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Signs For Sale
French 18th Century Forged Iron Folk Art Baroque Tavern Sign
French 18th Century Forged Iron Folk Art Baroque Tavern Sign

French 18th Century Forged Iron Folk Art Baroque Tavern Sign

Located in Buisson, FR

Important and beautiful 18th century Tavern sign depicting a rearing white horse with a crowned coat of arms on its back. Most likely from the Alsace, France due to the German influe...

Category

18th Century French Baroque Antique Signs

Materials

Iron

French, 19th Century Folk Art Iron Shoemakers Shop Trade Sign Circa 1800-1850
French, 19th Century Folk Art Iron Shoemakers Shop Trade Sign Circa 1800-1850

French, 19th Century Folk Art Iron Shoemakers Shop Trade Sign Circa 1800-1850

Located in Buisson, FR

One of a kind folk art riveted sheet iron shoemakers shop sign. Amazing item that was once the trade sign of a boot/ shoe maker or shoe shop in the early 19th century. Great piece in...

Category

19th Century French Folk Art Antique Signs

Materials

Iron

Antique Hand Painted Double-Sided French Cafe Wall Trade Sign. c.1920
Antique Hand Painted Double-Sided French Cafe Wall Trade Sign. c.1920

Antique Hand Painted Double-Sided French Cafe Wall Trade Sign. c.1920

Located in London, GB

A mid-20th century hand painted French trade sign. c.1940 Double sided French trade sign for CAFES MAURICE, a company still in existence today. Wonderful patination and depth of col...

Category

1940s English Industrial Vintage Signs

Materials

Metal

Antique Industrial Art Deco Brass Ladies & Gents Toilet Illuminated Sign, C.1920
Antique Industrial Art Deco Brass Ladies & Gents Toilet Illuminated Sign, C.1920

Antique Industrial Art Deco Brass Ladies & Gents Toilet Illuminated Sign, C.1920

Located in London, GB

A stunning pair of illuminated glass toilet signs made in England by Burnham & Co, Deptford. c.1920 These original Art Deco-era signs feature solid brass frames with their origina...

Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Signs

Materials

Brass

Antique Oil On Board Painting by Paul Henri Schouten - Belgium, c.1925
Antique Oil On Board Painting by Paul Henri Schouten - Belgium, c.1925

Antique Oil On Board Painting by Paul Henri Schouten - Belgium, c.1925

Located in London, GB

A large and detailed, early 20th century portrait painting of a cockerel. Belgium, c.1925 Painted and signed by Paul Henri Schouten, renowned for his finely observed oil studies of ...

Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Signs

Materials

Pine

Hand Made Wooden Dairy Farm Bull Wall Sculpture
Hand Made Wooden Dairy Farm Bull Wall Sculpture

Hand Made Wooden Dairy Farm Bull Wall Sculpture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Large hand made bull sculpture came out of a dairy farm from the Midwest. Made from planks and carved and painted on one side. This item is very strong and sturdy. Large and has grea...

Category

Early 20th Century American Adirondack Signs

Materials

Wood

Incredible Rare Neon Vintage Hotel Sign
Incredible Rare Neon Vintage Hotel Sign

Incredible Rare Neon Vintage Hotel Sign

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Eye popping one of a kind vintage Hotel neon sign, 2 sided mounted on a tin horizontal box. It’s a sculptural work of art. Freshly rewired with 12 ft. cord with standard plug.

Category

1950s American Vintage Signs

Materials

Steel

Rare 1920's can "Drugs" Sign /Arrow, LIGHT UP milk glass letters, double sided
Rare 1920's can "Drugs" Sign /Arrow, LIGHT UP milk glass letters, double sided

Rare 1920's can "Drugs" Sign /Arrow, LIGHT UP milk glass letters, double sided

Located in Buffalo, NY

Rare 1920's can "Drugs" Sign /Arrow, LIGHT UP milk glass letters, double sided,, Pre-dates NEON,, Truly amazing sign,, Salvaged from an old Pharmacist,, apparently hung outside (late...

Category

1920s American Art Deco Vintage Signs

Materials

Metal, Cut Steel

Vintage Metal "B Avenue" Street Sign - City of Coronado, California
Vintage Metal "B Avenue" Street Sign - City of Coronado, California

Vintage Metal "B Avenue" Street Sign - City of Coronado, California

Located in San Diego, CA

Super cool vintage metal "B Avenue" street sign from the city of Coronado, California, circa 1970s. The piece is in good vintage condition with a distressed patina and measures: 24"W...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Signs

Materials

Metal

Large Carved Pub Sign
Large Carved Pub Sign

Large Carved Pub Sign

Located in Greenwich, CT

A pub sign depicting a whimsical fox emerging from a gilt jug, of very large scale. Hand-hewn from solid wood and skilfully relief carved - the fox has distinct fur, legs, ear, snou...

Category

1930s English Folk Art Vintage Signs

Materials

Wood

Fair Play Basketball Scoreboard, 1980s USA
Fair Play Basketball Scoreboard, 1980s USA

Fair Play Basketball Scoreboard, 1980s USA

By Fair Play

Located in Los Angeles, CA

An authentic slice of American sports history, this massive original 1980s scoreboard was manufactured by Trans-Lux Fair-Play, a leader in athletic display technology. Bold in design...

Category

1980s American Vintage Signs

Materials

Aluminum

Double Sided Vintage Marlboro Light Up Cigarette Pack, 1990s USA
Double Sided Vintage Marlboro Light Up Cigarette Pack, 1990s USA

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

aRT dECO  1940s / 50s Modernist Light -up "TELEPHONE" SIGN.... 40" LONG
aRT dECO  1940s / 50s Modernist Light -up "TELEPHONE" SIGN.... 40" LONG

aRT dECO 1940s / 50s Modernist Light -up "TELEPHONE" SIGN.... 40" LONG

By Ilka Plast

Located in Buffalo, NY

aRT dECO 1940s / 50s Modernist Light -up "TELEPHONE" SIGN.... 40" LONG...eMbossed form plastic lettering,,Stunning graphic, pull chain on/off switch.Retains original metal can,,orig...

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs

Materials

Metal

Large Channel Letter A Circus Lettering Advertising Sign from the the 1960s
Large Channel Letter A Circus Lettering Advertising Sign from the the 1960s

Large Channel Letter A Circus Lettering Advertising Sign from the the 1960s

Located in Vienna, AT

A beautiful and decorative large vintage tin channel letter “A” made of sheet metal, painted in a vibrant yellow with red sides. It is dated around the 1960s, though it may be older....

Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Industrial Signs

Materials

Sheet Metal, Tin

19th Century French Cast Iron Butcher's Shop Trade Sign in the Form of a Cow
19th Century French Cast Iron Butcher's Shop Trade Sign in the Form of a Cow

19th Century French Cast Iron Butcher's Shop Trade Sign in the Form of a Cow

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

French cast iron butcher shop trade sign retaining old paint and cast in low relief in the form of a steer wearing a tasseled blanket and with it's head turned. The blanked cast with...

Category

Late 19th Century French Folk Art Antique Signs

Materials

Iron

Rare 1970s Adult Peep Show, Books & Magazines, Large Plastic Embossed Sign XXX
Rare 1970s Adult Peep Show, Books & Magazines, Large Plastic Embossed Sign XXX

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 original aluminum frame, can be back lit with LED. Small star crack to top of Red "S", minor loss of paint and scuffs. Subject matter is in the style of photographer Terry Richardson...

Category

1970s American Vintage Signs

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Double Sided Hand Painted Rat Terrier Puppies Sign c.1930
Vintage Double Sided Hand Painted Rat Terrier Puppies Sign c.1930

Vintage Double Sided Hand Painted Rat Terrier Puppies Sign c.1930

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT An original hand painted, metal sign advertising rat terrier puppies for sale. Painted over another sign. Size of dog varies with one side much larger. This piece has retained...

Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Signs

Materials

Sheet Metal

Monumental 1930s Wood No Smoking Sign from New York City
Monumental 1930s Wood No Smoking Sign from New York City

Monumental 1930s Wood No Smoking Sign from New York City

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Monumental hand carved wood sign from the 1930s. Made by H.H. Upham & Co. Interestingly, this company owned a huge sign manufacturing business in the ...

Category

1930s American Vintage Signs

Materials

Wood

Antique Vintage French Double Sided Glass Pharmacy Chemist Apothecary Sign
Antique Vintage French Double Sided Glass Pharmacy Chemist Apothecary Sign

Antique Vintage French Double Sided Glass Pharmacy Chemist Apothecary Sign

Located in Sale, GB

- A beautiful and rare double sided glass 'Pharmacie' sign mounted in its original frame, France circa 1930. - The sign is of exceptional quality and has glass to both sides, light w...

Category

Early 20th Century British Signs

Materials

Glass

Early 20th Century Handmade Folky Carved Menu Board Adirondack
Early 20th Century Handmade Folky Carved Menu Board Adirondack

Early 20th Century Handmade Folky Carved Menu Board Adirondack

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fantastic old school menu board from the forties and in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Jagged edges with colorful writings for an upstate New York restaurant. This is...

Category

1940s American Adirondack Vintage Signs

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

SS United States Sign Notice and Information for Passengers
SS United States Sign Notice and Information for Passengers

SS United States Sign Notice and Information for Passengers

Located in Hanover, MA

Hefty enameled solid aluminum framed passenger safety and information sign from Passenger Stateroom 139 on the Main deck of the SS United States. Fo...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs

Materials

Aluminum

Think Big Giant Matches and Matchbox
Think Big Giant Matches and Matchbox

Think Big Giant Matches and Matchbox

By Think Big

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Fantastic set of oversized matches and matchbox, made by Think Big NYC in 1984. Set contains all 8 original matches. Box slides open as a normal matchbox...

Category

1980s American Vintage Signs

Materials

Plastic, Paper, Felt, Wood, Paint

Chinese Signboard with Gold Coloured Calligraphy from Hardwood, C. 1900
Chinese Signboard with Gold Coloured Calligraphy from Hardwood, C. 1900

Chinese Signboard with Gold Coloured Calligraphy from Hardwood, C. 1900

Located in Jimbaran, Bali

With a wood coloured base this signboard (crafted entirely from wood) highlights 3 large gold coloured Chinese Characters. The signboard dates to the early 20th Century and has aged ...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Signs

Materials

Wood, Paint

English Pub Sign, "Free House - The Lord Nelson"
English Pub Sign, "Free House - The Lord Nelson"

English Pub Sign, "Free House - The Lord Nelson"

Located in Austin, TX

An authentic English pub sign (one-sided) featuring a portrait painting of Lord Nelson in full regalia, entitled: Free House - The Lord Nelson. A free house in Great Britain is a pu...

Category

20th Century English Signs

Materials

Metal

1960s English Carnival Sign
1960s English Carnival Sign

1960s English Carnival Sign

Located in High Point, NC

1960s carnival art sign from England. It is advertising a cake walk on one side of the sign, and on the back has a charming message "Have a nice Victorian day". Great sign for any co...

Category

1960s English Folk Art Vintage Signs

Materials

Wood

Vintage French Christian Dior Advertising Statue, 1960s
Vintage French Christian Dior Advertising Statue, 1960s

Vintage French Christian Dior Advertising Statue, 1960s

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Beautiful and intruiging advertising statue for Christian Dior. This would have been used on a shop counter or to draw attention in a shop windo...

Category

1960s French Art Deco Vintage Signs

Materials

Plaster

Fair Play Basketball Scoreboard, 1980s USA
Fair Play Basketball Scoreboard, 1980s USA

Fair Play Basketball Scoreboard, 1980s USA

By Fair Play

Located in Los Angeles, CA

An authentic slice of American sports history, this slim original 1980s scoreboard was manufactured by Trans-Lux Fair-Play, a leader in athletic display technology. Bold in design an...

Category

1980s American Vintage Signs

Materials

Aluminum

'COME ON IN' Neon Sign , 1990s USA
'COME ON IN' Neon Sign , 1990s USA

'COME ON IN' Neon Sign , 1990s USA

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Custom neon sign with aluminum channel cut letters. COME ON IN, lights up with green neon gas. Just under 6 feet long. Welcoming sign and fun piece of...

Category

1990s American Signs

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage French Christian Dior Advertising Statue, 1960s
Vintage French Christian Dior Advertising Statue, 1960s

Vintage French Christian Dior Advertising Statue, 1960s

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Beautiful and intriguing advertising statue for Christian Dior. This would have been used on a shop counter or to draw attention in a shop windo...

Category

1960s French Art Deco Vintage Signs

Materials

Plaster

Vintage 'Lodging" Highway Sign
Vintage 'Lodging" Highway Sign

Vintage 'Lodging" Highway Sign

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Cool vintage highway sign in cobalt blue reflective metal. Depicts a person sleeping in bed. Sign was used to direct drivers to hotels/motels up ...

Category

1960s American Vintage Signs

Materials

Steel

“Whistle” Railway Sign, England 1870
“Whistle” Railway Sign, England 1870

“Whistle” Railway Sign, England 1870

Located in Culver City, CA

“Whistle” Railway Sign England, 1870 Painted backboard with alloy letters and glass “cats eye” reflectors. 96"L x 2.5"d x 18"h Ref. SIGN1682

Category

19th Century English Antique Signs

Materials

Metal

Elks Club B.P.O.E. 2 Sided Enamel Sign
Elks Club B.P.O.E. 2 Sided Enamel Sign

Elks Club B.P.O.E. 2 Sided Enamel Sign

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Elks club enamel two sided sign, incredibly vibrant colors with minimal chipping to edges very clean example of a great graphic image. Much harder to find is this 30" round model!

Category

20th Century American Art Deco Signs

Materials

Enamel

Old School 1940's / 50's NEON "MOTEL" Sign..Classic Font
Old School 1940's / 50's NEON "MOTEL" Sign..Classic Font

Old School 1940's / 50's NEON "MOTEL" Sign..Classic Font

Located in Buffalo, NY

Classic vintage NEON "MOTEL" sign salvaged from a motel in Niagara Falls Canada,, Retains original finish & patina,, New transformer, metal replaced to bottom of can,, (see photo)

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs

Materials

Metal

Fabulous Vintage Wisconsin Kickapoo Valley Handmade Sign
Fabulous Vintage Wisconsin Kickapoo Valley Handmade Sign

Fabulous Vintage Wisconsin Kickapoo Valley Handmade Sign

Located in Hopewell, NJ

A rare vintage hand made rustic sign in the shape of an arrowhead with charming words including “Ocooch mountains” Wisconsin Kickapoo written with a naive hand. Painting of an Indi...

Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Signs

Materials

Wood

Early 20th century English Hand Painted “HELL” Sign
Early 20th century English Hand Painted “HELL” Sign

Early 20th century English Hand Painted “HELL” Sign

Located in London, GB

Early 20th century English Hand Painted “HELL” Sign Originally this sign was reclaimed from a shoe shop named “Shellington Shoes” in Essex. Most of the sign was damaged but we luck...

Category

1920s British Victorian Vintage Signs

Materials

Pine

Cigars Store / Trade Folk Art Wooden Carved Sign. c 1900
Cigars Store / Trade Folk Art Wooden Carved Sign. c 1900

Cigars Store / Trade Folk Art Wooden Carved Sign. c 1900

Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos

American Folk art wooden "CIGARS" sign from the 1920's. Great old Store Trade sign. Wood cut to cigar shape. Lettered in Gold Paint. In good conditions, it was a in doors sign. Perfect for any cigar smoker. Cigars History: A cigar is basically dried tobacco leaves that are rolled and wrapped by other tobacco leaves in order to give you a full tobacco smoking experience. Cigars are becoming more popular all around the world recently because they are exposed to a pop culture where a lot of famous people like Michael Jordan and Arnold Schwarzenegger smoke them. In order to understand why cigars have become very well-known, we need to take a good look at their history and where they came from. That way, we can truly understand this pop phenomenon. Here is a brief history of cigars. Origin of Cigars The exact origin of cigars is not entirely known but historians believe that cigars were first invented by the ancient Mayans. The ancient Mayans would collect tobacco leaves and wrap them up in a plantain leave in order to smoke it. An ancient Mayan pot...

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

19thc Original  Blue Dated 1913 Cutting Board
19thc Original  Blue Dated 1913 Cutting Board

19thc Original Blue Dated 1913 Cutting Board

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This 19thc Original blue painted round cutting board was signed and dated as it was given to someone in 1913 ! It is in very good condition and painted on the front and unpainted on ...

Category

Mid-19th Century American Adirondack Antique Signs

Materials

Wood

Vintage Framed Yellow Cabs Sign c.1940-1950
Vintage Framed Yellow Cabs Sign c.1940-1950

Vintage Framed Yellow Cabs Sign c.1940-1950

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT A vintage Yellow Cabs sign framed with a thick wooden frame. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1950. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Mat Board, Wood. C...

Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Signs

Materials

Wood

Unintentionally Whimsical Lobster Pound Sign, circa 1970
Unintentionally Whimsical Lobster Pound Sign, circa 1970

Unintentionally Whimsical Lobster Pound Sign, circa 1970

Located in Nantucket, MA

Unintentionally Whimsical Lobster Pound Sign, circa 1970, a great vintage hand-painted two board trade sign for a lobster pound. I love the idea of advertising where lobsters can par...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century Handmade Folky Carved Menu Board Adirondack
Early 20th Century Handmade Folky Carved Menu Board Adirondack

Early 20th Century Handmade Folky Carved Menu Board Adirondack

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fabulous hand painted and handcrafted Adirondack carved menu board. Fantastic classic example of an early 20th century piece of an woodsy menu board from an upstate New York restaura...

Category

1940s American Adirondack Vintage Signs

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Important Folk Art Trade Sign
Important Folk Art Trade Sign

Important Folk Art Trade Sign

$10,320Sale Price|20% Off

Important Folk Art Trade Sign

Located in Greenwich, CT

A mid 19th Century folk art trade sign of demilune form, depicting a Native American chief holding a peace pipe and tomahawk wearing a headdress of white and red feathers, wearing a decorated tunic, supported by “s” scrolls, possibly a cover for a paddle boat wheel...

Category

19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs

Materials

Wood

Monumental Los Angeles 101 Freeway Sign, 1988 USA
Monumental Los Angeles 101 Freeway Sign, 1988 USA

Monumental Los Angeles 101 Freeway Sign, 1988 USA

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Cool Los Angeles freeway sign retired from the 101 freeway. Made in the the 1980s. This freeway takes you north/ south along the entire west coast of the United States from San Diego...

Category

1980s American Vintage Signs

Materials

Steel

1940s Native American Trading Post Wooden Sign
1940s Native American Trading Post Wooden Sign

1940s Native American Trading Post Wooden Sign

Located in Los Angeles, CA

1940s Native American wooden painted trading post sign. Colors are vibrant. This is what paint collectors appreciate. The natural fade and slight crackling of the paint showing true ...

Category

1940s American Adirondack Vintage Signs

Materials

Wood

Hand-painted sheet metal swordfish sign England 1950s
Hand-painted sheet metal swordfish sign England 1950s

Hand-painted sheet metal swordfish sign England 1950s

Located in Milan, IT

Curious sign depicting swordfish in hand-painted sheet metal. English manufacture 1930s. Bon état. Measures 161x50x18 cm - inches 63.4x19.7x7. The swordfish is distinguished by it...

Category

Mid-20th Century Signs

Materials

Metal

Classic Motion Action Ad Neon Advertizing Clock
Classic Motion Action Ad Neon Advertizing Clock

Classic Motion Action Ad Neon Advertizing Clock

By Neon Products

Located in Buffalo, NY

Classic Motion Action Ad Neon Advertizing Clock.. Wonderful light blue neon,aLL Original., Clock working and keeping perfect time,, Outer wood case in original condition,, Top finish...

Category

1950s American Industrial Vintage Signs

Materials

Metal

English Pub Sign, "Nag's Head"
English Pub Sign, "Nag's Head"

English Pub Sign, "Nag's Head"

Located in Austin, TX

An authentic English pub sign (two-sided) featuring a painting of a horse's head in a bridle entitled: Nag's Head. A very fine example of vintage advertising artwork, ready for disp...

Category

20th Century English Signs

Materials

Metal

1970’s New York Bus Stop Sign
1970’s New York Bus Stop Sign

1970’s New York Bus Stop Sign

Located in Bradenton, FL

A 1970’s New York bus stop sign made of metal. An art deco stylized bus in blue is set in a white rectangle above the words “BUS STOP” in blue and “NO S...

Category

1970s American Vintage Signs

Materials

Metal

19th Century Folk Art Upholstery Trade Sign
19th Century Folk Art Upholstery Trade Sign

19th Century Folk Art Upholstery Trade Sign

Located in San Francisco, CA

Wonderful 19th century hand painted folk art upholstery trade sign. Double sided wooden trade sign for an old upholstery shop in San Francisco. A rare piece of San Francisco history...

Category

Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs

Materials

Wood

Zinc and Gold Horse Head Butchers Trade Sign Flemish 1860
Zinc and Gold Horse Head Butchers Trade Sign Flemish 1860

Zinc and Gold Horse Head Butchers Trade Sign Flemish 1860

Located in Hastings, GB

19th century Flemish gilt zinc horse head trade sign. This beautiful hand made sign was used by a Flemish butcher and dates to circa 1860. There are still remnants of the beautiful g...

Category

1860s Belgian Folk Art Antique Signs

Materials

Zinc

Breitling Retail Store Display Advertising Sign
Breitling Retail Store Display Advertising Sign

Breitling Retail Store Display Advertising Sign

By Breitling

Located in Forney, TX

A scarce vintage Breitling watch three-dimensional retail store advertising display stand window sign. Rare large free-standing example, only given to select dealers, featuring a tall rectangular solid wood frame, raised chrome Breitling letters, over a yellow jet plane in sculptural relief form, on a most distinctive artistically distressed background; the reverse finished with a flueele fabric and adorned with the Breitling 1884 logo; rising on metal feet. Dimensions: (approx) 29.5" High, 24.5" Wide, 5.5" Deep Condition Report: Great original unrestored vintage condition. Presents well. Some condition issues/retaining vintage character marks and charm, including scattered nicks, mainly to the front top right frame, minor scuffs to the letters, scratches, slight bend to left foot pad, all typical wear consistent with age and indicative of industrial use. At the time of writing this, we also have some other luxury watch store signage / merchandising displays, including Rolex, Panerai, Cartier, antique clock...

Category

Late 20th Century Industrial Signs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Matched Pair of Edwardian Milk Glass Shop Signs
Matched Pair of Edwardian Milk Glass Shop Signs

Matched Pair of Edwardian Milk Glass Shop Signs

Located in London, GB

Matched pair of Edwardian milk glass shop signs. We share what we love, and we love this rare, matched pair of Edwardian milk glass shop signs. One stating “All kinds of repairs” ...

Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Signs

Materials

Milk Glass

Antique, New and Vintage Signs

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.