STARDUST — Learning from Las Vegas & Grace Silver

⭐ Denise Scott Brown's Obsession. Grace Silver's Atomic Logotype.

The sign that legitimized commercial architecture as high art.

In 1954, Grace Silver — a child prodigy turned amateur designer — created the "outer space lettering" that would define an era. Four years later, YESCO wrapped an entire building in her atomic dream: 7,100 feet of neon, 11,000 bulbs, stars bursting like a chain reaction visible from 60 miles away.

In 1968, Denise Scott Brown photographed it obsessively, seeing what others dismissed: commercial vernacular as cultural artifact.

👩🎨 The Hidden Woman Pioneer

GRACE SILVER designed the Stardust's iconic atomic logotype — yet remains virtually unknown. Her son Jeffrey Silver (later Gaming Control Board member) recalled: "My dad brought her the name and Grace came up with the outer space lettering concept."

Another woman erased from neon history. Until now.

🎬 The Mob Connection

Behind the sign, Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal ran the most sophisticated skimming operation in mob history — while hosting a TV show from the casino floor. His story became Martin Scorsese's Casino (1995).

When it all came down in 2007, the Neon Museum spent $150,000 rescuing the letters. Atomic Age dreams die hard.

📚 "Learning from Las Vegas" — The Academic Anchor

In 1968, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown made Las Vegas their classroom. The Stardust became their textbook example of the "decorated shed" — where the sign IS the architecture.

Any institution collecting this work inherits 50+ years of architectural theory.

📊 The Numbers

• July 2, 1958 — Opening day
• 48 years of operation
• 188 feet — Height of 1968 mega-pylon
• $500,000 — Cost of Paul Miller's 1968 design
• 7,100 feet of neon tubing
• 11,000 bulbs
• $150,000 — Museum rescue cost (2007)

📊 EDITION STRUCTURE

After Early Access, remaining editions will be available exclusively through international gallery partners at gallery prices (+50-60%).

🖼️  Museum-Quality Mounting

• Archival pigment print on museum-grade photographic paper
• Face-mounted to optical acrylic with aluminum composite backing
  
• Professional hanging system included
• Strictly limited edition, signed and numbered by the artist
• Certificate of Authenticity included
• Produced by certified fine art laboratories
• Production time: 7-12 business days

🤝 Social Impact

10-15% of each sale supports The Neon Museum Las Vegas Sign Conservation Fund — preserving endangered neon craftsmanship for future generations.

📜 Certificate of Authenticity

Each artwork includes:

• Numbered certificate signed by the artist
• Historical documentation: Grace Silver, Learning from Las Vegas, Casino connection
• Edition number and total (e.g., 3/25)

Photographs from The Neon Museum, Las Vegas collection.