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Signs For Sale
Unique 19th Century French Shop Sign with a Grouse
Located in Buisson, FR
Brilliant and unique shop-sign.
A painted grouse made out of sheet iron or zinc that is placed within a hand forged iron frame that is made to hang.
France circa 1850-1900
Weathered...
Category
19th Century French Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Metal
$1,516 Sale Price
48% Off
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
Coke Button Sign
Located in Alpha, NJ
This is a vintage enameled Coca Cola Sign. This is in good overall condition with minor wear along edges and faint surface soiling. Otherwise, this sign presents well.
Category
Early 20th Century American Signs
Materials
Steel
$6,500
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
Hand Engraved Carved Industrial RESERVED Slate Sign Plaque, C.1920
Located in London, GB
An elegant hand engraved slate reserved sign. c.1920
A thick chunk of slate, hand engraved for use as a reserved sign.
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Signs
Materials
Slate
Folk Art Corn on the Cob Trade Sign, circa 1950
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Folk Art Corn on the Cob Trade Sign, circa 1950, a hand cut and painted masonite sign in the form of an ear of corn advertising "Hot Buttered Corn on the Cob 65¢." Classic an...
Category
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Masonite
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
Lady Blessingtons Sailors Donation Momento Plaque
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc Repro trade sign from New England with a weather protector varnish for bad weather protection.Wired for hanging inside or outside.
Category
Late 20th Century American Adirondack Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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, entitled: The Ship.
A very f...
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
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
Vintage Pepsi-Cola Enameled Metal Advertising Sign, Europe, 1970s
Located in Milano, IT
Iconic Pepsi-Cola advertising sign made of enameled metal, dating from the 1970s.
The design incorporates the classic logo with red cursive lettering, set against a wavy background ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal, Enamel
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
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
Vintage Illuminated Letter N, 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage Industrial illuminated letter N was made in Netherlands during the 1980s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a grey m...
Category
1980s Dutch Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
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
'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
Flying A Service Enamel Sign - Double Sided
Located in Alpha, NJ
This is an original circa 1930s Flying A Service steel enameled sign, an exceptional example of vintage automobilia and classic Americana. Retaining its beautiful, period-correct pat...
Category
Early 20th Century American Signs
Materials
Steel
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
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 Art Deco Brass Illuminated Advertising Cinema Ladies Flambosign Sign
Located in Sale, GB
- A fabulous Art Deco illuminated Ladies sign from renowned manufacturers 'Flambosign', England circa 1930.
- The worn brass casing marked 'Flambosign' houses an etched lucite perspex...
Category
Early 20th Century British Signs
Materials
Brass
Chinese Signboard with Red Coloured Calligraphy from Hardwood, C. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
With a wood coloured base this signboard (crafted entirely from wood) highlights two large red coloured Chinese Characters. The signboard dates to the early 20th Century and has aged...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Vintage Hand Painted French Patisserie Sign c.1930-1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Vintage French wooden sign for "Boulangerie Pattisserie, Pain cuit au feu de bois." (Wood fire baked bread). Framed in steel.
CR...
Category
Early 20th Century French Industrial Signs
Materials
Metal
Folk Art Sign
Located in London, GB
An Edwardian Folk Art sign with overscale finger, insribed ‘Left Luggage’.
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Hardwood
$1,239
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
$5,293 Sale Price
50% Off
Texico Enameled Sign
Located in Alpha, NJ
Work is in good condition with few points of enamel loss and wear along edges. Otherwise, work presents well.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Signs
Materials
Steel
$10,000
1977 English Pub Sign for the "Red Lion" by David Fisher
By David Fisher
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1977 dated & signed English pub sign for the "Red Lion". Double sided on wood in original frame. Signed by the artist "David Fisher A.B.I.D." and date "Jan 1977". Featuring the ever ...
Category
1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Porcelain Corona Beer Sign
Located in San Diego, CA
Super cool and hard to find vintage porcelain Corona beer sign, circa 1970s. The sign is actually a former tabletop at a roadside cantina in Mexico. The di...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Signs
Materials
Metal
$500 Sale Price / item
41% Off
Steel Cowboy Boot Advertising Sign
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Monumental and heavy painted steel advertising sign in the shape of a cowboy boot. Boot was most likely hung outside a boot shop. Great original patina. C...
Category
1940s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Steel
Early Danish Double Sided Neon Bakery Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
When we first found this neon sign our restorer was excited to work on it. He believes that the sign was a handmade and one-off being produced by a skilled metal fabricator. It was most likely used outside a small shop in Denmark. This is a traditional sign used for a Danish Bakery...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Industrial Signs
Materials
Steel
English Pub Sign, "Worth Brewery - The Cricketer's Arms"
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub sign (one-sided) featuring a painting of a cricket player with bat and ball, entitled: Worth Brewery - The Cricketer's Arms.
A very fine example of vintage ...
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
English Pub Sign, "Free House, The Cask and Taverners"
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub sign (two-sided) featuring a painting of two revelers or publicans in Carolingian costume enjoying the libations and victuals of a fine inn, entitled: Free House - The Cask & Taverners.
A free house in Great Britain is a public house...
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
Large Vintage Fish Store Trade Sign Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking large hanging fish sculpture, once used as a fish store trade sign. Material is painted hard composite, weighs about 25 lbs. Beautiful glass eyes. Heavy hanging chain inc...
Category
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Composition
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
Antique Industrial Art Deco Brass Internalite Enquiries Illuminated Sign, c1920
Located in London, GB
A stunning illuminated 'Internalite' directional sign made in England by K.F.M Engineering. c.1920.
Wall mounted brass frame housing the internal illuminations above single sided ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Signs
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
$1,480 Sale Price
20% Off
Enameled Steel Sign For "Tourist Fruit Room"
Located in Nantucket, MA
Great Vintage Enameled Steel Trade Sign For "Tourist Fruit Room." Of course! This is a period enameled steel plaque from the RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, 1946 - 1969, marking the refrigerate...
Category
Mid-20th Century Signs
Materials
Steel
19th Century Barber's Pole Hand Carved Hand Painted
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century barber's pole hand carved hand painted
Antique barber's pole
5.5" diameter x 42" high
The support measures 9" wide x 34" high
Good antique condition
The...
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Metal Optician Shop Trade Sign
Located in Linkebeek, BE
vintage Metal Optician Shop Trade Sign
Shop Industrial decor - Optician sign Antique
Large yellow metal DOUBLE-SIDED eyeglasses sign with a metal wall br...
Category
Mid-20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Metal
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
"Health Chiropractic, " Rare Art Deco Metal Trade Sign for Chiropractor
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This classic example of trade signage featuring a nude male angel figure with outspread wings was cast in aluminium and painted a shade of off-white. It has...
Category
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Signs
Materials
Aluminum
$1,350 Sale Price
25% Off
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
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
$10,320 Sale Price
20% Off
American Folk Art Wood and Iron Farm Bureau Weathervane Advertising Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great looking cartoon Midwestern Americana weathervane. Farm Bureau Insurance started in 1921. This great piece most likely was a premium or advertising piece. Hand painted wood with...
Category
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Plat Du Jour Rabbit Chalk Board
Located in Stamford, CT
A charming Plat du Jour Rabbit chalk board. The rabbit sits with a cluster of colorful fruits and vegetable atop a tablecloth covered table all above the plat du jour chalk board. Th...
Category
Late 20th Century French Signs
Materials
Wood
$540 Sale Price
55% Off
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. Ready to display.
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
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
Vintage SAVE A LIFE Swimming Pool Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage metal sign from a public pool. White sign with blue lettering. SAVE A LIFE. PLEASE KEEP POOL GATE CLOSED AT ALL TIMES. Good condition with ...
Category
1990s American Signs
Materials
Steel
Vintage Iron Dog Black Painted Lawn Sign Dont Eat My Dog Why Would You Do That
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on this vintage garden yard dog sign. Certainly a piece that would make a statement in any yard or garden.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal, Iron
San Francisco Freeway City Limit Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage San Francisco sign that reads "SAN FRANCISCO CITY AND COUNTY POP 793,700 ELEV 61." Dated 1997 on back. Stamped property of California on the back. Some wear to metal on front constant with age. Fun wall art...
Category
1990s American Signs
Materials
Metal
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
Vintage Crime Watch Street Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique vintage street sign that reads "Citizens Crime Watch Neighborhood" Green lettering on a reflective silver background. Great vintage condition.
Category
1970s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
Large Late 19th or Early 20th Century Zinc Locksmith Trade Sign
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Impressive Late 19th or Early 20th Century Zinc Locksmith Trade Sign in the form of a Large full bodied key. Found in its original finish. Remarkable Condition. France Circa 1900
Category
Early 20th Century French Signs
Materials
Zinc
1940's Goodyear Tires Porcelain Neon Light Sign
Located in Alpha, NJ
Very rare and beautiful example of a 1940's Goodyear Tires Neon light porcelain advertisement sign. Few occasional chips to porcelain finish and ass...
Category
1940s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Steel
Large vintage exterior wall shop sign for a coffee in France in the 50s
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
Large outdoor ‘Bar Tabac’ sign from France in the 1950s. Extraordinary typography, typical of the 1950s. The metal letters are fixed to two steel bars, whic...
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron, Zinc
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
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" in upper case which is Czech for grocery store. Restored thick steel sheet with ve...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Signs
Materials
Steel
$2,600 / set
Bell System Telephone Double Sided Flange Porcelain Sign
Located in San Mateo, CA
Flange mount double sided Bell public telephone porcelain sign. The porcelain has good color. There are some losses around the edges and in the sign.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Signs
Materials
Steel
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.
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