg, the former CEO of Nu Way Concrete Forms, had stashed his extensive collection in his Antique Warehouse in nearby Lemay, Missouri, reported NextSTL.com.
Unfortunately, it seems as though Greg’s vision will not become a reality. Greg passed away unexpectedly in January of 2023. It is not known what his will states, but multiple sources who wish to remain anonymous have told NextSTL that Pennsylvania-based auction company Morphy Auctions has been contracted to liquidate the majority of the collection later this year and that items will be relocated to Las Vegas prior to the auction with the expectation that will yield higher bids. The auction is expected to take place in November.
The story stated Rhomberg’s collection of neon signs is considered one of the largest in the entire Midwest.
Route 66 News did a phone interview with Rhomberg in 2022 after he revealed on Instagram he’d obtained the Ozark Court sign from the long-closed Route 66 motel near St. Clair, Missouri.
Rhomberg’s Antique Warehouse site also showed he obtained the neon clock, neon arrow and neon sign from La Casa Grande Motel in St. Louis.
He also owned the Airport Motel sign that once stood on Lindbergh Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Bridgeton, Missouri, and the Westward Motel sign in St. Louis.
He owned signs that once were part of Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, Carl’s Drive-In, Chippewa Motel and Chain of Rocks Motel — all along Route 66 in the region.
(Hat tip to Nathan Lippe; image of La Casa Grande neon sign in St. Louis owned by the late Greg Rhomberg via his Antique Warehouse site)
Too bad these signs will get scattered around the country and not likely to ever appear lit on Route 66. Too bad Mr. Rhomberg didn’t leave a will or document transferring ownership of the signs to the National Transportation Museum. Too bad the value of these signs is such that the heirs/family see dollar signs and not legacy.
This is a warning to all that own historic material – make plans NOW to preserve your legacy.
Ooooo, I’d like to have the Ozark Court sign. I first saw it in 1996. It’s nice and compact.