Vintage Metal Letters
408
3
to
14
338
64
409
409
409
48
41
41
15
9
8
2
2
2
1
62
343
3
87
168
31
7
2
8
41
23
39
31
7
13
2
205
123
36
27
26
268
256
103
43
25
2
1
1
1
1
Sort By
1950s Era Large Metal Letters
Located in Surrey, BC
only an "O" "l" x 2 left
Two sets of custom-made metal letters made for the Wilkinson steel
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Signs
Materials
Metal
Antique Architectural Bank Building Bronze "No" Letters
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic cast bronze vintage letters. Great way to get your point across! Salvaged from a bank
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Gold Giltwood Carved Letters William Trade Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Classic 19th century American wood trade sign with chunky hand carved and gold painted letters
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Large Antique Handcrafted Folk Art Sign ..MASONIC TEMPLE, Raised Letters
Located in Buffalo, NY
,, Retains original finish,, patina,, modeled blue background,, raised letters.
Category
Vintage 1910s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Eat or Tea Large Scale 1950s American Porcelain Enameled Steel Letters Sign
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Superb large scale American 1950s porcelain enameled metal letters, over 24" high, originally used
Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Signs
Materials
Metal
H 24.5 in W 21 in D 0.75 in
Set of 7 Mid-Century Era Painted Wood Carnival Folk Art Sign Box Letters
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of seven Folk Art wooden box letters were made in Canada is circa 1965 and were once
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Large Antique Wooden "Keep Maine Green" Sign c.1940-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A hand painted wood sign with applied letters "Keep Maine Green".
CREATOR Unknown
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Plastic, Wood
Scandinavian blue glass and gold boutique shoe shop sign
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
look stunning backlit or it could even be professionally cut into words or letters to re-arrange into
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Victorian Signs
Materials
Glass, Art Glass
Wood 'Dinner' Sign, 1980s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
borders. The reverse side features colorful flowers and the word "TEA" painted in maroon letters. Eye
Category
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Art
Materials
Wood
Wood 'Lunch' Sign, 1980s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
borders. The reverse side features colorful flowers and the word "ROSE" painted in maroon letters. Eye
Category
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Art
Materials
Wood
Breitling Retail Store Display Advertising Sign
By Breitling
Located in Forney, TX
solid wood frame, raised chrome Breitling letters, over a yellow jet plane in sculptural relief form, on
Category
Late 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Vintage Italian PIZZA Sign. 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Vintage industrial grey iron sing “PIZZA”. Set of five letters was made during the 1970s in Italy
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Industrial Signs
Materials
Iron
Large Painted Decorative Wood And Metal “Etoile” Sign
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Decorative sign. In separate white painted metal capital letters with applied mirror fleur-de-lis
Category
20th Century Hollywood Regency Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
Vintage Painted Wood Folk Art Showroom Trade Sign
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
American Folk Art trade sign with hand-carved "Showroom" letters and an arrow. The letters and
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
Authentic Antique Folk Art Equestrian Horse Farm Sign
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Charming hand made vintage horse farm sign that is finished front and back. The horse and letters
Category
Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
French La Belle Époque Lighted Bistro Cafe Sign
Located in Rio Vista, CA
lacquer finish with pierced letters reading "Montre Ponctua" or a promise to be on time. The large sign
Category
Antique 19th Century French Belle Époque Signs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Blue and White 'Hairdressing' Sign
Located in Cirencester, GB
This French 'Coiffure' sign is mid 20th century. The silvery/blue Zinc letters are on a painted
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Zinc
Vintage Large Painted 3d Industrial Builders Trade Wall Sign Plaque, C.1940
Located in London, GB
highest quality for a builder local to Leamington Spa. Cast and painted letters mounted to white painted
Category
Mid-20th Century English Industrial Signs
Materials
Aluminum
H 23.23 in W 32.29 in D 1.97 in
"No Diving" POOL Sign, 1980s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage pool sign that reads "No Diving or Swimming Off Bridge". Bold reflective white letters on a
Category
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Art
Materials
Metal
No Loitering Street Sign, 1980s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
white letters on a reflective white background. Good vintage condition and scale with wear as shown.
Category
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Art
Materials
Metal
Elkwood, Late 19th Century American Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
With carved gilt wood letters with mounted against a blue painted sand ground
American, c. 1890.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
"Save a Life" Pool Sign, 1980s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage pool sign that reads "Save A Life". Bold blue letters on a white background. Great colors
Category
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Art
Materials
Metal
Harvard University Pennant Banner, circa.1920-1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage university pennant banner with sewn letters and tassels.
Creator A & Co. New York
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Felt
Neighborhood Watch Street Sign, 1980s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage street sign that reads "This is a Neighborhood Watch Community". Black letters on a
Category
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Art
Materials
Metal
Princeton University Pennant Banner, circa 1920-1940 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage Princeton University pennant banners with sewn letters and tassels.
Creator A & Co. New
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Felt
Harvard University Pennant Banner, circa 1920-1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage university pennant banner with sewn letters and tassels.
CREATOR A & Co. New York
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Felt
Circa 1890 Hardware Store Wood Trade Sign Carved Smaltz Black and Gold Paint
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Exceptional late 19th century hand carved letters with black and Gold paint and black smaltz
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
H 17.25 in W 64 in D 3.5 in
Large Woolworth & Co Gilt Metal Number Ten Sign Wall Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
. Made in the 1920s, these numbers letters have become very hard to find. They became available when F. W
Category
Vintage 1920s American Signs
Materials
Metal
Manhole Cover Prototype Folk Art, 1960s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
letters nailed to the front of the main ply of the cap giving it its design. The base has some crossbars
Category
Vintage 1960s American Signs
Materials
Wood
Manhole Cover Prototype Folk Art, 1960s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
letters and trim nailed to the front of the main ply of the cap giving it its design and then finished by
Category
Vintage 1960s American Signs
Materials
Wood
Trade Sign Depicting a Huge Skimmer Ladle, France, 1900
Located in Milan, IT
, made out of boxwood and iron, with 2 painted letters E X. France 1900 ca.
Category
Early 20th Century Antiquities
Materials
Iron
Large Princeton University Banner C.1914 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original large Princeton University banner class of 1914. Hand sewn letters and numbers
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Felt
Vintage Neon "YOU" Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage neon sign, spelling Y - O - U. handcut metal channel letters with hand bent neon glass
Category
Vintage 1980s American Signs
Materials
Metal
Rare 1970s Adult Peep Show, Books & Magazines, Large Plastic Embossed Sign XXX
By Terry Richardson
Located in St. Louis, MO
Large 1970s sign with embossed letters, Adult Peep Show - Books & Magazines. Sold without its
Category
Vintage 1970s American Signs
Materials
Plastic
H 48 in W 60 in D 1.75 in
Early 20th Century American "Chiropractor" Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
classic black background adorned with bold, radiant yellow letters spelling out "CHIROPRACTOR." This panel
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Los Angeles County Line Freeway Sign, 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
the county of Los Angeles. Reflective letters and border as well as a protective plastic sheet over
Category
1990s American Contemporary Art
Materials
Aluminum
19th Century American Trade Sign 'Crook', Medina, NY
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
with 10" x 12" giltwood letters spelling 'Crook'
Inscribed on back " (obliterated) Medina N.Y." Refer
Category
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
French Anatomy Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
ANATOMIE. 8 free standing letters. Patina and wear to metal. Great piece of wall art that can have multiple
Category
Vintage 1960s French Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Metal
1950's Commercial Sign "All - Stainless Inc"
Located in Hanover, MA
panel of patinated blue colored aluminum with 1/4" thick die cut letters in natural colored aluminum
Category
Vintage 1950s American Industrial Signs
Materials
Aluminum
Ladies ‘Dame’ Mid Century Restroom Sign from South of France Made in Metal
Located in London, GB
dimensional letters made from metal box cut and riveted and welded on to a base plate in Original painted
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Metal
H 7.29 in W 22.45 in D 1.19 in
19th c Giant Wooden Advertising Thermometer NY Life Insurance Co "NYLIC"
Located in Savannah, GA
. Some fading of the black stamped on letters and numbers but over-all in great condition with the
Category
Antique 1890s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Belgian Vintage Tole Free Mounted Shop Sign
Located in Atlanta, GA
individually to taste. It is made of the four letters Végé and includes the logo topped by a crown carving
Category
20th Century Belgian Signs
Materials
Metal
Very Early X-Ray Building Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
thick. The letters are painted in the negative, just like an X-ray. The letters are "white" and the
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Industrial Signs
Materials
Tin
Hollywood Sign Artist Model
Located in Los Angeles, CA
at a later time. Letters are perfect scale. Made of wood with metal rods attached to plant into the
Category
Early 2000s American Signs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Czech Shop Sign, 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
This set of shop sign letters is made of steel sheet and spells out the Czech words "Smisene Zbozi
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Signs
Materials
Steel
1981 California Highway Lodging Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
. Letters and trim have reflective pieces. Great coloring and condition. Fantastic piece of west coast
Category
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Art
Materials
Steel
19th Century Antique Ships Chandler Shop Advertising Sign
Located in Peabody, MA
waterfront business by its pictorial cue than the printed letters. Measures 43” high x 35” x 5” deep.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Antique Sign for Bicycles Delta, Belgium, 1934
Located in Antwerp, BE
under the letters GROOTE. If you don't know you won't notice , but we want to mention it.
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Signs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Yellow & Black Painted Steel 'Slow Children' Traffic or Street Sign
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage traffic or street sign.
With graphics of a child running & large block letters
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Steel
H 23.88 in W 18 in D 0.5 in
RICH Sign
Located in Darnestown, MD
the 1930's. Letters are metal with nicely patinated gold paint that may be gold leaf.
Category
Vintage 1930s American Signs
1920s Tin Advertising Sign for Chicorée Mondiale by Rob Otten, Belgium
By Rob Otten
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mondiale. This Art Deco Sign is dated 1927.
The Letters are pressed into the metal, what gives relief to
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Art Deco Signs
Materials
Tin
Advertising Mirror “Crawford’s Delightful Biscuits” Baker or Cafe
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
mirror is set in a 2” wide oak frame, in the centre in large letters etched into the glass it advertises
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Signs
Materials
Mirror
Selection of Connecticut Subway or Bus Signs
Located in Atlanta, GA
executed on a black canvas material in white letters. They are framed in simple, clean lined, black lacquer
Category
Vintage 1950s American Industrial Signs
Materials
Canvas
Vintage Americana Mid-Century Neon Barber Shop Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
three dimensional channel letters. Many layers of red, white and blue paint surface and original neon
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Three Dimensional Double-Sided Wooden Hovis Tea Shop Sign
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
sign is in wood it has been made with applied large letters, sadly here is a few bits missing but they
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Signs
Art Deco Chrome & Glass Skyscraper Directory Sign
Located in Hanover, MA
the brass clips to remove the black felt board. Pin your letters or announcement to the felt then
Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Picture Frames
Materials
Chrome, Steel, Aluminum
1959 California Highway 'Signal Ahead' Sign with Reflectors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 'Signal Ahead' yellow sign from a California Highway. Letters are made of reflectors. Stamped
Category
Vintage 1950s American Decorative Art
Materials
Steel
12.5 Foot Tall Vintage Neon Bowling Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive 12.5 foot tall metal and neon bowling sign from the 1960s. Sign is red with white letters
Category
Vintage 1960s American Signs
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage French Letters "N. A. G."
Located in New York, NY
Vintage metal three-dimensional letters with worn green paint. Only letters available: N A G
Category
Vintage 1950s French Decorative Art
Materials
Steel
Huge French "DECOR" Letters in Black Paint
Located in Woodbury, CT
We sourced these amazing letters in Provence and thought they'd be the perfect find for a shop or
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Aluminum
- 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Vintage Metal Letters", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.
Vintage Metal Letters For Sale on 1stDibs
There is a range of vintage metal letters for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, wood and bronze, all vintage metal letters available were constructed with great care. There are all kinds of vintage metal letters available, from those produced as long ago as the 19th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. There are many kinds of vintage metal letters to choose from, but at 1stDibs, Industrial, Folk Art and Mid-Century Modern vintage metal letters are of considerable interest. Vintage metal letters have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Plasti-Line Inc. are consistently popular.
How Much are Vintage Metal Letters?
Prices for vintage metal letters start at $125 and top out at $5,500 with the average selling for $1,600.
Finding the Right Signs for You
Vintage and antique signs are popular collector’s items loved not only for the charm and pops of color they add to a space but also for the unique story each one has to tell. An interesting sign can help set the mood for a room and spark dozens of lively conversations.
Before and during the 18th century, many European peasants and colonists in the Americas couldn’t read, so shopkeepers, in an effort to promote their goods and services, hung trade signs with limited amounts of text.
Indeed, symbols and representational physical objects comprised early-day advertising efforts. In lieu of painted words on a wooden board, trade signs made use of handmade three-dimensional symbols to indicate the function of the shop. The iconic red, white and blue pole could be found outside barbershops, while a figural trade sign mounted to an apothecary’s storefront might be a mortar and pestle sculpted from bronze in order to indicate to passers-by that inside there were apothecary cabinets full of remedies for common ailments and a druggist to carefully dispense them.
As literacy rates improved, signs evolved into rectangular, round or square shapes that featured text. Short and sweet, early iterations were characterized by a mere few words, such as “tavern,” “boarding room” or “apothecary.”
During the 19th century, proprietors endeavored to render their signs more appealing. This meant the introduction of more color, font types and other pictorial representations. After the Civil War ended, logos, branding and advertising became increasingly more important, and the design of signage evolved. Trade signs were still in use during the 20th century, and you will likely find hand-painted tin eyeglasses for an optometrist’s office or an oversize bowling pin that likely had a home in the front window of a bowling alley.
Today, collectors and art aficionados alike collect and display antique and vintage signs. Old signs hearken back to a long-gone era, infusing any interior with warmth and nostalgia.
A vintage sign can help anchor a room — think of decorating with signs as you would arranging any kind of wall art. A large-scale sign in particular can prove a distinguishing feature in a living room or dining room, a focal point so prominent that it might lessen the burden of introducing any additional decorative elements to this particular space. Smaller signs work wonders too — pepper sparsely decorated corners with small colorful signs or add a humorous or graphic element to your gallery-style hang with a small text-based sign or two.
On 1stDibs, find metal, wood and glass antique and vintage signs that span a number of styles, including mid-century modern, industrial and folk art.
Questions About Vintage Metal Letters
Prices for most vintage metal letters on 1stdibs are negotiable. You’ll see a "Make an Offer" button on the item details page, indicating that the seller is willing to consider a lower price. It’s not uncommon for customers to get 15–25% off the list price after negotiating. See our tips for negotiating like a pro.
Only experienced, professional sellers who have applied and been thoroughly vetted by our team of experts can sell vintage metal letters and other quality items on our site. Learn more about becoming a 1stdibs seller.
The 1stdibs Buyer Protection Guarantee provides coverage for qualified purchases in the unlikely event that the item arrives not as described or is damaged. We’ll work with you and the seller to find a resolution, ensuring your satisfaction. View details
We have partnerships with the world's best shipping providers to facilitate seamless and fully-insured delivery from the seller's location directly to you, wherever you are in the world. Our logistics team is comprised of dedicated members who arrange all the details with our partners, servicing and supporting all shipments. Learn more about shipping on 1stdibs.
For your convenience, we offer multiple payment methods, including all major credit cards and PayPal. For many purchases we also offer financing options or wire transfer. Learn more about payment options on 1stdibs.
Read More
A Giant Wedding Cake Has Us Looking at Portuguese Tiles in a New Light
At Waddesdon Manor, artist Joana Vasconcelos has installed a three-tiered patisserie inspired by the narrative tile work of her homeland. We take a look at the cake sculpture and how Portuguese tiles have been used in architecture from the 17th century to today.
Why Jules Chéret Was the King of the Modern Poster
The streets of fin-de-siècle Paris were set aglow with colorful poster ads, thanks to the printing techniques invented by Jules Chéret. Now, the Milwaukee Art Museum is celebrating this undersung talent in America's first solo show dedicated his exuberant works.
Why the American Flag Has Had So Many Different Star Patterns
Expert Jeff Bridgman explains the history and meaning behind the twinkling constellations that have graced Old Glory.
Peggy Guggenheim Loved Modernism, but She Also Collected Tribal Art
The iconoclastic style setter displayed African and Oceanic art, as well as works by indigenous peoples of the Americas, alongside pieces by such major modernists as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.
The 13-Star American Flag Had More Variations Than You’d Think
Perfect for July 4th weekend, a new show at Philadelphia's Museum of the American Revolution displays an array of antique red, white and blue flags.
Tramp Art, America’s Most Misunderstood Art Form, Is Trending in Interiors
Designers are beginning to see this enigmatic form of folk art in a whole new light.
More Ways To Browse
Signed 18
All Stainless
Store Front
Logo Sign
Victorian Era
Antique Victorian Era
Vintage Shop Signs
Vintage Gold Scales
Vintage Dior 1950s
Vintage Art Deco Panel
Art Deco Oak Antique Furniture
Vintage Brass Clip
Victorian Men
Victorian Mens
Vintage Pine Antique Furniture
Metal Bistro
1950s Channel
Hand Turned Wood Signed