Skip to main content

Signs

957 Results
to
58
946
10
1
655

Use search to find more

Use search to find more

1
1

Use search to find more

Vintage Retro Mid Century French Neon Illuminated Butchers Display Sign, c.1950
Vintage Retro Mid Century French Neon Illuminated Butchers Display Sign, c.1950

Vintage Retro Mid Century French Neon Illuminated Butchers Display Sign, c.1950

Located in London, GB

An incredibly rare French neon butchers trade sign. c.1950. A characterful hanging neon sign from a French butcher’s shop, its metal body finished in a flocked‑velvet coating that h...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Signs

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Vintage "B-A-R" Sign
Vintage "B-A-R" Sign

Vintage "B-A-R" Sign

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage "B-A-R" Sign Vintage B-A-R letters mounted to aluminum angle = "BAR" Letters are Painted Cast Aluminum by Wagner Sign Service as list on the back of each letter. "in good ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Signs

Materials

Aluminum

Antique Vintage Rustic Folk Art Metal Farm Sign
Antique Vintage Rustic Folk Art Metal Farm Sign

Antique Vintage Rustic Folk Art Metal Farm Sign

Located in Stockbridge, GB

Antique Metal Farm Sign An original metal hanging sign which would have hung at the entrance to Crosscombe Farm in Somerset, the sign is double sided with identical signage on both ...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Rustic Signs

Materials

Cut Steel

Vintage Illuminated Letter E , 1980s
Vintage Illuminated Letter E , 1980s

Vintage Illuminated Letter E , 1980s

Located in Kojetice, CZ

This vintage industrial illuminated letter E was made in Italy during the 1980s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a vhite metal body and a white plexiglass cover....

Category

1980s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs

Materials

Iron

New York City Subway Station Sign "Fulton Street" Porcelain Enamel
New York City Subway Station Sign "Fulton Street" Porcelain Enamel

New York City Subway Station Sign "Fulton Street" Porcelain Enamel

Located in Newfoundland, PA

New York City Subway "Fulton Street" Porcelain Enamel Station Sign Overview An exceptional piece of American industrial history, this authentic mid-century New York City subway pla...

Category

1930s American Industrial Vintage Signs

Materials

Metal

Old European Dachshund Sign in Cast Iron - Two Sided
Old European Dachshund Sign in Cast Iron - Two Sided

Old European Dachshund Sign in Cast Iron - Two Sided

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Old double-sided Dachshund sign in cast iron. Unknown Scandinavian or German maker circa 1930-60. It has been displayed outside and shows weathering, patina and rust. It is intact an...

Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs

Materials

Cast Iron

Vintage Smaller Folk Art 19th Century Barber Pole
Vintage Smaller Folk Art 19th Century Barber Pole

Vintage Smaller Folk Art 19th Century Barber Pole

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A great Folk Art barber pole in a smaller size that would hang on a post or in the front of the shop with holes to the reverse. Having fantastic patina with wear, age and being repai...

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Hand-Painted Nantucket Scallop Sign, Wood, 1900
Antique Hand-Painted Nantucket Scallop Sign, Wood, 1900

Antique Hand-Painted Nantucket Scallop Sign, Wood, 1900

Located in Essex, MA

Excellent old hand-painted antique Nantucket Scallop sign with notched corners on old wood with white hand-painted letting. The back is covered with old newspaper. Old wood shows we...

Category

20th Century American Rustic Signs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Early 20th Century Oil on Canvas Landscape Painting. c.1910
Antique Early 20th Century Oil on Canvas Landscape Painting. c.1910

Antique Early 20th Century Oil on Canvas Landscape Painting. c.1910

Located in London, GB

A charming early 20th Century landscape oil painting. English. c.1910 Signed to bottom left - very skillfully painted landscape scene with fisherman and cottage. Some very minor ...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Edwardian Signs

Materials

Canvas

Early 20th Century Chicago Motor Club AAA Double-Sided Porcelain Sign
Early 20th Century Chicago Motor Club AAA Double-Sided Porcelain Sign

Early 20th Century Chicago Motor Club AAA Double-Sided Porcelain Sign

Located in Dekalb, IL

1920s-1930s; Chicago Motor Club/American Automobile Association (AAA) - Chicago, IL Vintage double-sided porcelain sign from a Chicago Motor Club and AAA bonded service station. Th...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Signs

Materials

Steel

English Pub Sign, "The Falcon"
English Pub Sign, "The Falcon"

English Pub Sign, "The Falcon"

Located in Austin, TX

An authentic English pub sign (one-sided) featuring a beautiful painting of a falcon perched on a tree stump, titled The Falcon. A very fine example of vintage advertising artwork, ...

Category

20th Century English Signs

Materials

Metal

English Pub Sign, "The Ship"
English Pub Sign, "The Ship"

English Pub Sign, "The Ship"

Located in Austin, TX

An authentic English pub sign (one-sided) featuring a painting of a British brigantine or two-mast sailing ship featuring flags with St. George's cross, titled: The Ship. A very fin...

Category

20th Century English 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 Early 20th Century Edwardian Brass 'Way Out' Illuminated Sign. C.1900
Antique Early 20th Century Edwardian Brass 'Way Out' Illuminated Sign. C.1900

Antique Early 20th Century Edwardian Brass 'Way Out' Illuminated Sign. C.1900

Located in London, GB

A large illuminated glass and brass directional sign made in England. c.1900. A fine turn‑of‑the‑century illuminated sign from the era when gaslight was commonly used to back‑light ...

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Signs

Materials

Brass

English Pub Sign, "The Manor House"
English Pub Sign, "The Manor House"

English Pub Sign, "The Manor House"

Located in Austin, TX

An authentic English pub sign (one-sided) featuring a painting of a handsome English manor house standing on a grassy estate, titled "The Manor House" A very fine example of vintag...

Category

20th Century English Signs

Materials

Metal

Art Deco / Moderne /Googie Style "TRAVEL sOMEWHERE" NEON SIGN..
Art Deco / Moderne /Googie Style "TRAVEL sOMEWHERE" NEON SIGN..

Art Deco / Moderne /Googie Style "TRAVEL sOMEWHERE" NEON SIGN..

Located in Buffalo, NY

"TRAVEL SOMEWHERE" Neon Sign..GOOGIE STYLE.. originally created and built as a prop for a movie in the 1980s,,and just recently used (again) in the upcoming film "The Bell Jar" star...

Category

1980s Art Deco Vintage Signs

Materials

Glass, Wood

Vintage Red Illuminated Letter T , 1970s
Vintage Red Illuminated Letter T , 1970s

Vintage Red Illuminated Letter T , 1970s

Located in Kojetice, CZ

This vintage industrial red illuminated letter T was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner from an old carpet shop in Torino. It features a black ir...

Category

1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs

Materials

Metal

Large Vintage Grey Iron Facade Letter T, 1970s
Large Vintage Grey Iron Facade Letter T, 1970s

Large Vintage Grey Iron Facade Letter T, 1970s

Located in Kojetice, CZ

This vintage industrial facade letter “T” was made during the 1970s in Italy and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 1,5 kg.

Category

1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs

Materials

Iron

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

20thc Quilt Trade Sign in Original Paint on Stand
20thc Quilt Trade Sign in Original Paint on Stand

20thc Quilt Trade Sign in Original Paint on Stand

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This double sided sheet metal with iron frame sandwich board reads : WE DO MACHINE QUILTING and it is on both sides. This is a all original painted double sided street or window sign...

Category

20th Century American Rustic Signs

Materials

Metal

1940's - 50's Mid Century Decommissioned American "Exit Only" Steel Street Sign
1940's - 50's Mid Century Decommissioned American "Exit Only" Steel Street Sign

1940's - 50's Mid Century Decommissioned American "Exit Only" Steel Street Sign

By U.S. Government

Located in Red Lion, PA

This Authentic Mid-Century American "EXIT ONLY" Decommissioned Street Sign is a premier example of 20th-century municipal engineering and "Machine Age" utility. Dating to the 1940s–1...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs

Materials

Enamel, Steel

Antique Reverse Painted Double-Sided French Cafe Restaurant Trade Sign. c.1920
Antique Reverse Painted Double-Sided French Cafe Restaurant Trade Sign. c.1920

Antique Reverse Painted Double-Sided French Cafe Restaurant Trade Sign. c.1920

Located in London, GB

A vintage French Café double sided trade sign. c.1930 Constructed from reverse painted glass, with crinkle foil lettering reading Café - Casse‑Croûte - Restaurant. Framed in its ori...

Category

1930s French Industrial Vintage Signs

Materials

Metal

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

Antique Chinese Wooden Sign Board with Calligraphy from the 19th Century
Antique Chinese Wooden Sign Board with Calligraphy from the 19th Century

Antique Chinese Wooden Sign Board with Calligraphy from the 19th Century

Located in Yonkers, NY

This antique Chinese horizontal sign board made during the 19th century displays Chinese characters carved in wood in a splendid calligraphic style. The frame is enhanced by red and ...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Signs

Materials

Wood

Mounted Asafo Flag of Ghana c.1820-1920
Mounted Asafo Flag of Ghana c.1820-1920

Mounted Asafo Flag of Ghana c.1820-1920

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT Contact us for more shipping quotes: S16 Home San Francisco. An original Asafo flag depicting the Fante people of Ghana, Africa and the Union Jack of the United Kingdom. Mou...

Category

19th Century Industrial Antique Signs

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Vintage Illuminated Letter T, 1970s
Vintage Illuminated Letter T, 1970s

Vintage Illuminated Letter T, 1970s

Located in Kojetice, CZ

This vintage Industrial illuminated letter T was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a black metal ...

Category

1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs

Materials

Iron

Mid 20th Century Vintage Porcelain Enameled Metal Sprinkler Fire Alarm Sign
Mid 20th Century Vintage Porcelain Enameled Metal Sprinkler Fire Alarm Sign

Mid 20th Century Vintage Porcelain Enameled Metal Sprinkler Fire Alarm Sign

Located in Stamford, CT

Great Vintage porcelain sign-enameled metal sign, Sprinkler Fire Alarm when bell rings call Police or Fire Dept. This sign came off an industrial building ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Signs

Materials

Metal

Set of Antique Industrial Art Deco Brass 'Internalite' Illuminated Signs. C.1920
Set of Antique Industrial Art Deco Brass 'Internalite' Illuminated Signs. C.1920

Set of Antique Industrial Art Deco Brass 'Internalite' Illuminated Signs. C.1920

Located in London, GB

Quality pair of illuminated glass and brass directional signs made in England. c.1920. Brass frame housing the internal illuminations above polished plate glass etched with 'LADIES'...

Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Signs

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Toleware English Hat Makers Trade Sign
Early 20th Century Toleware English Hat Makers Trade Sign

Early 20th Century Toleware English Hat Makers Trade Sign

Located in London, GB

Early 20th Century Toleware English Hat Makers Trade Sign Dimensions in inches: H 8” x W 11” x D 13” / 22” H Including stand Age: 1910 Origin: England Condition: Aged Overview Mount...

Category

1910s Victorian Vintage Signs

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Style Illuminated Double-Sided Telephone Sign
Art Deco Style Illuminated Double-Sided Telephone Sign

Art Deco Style Illuminated Double-Sided Telephone Sign

Located in Dekalb, IL

Illuminated telephone sign featuring a curved clear plexiglass panel, stylized handset silhouettes, and geometric lettering on a stepped gray aluminum housing. Silver-gray stripes, t...

Category

Early 20th Century Signs

Materials

Aluminum

Large Antique Wrought Iron Bracket with Two-Tier Wooden Sign, "Inn & Antiques"
Large Antique Wrought Iron Bracket with Two-Tier Wooden Sign, "Inn & Antiques"

Large Antique Wrought Iron Bracket with Two-Tier Wooden Sign, "Inn & Antiques"

Located in Doylestown, PA

Two-tier wooden sign on a large, hand-forged wrought iron scrolled wall bracket, early 20th century. From idyllic Bucks County, Pennsylvania, an impressive iron wall bracket with tw...

Category

Early 20th Century Signs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Vintage Double-Sided Bar Directional Advertising Sign
Vintage Double-Sided Bar Directional Advertising Sign

Vintage Double-Sided Bar Directional Advertising Sign

Located in Dekalb, IL

Double-sided hand-painted plywood advertising sign directing patrons to a downstairs bar. The stepped Art Deco-inspired profile features the phrases "DOWNSTAIRS BAR IS OPEN," "TO LAD...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Other Signs

Materials

Wood, 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

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

1920's -30's Hand Painted "DRUGS" wood sign
1920's -30's Hand Painted "DRUGS" wood sign

1920's -30's Hand Painted "DRUGS" wood sign

Located in Buffalo, NY

1920's -30's Hand Painted "DRUGS" wood sign ... Great old sign,, Tons of character,, Retains original finish / patina..

Category

1920s American Folk Art Vintage Signs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early 20th Century Double-Sided "Kings Head" Hand Painted Metal English Pub Sign
Early 20th Century Double-Sided "Kings Head" Hand Painted Metal English Pub Sign

Early 20th Century Double-Sided "Kings Head" Hand Painted Metal English Pub Sign

Located in Brooklyn, NY

English two-sided handmade and painted metal pub sign depicting a king of clubs with the text "Flowers" above and "Kings Head" below (ca. early 1900s, England). Identical imagery and...

Category

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Signs

Materials

Metal

Antique Directional Trade Sign for Coin-Op Machine
Antique Directional Trade Sign for Coin-Op Machine

Antique Directional Trade Sign for Coin-Op Machine

Located in Dekalb, IL

A vibrant hand-painted directional sign used to draw attention toward a nearby coin-operated machine or attraction. The carved wooden pointing hand-complete with stylized knuckle and arrow detailing-extends from a bold yellow panel stenciled LOOK in deep red shadowed lettering. These signs were commonly mounted beside penny scales, gum machines...

Category

Early 20th Century Signs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Victorian Clyde Shipbuilders Trade Sign with Annotated Steamship Hull Model
Victorian Clyde Shipbuilders Trade Sign with Annotated Steamship Hull Model

Victorian Clyde Shipbuilders Trade Sign with Annotated Steamship Hull Model

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Victorian Clyde Shipbuilders Trade Sign with Annotated Steamship Hull Model An exceptionally rare and historically significant Victorian maritime trade sign celebrating the shipbuil...

Category

Late 19th Century Scottish High Victorian Antique Signs

Materials

Wood

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

1960’s Small Red American Vintage Gas Station Marquee Numbers And Letters - Larg
1960’s Small Red American Vintage Gas Station Marquee Numbers And Letters - Larg

1960’s Small Red American Vintage Gas Station Marquee Numbers And Letters - Larg

Located in Hook, Hampshire

1960’s Small Red American Vintage Gas Station Marquee Numbers And Letters - Large Set. We sourced these from an old gas station in America, thought to be from the 50’s and 60’s. This...

Category

1950s Unknown Vintage Signs

Materials

Plastic

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

Antique Folk Art Sign Copper Folk Art
Antique Folk Art Sign Copper Folk Art

Antique Folk Art Sign Copper Folk Art

Located in Munich, DE

This unusual ornamental copper plate was used to write information on it, possibly the menue for a restaurant. We can see traces of writing. The beautifull carving shows birds, leav...

Category

1860s European Folk Art Antique Signs

Materials

Copper

Enamel Sign for Colman’s Starch
Enamel Sign for Colman’s Starch

Enamel Sign for Colman’s Starch

$1,298Sale Price|38% Off

Enamel Sign for Colman’s Starch

Located in Cheshire, GB

Enamel sign for Colman’s Starch, of rectangular form decorated in blue and white enamel. Dimensions Height 16 Inches Width 62.5 Inches Depth 0.5 Inches.

Category

Early 20th Century British Signs

Materials

Enamel

Vintage Old Howard (Boston) Painted Wooden Directional Sign
Vintage Old Howard (Boston) Painted Wooden Directional Sign

Vintage Old Howard (Boston) Painted Wooden Directional Sign

Located in Dekalb, IL

Hand-painted wooden advertising sign for "The Old Howard Burlesque at Scollay Sq." featuring stylized black and teal lettering with additional text reading "Dancing Girls," "Comics,"...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Vintage Americana Mid-Century Neon Barber Shop Sign
Vintage Americana Mid-Century Neon Barber Shop Sign

Vintage Americana Mid-Century Neon Barber Shop Sign

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Fantastic 13.5 foot long Mid-Century vintage neon barber shop sign. Total statement piece. Unusual three dimensional channel letters. Many layers of r...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Metal

Antique European Locksmith’s Trade Sign in the Form of a Key, 40"H
Antique European Locksmith’s Trade Sign in the Form of a Key, 40"H

Antique European Locksmith’s Trade Sign in the Form of a Key, 40"H

Located in New York, NY

Large Cast Iron Trade Sign in the Form of a Key, 40"H Europe, antique This impressive oversized trade sign is cast in solid iron and takes the form of a monumental key, traditional...

Category

19th Century French Antique Signs

Materials

Iron

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

Late 19th Century Folk Art "BOOT' Cobbler's Trade Show / SHOP  Sign / Sculpture
Late 19th Century Folk Art "BOOT' Cobbler's Trade Show / SHOP  Sign / Sculpture

Late 19th Century Folk Art "BOOT' Cobbler's Trade Show / SHOP Sign / Sculpture

Located in Buffalo, NY

Late 19th Century Folk Art "BOOT' Cobbler's Trade Show OR sHOP Sign / Sculpture . aLL Hand made,, Oil cloth, copper top and Wood...Most likely hung outside of an old cobbler , shoe ...

Category

1890s American Folk Art Antique Signs

Materials

Copper

C1940 Advertising Sign "Nassau" Stainless Frame
C1940 Advertising Sign "Nassau" Stainless Frame

C1940 Advertising Sign "Nassau" Stainless Frame

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fantastic advertising sign from possibly a travel agency or transit system c1940. Excellent vintage condition with just the right amount of wear. Stainless border and mounting hardwa...

Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Signs

Materials

Stainless Steel

British Crown & Anchor Iron Hanging Tavern or Pub Sign
British Crown & Anchor Iron Hanging Tavern or Pub Sign

British Crown & Anchor Iron Hanging Tavern or Pub Sign

Located in Rio Vista, CA

A rare hanging British "Crown and Anchor" pub or tavern sign constructed out of iron and wood. The sign is crafted with a forged iron frame having two hanging loops. The sign feature...

Category

20th Century English Folk Art Signs

Materials

Iron

Large Scale Vintage New York City Bus or Subway Roll, Brooklyn-Queens , 8th ave
Large Scale Vintage New York City Bus or Subway Roll, Brooklyn-Queens , 8th ave

Large Scale Vintage New York City Bus or Subway Roll, Brooklyn-Queens , 8th ave

Located in Buffalo, NY

Large Scale Vintage New York City Bus or Subway Roll, Brooklyn-Queens , 8th ave... Over 11 feet !! Great old sign, double sided.

Category

1940s American Industrial Vintage Signs

Materials

Korhogo Cloth, Canvas

Decommissioned Heavy Steel 24" Octagon STOP Sign Red Porcelain Enamel 1954-1964
Decommissioned Heavy Steel 24" Octagon STOP Sign Red Porcelain Enamel 1954-1964

Decommissioned Heavy Steel 24" Octagon STOP Sign Red Porcelain Enamel 1954-1964

By U.S. Government

Located in Red Lion, PA

This authentic Vintage American 1954–1964 Decommissioned Red STOP Sign is a rare mid-century relic of U.S. automotive history. Crafted from heavy-gauge enamel on steel, this 24" x 24...

Category

20th Century American Industrial Signs

Materials

Metal, Steel

Edwardian Wall Hung Shop Sign, Kirbys’ Wardrobes Purchased
Edwardian Wall Hung Shop Sign, Kirbys’ Wardrobes Purchased

Edwardian Wall Hung Shop Sign, Kirbys’ Wardrobes Purchased

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Edwardian wall hung shop sign, Kirbys’ wardrobes purchased A great piece of social history, this is a wooden sign painted on both sides and hanging on a blacksmith made Iron brack...

Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

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.