Cedar Rapids Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Old barber poles fade from public view in Louisville

In Louisville Kentucky collectors value the red white and stained glass barber poles once common outside tobacco shops. Antiques dealer Louis Litchfield notes poles from stained glass fetch 650 to 850 dollars and says he keeps a pole for himself while old wooden signs wane in popularity. Claude Isaacs recalls barber roots in Owsley County with 25 cent shaves and a tale of barbers as early surgeons.