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California Ephemera

California Freeway Sign, 1986 USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
and transportation ephemera. Stamped 'Property of the State of California 1986' on the reverse side
Category

Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

California Freeway Sign, 1986 USA
California Freeway Sign, 1986 USA
$16,500
H 72 in W 102 in D 1 in
Monumental California Drunk Drivers Highway Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
California transportation ephemera.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Signs

Materials

Steel

California ROADSIDE BUSINESS Freeway Sign, 1950s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
for California roadways. Stunning piece of California and transportation ephemera. 6 feet long and 2.5
Category

Vintage 1950s American Contemporary Art

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

'Adopt a Highway' California Road Sign, 2000s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
California and transportation ephemera. Stamped 'Property State of California' on the back.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Signs

Materials

Steel

Tall Architectural Magazine / Newspaper Holders Peter Pepper Products
By Peter Pepper Products
Located in Los Angeles, CA
California design. Form + function. Ephemera holder. Natural walnut with powder coated masonite
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Masonite

Large Big Bear Lake California Highway Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
California, cool piece of history. Great coloring and worn condition. Fantastic piece of California ephemera
Category

Vintage 1970s American Signs

Materials

Steel

Large Big Bear Lake California Highway Sign
Large Big Bear Lake California Highway Sign
$1,200
H 18 in W 53 in D 0.13 in

Recent Sales

KEM Weber the Moderne in Southern California, 1920-1941 Monograph with Ephemera
By David Gebhard, Harriette Von Breton
Located in Dallas, TX
KEM Weber University of California Santa Barbara Monograph & Ephemera Difficult to source
Category

Vintage 1970s American Art Deco Books

Materials

Paper

Large 'Scenic Route' California Highway Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
coloring and condition. Fantastic piece of California ephemera. Stamped 'State of California' on the back.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Contemporary Art

Materials

Steel

'Scenic Route' California Highway Sign, USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
coloring and condition. Fantastic piece of California ephemera. Stamped 'Property State of California' on
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Signs

Materials

Steel

Framed 'Scenic Route' California Highway Sign, USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
coloring and condition. Fantastic piece of California ephemera. Stamped 'Property State of California' on
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Signs

Materials

Steel

City of Los Angeles 'Share the Road' Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
. Cool piece of California ephemera.
Category

Early 2000s American Signs

Materials

Steel

Large Sunset Blvd Street Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
. Measures: 3 feet long by 18 inches tall. Fun piece of Los Angeles/California transportation ephemera.   
Category

1990s American Contemporary Art

Materials

Steel

Large Sunset Blvd Street Sign
Large Sunset Blvd Street Sign
H 18 in W 36 in D 0.13 in
Set of 3 State Park Signs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
signs. Fun piece of California, outdoors/camping ephemera. Good vintage condition. Each sign is 12" x 12".
Category

Vintage 1970s American Signs

Materials

Steel

Set of 3 State Park Signs
Set of 3 State Park Signs
H 12 in W 36 in D 0.13 in
Large 'Scenic Route' California Highway Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
coloring and condition. Fantastic piece of California ephemera. Stamped 'State of California' on the back.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Signs

Materials

Steel

Vintage Metal Horse Crossing Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
. Great patina to metal. Cool piece of California ephemera.  
Category

Vintage 1970s American Signs

Materials

Steel

California 'Begin' Road Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Property of California' on the back. Great coloring. Cool piece of California transportation ephemera. Good
Category

Vintage 1970s North American Signs

Materials

Metal

California 'Begin' Road Sign
California 'Begin' Road Sign
H 12.75 in W 26.25 in D 2 in

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Ginkgo Fireplace Screen in Aged Gold
Located in Dallas, TX
The Ginkgo Fireplace Screen is designed to be seen. This piece combines movement, elegance, and allure to make it the perfect piece to finish off your fireplace decor. Each leaf is f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Fireplaces and Mantels

Materials

Iron

Ginkgo Fireplace Screen in Aged Gold
Ginkgo Fireplace Screen in Aged Gold
$4,725 / item
H 29 in W 40 in D 5 in
Wood Tripod Heart Stool, 1950s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique heart tripod stool made in France, circa 1950s. Substantial and chunky heart shaped seat with three sturdy club legs with faceted sides. Perfect patina and age to this piece. ...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Brutalist Stools

Materials

Wood

Double Sided Vintage Marlboro Light Up Cigarette Pack, 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is the perfect Americana statement piece to add interest to any interior. This incredible vintage advertising light up box by Marlboro is eye-catching showpiece. These lights we...
Category

1990s American Signs

Materials

Steel

Flos Bilboquet Table Lamp of Polycarbonate and Steel in Tomato Color
By Philippe Malouin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Flos Bilboquet Table Lamp of Polycarbonate and Steel in Tomato Color by Philippe Malouin Table lamp with adjustable head. Integrated LED bulb and cut-off providing direct lighting ....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

Polychrome Terracotta Angel
Located in Baltimore, MD
A polychrome terracotta angel built in fifteen pieces, in the Luca Della Robbia tradition, salvaged from the Southern Hotel in downtown Baltimore, which was demolished in 1917. Cele...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Beaux Arts Architectural Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Polychrome Terracotta Angel
Polychrome Terracotta Angel
$4,950
H 70.5 in W 34 in D 5 in
Mid century Umberto Mascagni Black Bar Cabinet Dry Bar Tambor
By Umberto Mascagni
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing and refined Italian designer bar cabinet, 1950s / 60s. Following the style of Umberto Mascagni, an Italian designer who worked for Harrods in the 1950s, this small curved bar...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Metal

Mid century  Umberto Mascagni  Black Bar Cabinet Dry Bar Tambor
Mid century  Umberto Mascagni  Black Bar Cabinet Dry Bar Tambor
$2,538 Sale Price
20% Off
H 39.38 in W 35.83 in D 23.63 in
18th Century Wrought Iron Italian Antique Hobnail Safe Strong Box Bar Cabinet
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful and rare example of late 18th century Italian master blacksmith craftsmanship, this antique studded safe with typical all-around hobnails and great wrought iron details, pr...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Baroque Cabinets

Materials

Metal, Wrought Iron

Painted Ceramic White Swan Planter - Signed 1969
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A petite ceramic swan planter. Signed at the bottom, "Mother 1969" Dimensions: 10" Wide 7" Deep 9" Tall
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Painted Ceramic White Swan Planter - Signed 1969
Painted Ceramic White Swan Planter - Signed 1969
$220 Sale Price
20% Off
H 9 in W 10 in D 7 in
70s Uten.Silo by Dorothee Maurer-Becker M-Design production in dark brown
By M Design, Ingo Maurer
Located in München, DE
Original Uten.Silo II. Designed by Dorothee Maurer-Becker. For storage in various rooms. Versatile. A beautiful decorative design classic. Original Design-M Munich production from th...
Category

Vintage 1970s German Space Age Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Plastic

Large 26" x 26" Art Deco 2-color Hexagon Neon Clock by NEON DISPLAYS INC.
By Neon Products
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large 26" x 26" Art Deco 2-color Hexagon Neon Clock by NEON DISPLAYS INC. ,, Super clean example, Original clock face..Unusual original hands..Not certain ,but the outer neon tube ...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wall Clocks

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Ichthyosaur Fossil From Germany
Located in New York, NY
This remarkable Ichthyosaur fossil is a stunning example of a fully articulated marine reptile from the Jurassic period approximately 180 million years ago preserved in a large, natu...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier German Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Other

Ichthyosaur Fossil From Germany
Ichthyosaur Fossil From Germany
$500,000
H 34 in W 76 in D 2.25 in
Paul Evans Flip Top Cityscape Bar Cabinet
By Paul Evans
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Step back in time with this authentic, vintage Paul Evans Cityscape bar cabinet from the 1970s. This striking piece combines the distinct aesthetic of Paul Evans with the practicalit...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Burl

Paul Evans Flip Top Cityscape Bar Cabinet
Paul Evans Flip Top Cityscape Bar Cabinet
$9,000 Sale Price
40% Off
H 35.5 in W 36 in D 18 in
Moroccan Hand Tooled Leather Pouf in Baby Pink Color
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan baby pink color round pouf hand tooled and embroidered in Marrakesh. Beautiful geometrical designs are hand-stitched on this Moroccan stool by expert Artisan. Use these ...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Moorish Footstools

Materials

Leather

Art Deco Hexagonal NEON Advertising Clock "FAMOUS READING ANTHRACITE" red neon
By Neon Products
Located in Buffalo, NY
Art Deco Hexagonal NEON Advertising Clock "FAMOUS READING ANTHRACITE" Mining co. Made by Neon Products Ohio, Strong Visual ! All original,, Tested and keeping perfect time, Retains...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Steel

A vase by Svenkst Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn
Located in Long Island City, NY
A vintage vase produced by Svenkst Tenn. Sweden Circa 1940s. Pewter and brass. Marked " Modern Metallkunst Svenkst Tenn".
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Materials

Pewter

A vase by Svenkst Tenn
A vase by Svenkst Tenn
$1,900
H 9.8 in Dm 4 in
Cast Lead Bone "Relics"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast lead bones handmade for Merit. Extremely heavy and unique tabletop object and sculpture. Made in England. Only one bone still available.
Category

2010s English Natural Specimens

Materials

Lead

Cast Lead Bone "Relics"
Cast Lead Bone "Relics"
$1,200
H 3 in W 17.5 in D 3.75 in
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California Ephemera For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the california ephemera you’re looking for. Frequently made of metal, steel and paper, every california ephemera was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the california ephemera you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A california ephemera is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in modern styles are sought with frequency. Many designers have produced at least one well-made california ephemera over the years, but those crafted by Lawrence Schiller, Ted Streshinsky and Tom Wolfe are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a California Ephemera?

Prices for a california ephemera can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $445 and can go as high as $7,450, while the average can fetch as much as $2,500.

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.