Black Neon Signs
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Signs
Metal
Vintage 1980s American Signs
Metal
Late 20th Century American Signs
Metal
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21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
2010s Pop Art Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Ink, Mixed Media, Oil, Spray Paint, Acryli...
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco More Clocks
Metal
1990s Italian Post-Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Decorative Boxes
Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Sheffield and Silverplate
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century American Modern Mixed Media
Paper, Ink, Pen
Antique 1880s American Folk Art Signs
Silk
Antique 18th Century Dutch Other Prints
Paper
Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Toys and Dolls
Mohair, Cotton, Glass
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Pine
Vintage 1980s German Posters
Paper
Vintage 1970s French Space Age Architectural Elements
Metal, Aluminum
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Brass
Vintage 1960s French Decorative Boxes
Tin
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
Aluminum
Recent Sales
20th Century English Signs
Vintage 1930s American Signs
Metal
Vintage 1930s American Signs
Enamel, Metal
Vintage 1960s American Signs
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Signs
Enamel, Metal
Vintage 1930s American Signs
Porcelain
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Signs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary English Signs
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Signs
Glass, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Signs
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
21st Century and Contemporary English Signs
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Signs
Metal
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Signs
Glass
20th Century English Signs
20th Century English Signs
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Mounted Objects
Art Glass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
Steel
2010s American Signs
Blown Glass
Vintage 1970s American Signs
Sheet Metal
Vintage 1950s American Signs
Steel
Late 20th Century American Modern Signs
Blown Glass, Acrylic
1990s English Signs
Steel
Vintage 1980s American Signs
Glass, Acrylic
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Signs
Metal, Aluminum
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Signs
Metal
Vintage 1960s American Signs
Steel
Late 20th Century American Modern Signs
Glass, Plastic
1990s North American Signs
Glass, Lucite
Late 20th Century American Modern Signs
Other
Vintage 1980s American Signs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Signs
Metal
Mid-20th Century English Post-Modern Signs
Glass
Vintage 1930s American Steampunk Signs
Vintage 1970s American Signs
Steel
Vintage 1950s American Signs
Steel
Vintage 1940s Mid-Century Modern Signs
Vintage 1960s American Signs
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Signs
Enamel, Metal
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Signs
Enamel, Metal
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Signs
Steel
Vintage 1930s American Industrial Signs
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Signs
Steel
Vintage 1940s Mid-Century Modern Signs
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Signs
Vintage 1960s American Industrial Signs
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Signs
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Signs
Vintage 1930s American Signs
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Signs
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Signs
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Signs
20th Century American Signs
Sheet Metal
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Signs
Vintage 1960s American Signs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Signs
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Signs
Vintage 1940s American Streamlined Moderne Signs
21st Century and Contemporary American Decorative Art
Wood
Vintage 1980s English Signs
Black Neon Signs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Black Neon Signs?
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.
- Are Neon Signs Dangerous?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021As long as none of the chemical-containing tubes are broken, neon signs are totally safe. If a tube breaks and you come into contact with the mercury, you may want to consider seeking emergency medical attention.
- How much is a neon sign worth?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021How much a neon sign is worth will vary. Vintage neon signs generally fetch around $200 per sign but mid-century neon signs, dependent upon their condition, may be worth thousands of dollars. Neon signs from the 1950s and earlier are said to be more valuable than newer versions. Find a variety of vintage neon signs on 1stDibs.
- How long do neon signs last?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Neon signs can last anywhere between eight and 15 years depending on how long they're left on at a time.
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