Skip to main content

Trade Signs

to
61
696
300
995
27
1
289
43
41
13
12
5
5
4
1
1
1
8
342
641
28
292
241
21
19
10
36
63
46
55
18
9
2
441
387
136
73
66
571
537
339
153
149
1,022
1,022
1,022
2
2
2
2
2
Sort By
Boston Fish Market Trade Sign
Boston Fish Market Trade Sign

Boston Fish Market Trade Sign

Located in Norwell, MA

Carved flounder trade sign with lettering for "Chatham Fish Market". Details include gills, fins

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Boston Fish Market Trade Sign
Boston Fish Market Trade Sign

Boston Fish Market Trade Sign

Located in Norwell, MA

Carved flounder trade sign with lettering for "Boston Fish Market". Details include gills, fins

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

1900s Butcher's Pig Trade Sign
1900s Butcher's Pig Trade Sign

1900s Butcher's Pig Trade Sign

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Vintage carved and painted pine butcher's trade sign. Molded frame, insized text reading "Porkies

Category

Early 20th Century French Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Vintage School Crossing Safety Guard Folk Art Trade Sign
Vintage School Crossing Safety Guard Folk Art Trade Sign

Vintage School Crossing Safety Guard Folk Art Trade Sign

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Original hand painted school safety crossing guard sign. Sheet metal and wood. Great original

Category

Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Sheet Metal

Wiedemann's Fine Beer Trade Sign
Wiedemann's Fine Beer Trade Sign

Wiedemann's Fine Beer Trade Sign

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Wiedemann's Fine beer - The Leader Trade sign with three Canada geese on oval walnut plaque

Category

Vintage 1940s American Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Six Foot "Osterville Seafood" Trade Sign
Six Foot "Osterville Seafood" Trade Sign

Six Foot "Osterville Seafood" Trade Sign

Located in Norwell, MA

Carved wood tuna fish trade sign with "Osterville Seafood" in hand painted lettering of gold

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Anthony's Pier 4 Carved Trade Sign
Anthony's Pier 4 Carved Trade Sign

Anthony's Pier 4 Carved Trade Sign

Located in Norwell, MA

Six foot carved Atlantc tuna trade sign with handpainted distressed finish. Lettering reads

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Trident Sushi Bar Carved Trade Sign
Trident Sushi Bar Carved Trade Sign

Trident Sushi Bar Carved Trade Sign

Located in Norwell, MA

Six foot carved Atlantc tuna trade sign with handpainted distressed finish. Lettering reads

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Carved Flounder Trade Sign "Fresh Fish"
Carved Flounder Trade Sign "Fresh Fish"

Carved Flounder Trade Sign "Fresh Fish"

Located in Norwell, MA

Hand carved flounder trade sign with painted lettering for "Fresh Fish". With red lettering

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Carved Flounder Trade Sign "Fish & Chips"
Carved Flounder Trade Sign "Fish & Chips"

Carved Flounder Trade Sign "Fish & Chips"

Located in Norwell, MA

Hand carved and painted "Get Hooked Fish & Chips" trade sign with a subtle white pickled finish and

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Edgartown Seafood Carved Flounder Trade Sign
Edgartown Seafood Carved Flounder Trade Sign

Edgartown Seafood Carved Flounder Trade Sign

Located in Norwell, MA

Charming trade sign of a carved flounder with painted blue lettering for "Edgartown Seafood" with a

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Six Foot "Fresh Fish" Trade Sign
Six Foot "Fresh Fish" Trade Sign

Six Foot "Fresh Fish" Trade Sign

Located in Norwell, MA

Six foot carved fish trade sign. The Atlantic mackerel is hand-carved with gills, fins, tail, eyes

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Harvey's Boat Yard Carved Trade Sign
Harvey's Boat Yard Carved Trade Sign

Harvey's Boat Yard Carved Trade Sign

Located in Norwell, MA

Six foot carved mackerel trade sign with hand painted distressed finish with deeply carved scales

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

"Health Chiropractic, " Rare Art Deco Metal Trade Sign for Chiropractor
"Health Chiropractic, " Rare Art Deco Metal Trade Sign for Chiropractor

"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

Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Signs

Materials

Aluminum

19th Century Large Apothecary Chemist Carboy Pharmacy Shop Trade Sign
19th Century Large Apothecary Chemist Carboy Pharmacy Shop Trade Sign

19th Century Large Apothecary Chemist Carboy Pharmacy Shop Trade Sign

Located in Lowestoft, GB

A 19th century hand blown glass chemist window display carboy. Used as a symbol of the pharmacy from the 17th century to the early 20th century. A rare example with a hollow cut ...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Signs

Materials

Blown Glass

19thc Stag Trade Sign In Original  Mustard Paint
19thc Stag Trade Sign In Original  Mustard Paint

19thc Stag Trade Sign In Original Mustard Paint

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This amazing original mustard painted sheet iron stag /deer trade sign was found in Lancaster

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Adirondack Weathervanes

Materials

Iron

Marvelous Antique Carved Wood Locksmith Trade Sign
Marvelous Antique Carved Wood Locksmith Trade Sign

Marvelous Antique Carved Wood Locksmith Trade Sign

Located in Hopewell, NJ

A wonderful early 20th century carved mahogany locksmith trade sign in the shape of a large key

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Carved and Painted Tuna Fish Trade Sign
Carved and Painted Tuna Fish Trade Sign

Carved and Painted Tuna Fish Trade Sign

Located in Norwell, MA

Expertly carved trade sign reminiscent of those that used to hand in the large waterfront fish

Category

2010s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Wood

Six Foot Menemsha Fish Market Trade Sign
Six Foot Menemsha Fish Market Trade Sign

Six Foot Menemsha Fish Market Trade Sign

Located in Norwell, MA

Six foot carved fish trade sign. The Atlantic mackerel is hand-carved with gills, fins, tail, eyes

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

19th Century Cast Iron Shoemaker’s Trade Sign
19th Century Cast Iron Shoemaker’s Trade Sign

19th Century Cast Iron Shoemaker’s Trade Sign

Located in London, GB

19th century cast iron shoemaker’s trade sign A highly decorative example of a late 19th century

Category

Antique 1880s French Early Victorian Decorative Art

Materials

Wrought Iron

Samuel Robb Tobacco Trade Sign Princess
Samuel Robb Tobacco Trade Sign Princess

Samuel Robb Tobacco Trade Sign Princess

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Samuel Robb tobacco trade sign Indian princess (1851-1928). Carved and polychrome painted wood

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

"The Big Tuna" Six Foot Carved Trade Sign
"The Big Tuna" Six Foot Carved Trade Sign

"The Big Tuna" Six Foot Carved Trade Sign

Located in Norwell, MA

Six foot carved Atlantic tuna wood trade sign with lettering for "The Big Tuna" sushi bar. Letters

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Circa 1890 Hardware Store Wood Trade Sign Carved Smaltz Black and Gold Paint
Circa 1890 Hardware Store Wood Trade Sign Carved Smaltz Black and Gold Paint

Circa 1890 Hardware Store Wood Trade Sign Carved Smaltz Black and Gold Paint

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Exceptional late 19th century hand carved letters with black and Gold paint and black smaltz background. Excellent typography. Great wall art. Simple and bold.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Trade Sign Depicting a Huge Skimmer Ladle, France, 1900
Trade Sign Depicting a Huge Skimmer Ladle, France, 1900

Trade Sign Depicting a Huge Skimmer Ladle, France, 1900

Located in Milan, IT

Outdoor trade sign of a kitchen tools store, for advertising. The sign depicts a huge skimmer ladle

Category

Early 20th Century Antiquities

Materials

Iron

19th Century Carved Wooden Ship Chandler's Trade Sign
19th Century Carved Wooden Ship Chandler's Trade Sign

19th Century Carved Wooden Ship Chandler's Trade Sign

Located in Nantucket, MA

Antique Hand Carved and Decorated Wooden Ship Chandler's Trade Sign, late 19th Century, a wooden

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Nautical Objects

Materials

Wood

Very Rare Diselpunk Trade Sign from 1978, Adriano Goldschmied Renzo Rosso
Very Rare Diselpunk Trade Sign from 1978, Adriano Goldschmied Renzo Rosso

Very Rare Diselpunk Trade Sign from 1978, Adriano Goldschmied Renzo Rosso

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Very rare Diselpunk trade sign from 1978, Adriano Goldschmied Renzo Rosso This is the best of

Category

Late 20th Century Steampunk Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Clay

Cigar or Tobacco Shop Trade Sign, Carving of an Indian Chief
Cigar or Tobacco Shop Trade Sign, Carving of an Indian Chief

Cigar or Tobacco Shop Trade Sign, Carving of an Indian Chief

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Cigar or Tobacco Shop Trade Sign, Carving of an Indian Chief This charming and very rare piece

Category

Vintage 1920s Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Walnut

Samuel Robb Carved Tobacciana Trade Sign
Samuel Robb Carved Tobacciana Trade Sign

Samuel Robb Carved Tobacciana Trade Sign

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Tobacciana trade sign carved by Samuel Robb, New York, Circa 1885. Figure holds a knife and bundle

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Objects

Materials

Wood

Cast Iron Double Sided Watchmaker Jeweler Trade Sign Mirror
Cast Iron Double Sided Watchmaker Jeweler Trade Sign Mirror

Cast Iron Double Sided Watchmaker Jeweler Trade Sign Mirror

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Early 20th century gilded cast iron trade sign repurposed into a beveled mirror. Originally the

Category

20th Century American Folk Art Wall Mirrors

Materials

Iron

18th or 19th Century French Ship Chandler's Trade Sign
18th or 19th Century French Ship Chandler's Trade Sign

18th or 19th Century French Ship Chandler's Trade Sign

Located in Nantucket, MA

18th or 19th century French ship chandler's trade sign, circa 1800, an oval pine double sided sign

Category

Antique 1790s French Folk Art Nautical Objects

Materials

Pine

Carved Fish Trade Sign for "Beach House Inn, Brant Point"
Carved Fish Trade Sign for "Beach House Inn, Brant Point"

Carved Fish Trade Sign for "Beach House Inn, Brant Point"

Located in Norwell, MA

Hand carved flounder trade sign with painted lettering for "Beach House Inn, Brant Point". With

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Life Size Auto Mechanic Truck Stop Menu Board Trade Sign
Life Size Auto Mechanic Truck Stop Menu Board Trade Sign

Life Size Auto Mechanic Truck Stop Menu Board Trade Sign

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Life Size Auto Mechanic Truck Stop Menu Board Trade Sign A charming and rare piece, a life size

Category

Vintage 1970s Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Fiberglass

Carved Tuna Fish Trade Sign
Carved Tuna Fish Trade Sign

Carved Tuna Fish Trade Sign

Located in Norwell, MA

Six foot carved big eye tuna with painted decoration. 'Washington St. Fish and Oyster Co.' of Boston in blue paint. Distressed finish. Carved gills, fins, tail, eyes, and snout. Fitt...

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Exquisite Early 20th Century French Hand Lettering Trade Sign
Exquisite Early 20th Century French Hand Lettering Trade Sign

Exquisite Early 20th Century French Hand Lettering Trade Sign

Located in London, GB

We are proud to offer an exquisite early 20th century French hand lettering trade sign. This is

Category

Vintage 1920s French Victorian Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Six Foot Carved Fish Trade Sign
Six Foot Carved Fish Trade Sign

Six Foot Carved Fish Trade Sign

Located in Norwell, MA

Six foot Atlantic tuna with painted finish. 'Fresh Fish' is painted in red block letters on its right side. Distressed finish. Fitted with two pieces of iron chain. Awesome look. We...

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

19th Century Trade Sign Clothing Wood Double Sided Wooden Hudson Valley NY
19th Century Trade Sign Clothing Wood Double Sided Wooden Hudson Valley NY

19th Century Trade Sign Clothing Wood Double Sided Wooden Hudson Valley NY

Located in Newfoundland, PA

Take a look at this fantastic double sided early 19th or late 18th century wooden trade sign with

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Primitive Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

Vintage Thomas Walker & Sons Nautical Trade Sign with Ship Log Instrument
Vintage Thomas Walker & Sons Nautical Trade Sign with Ship Log Instrument

Vintage Thomas Walker & Sons Nautical Trade Sign with Ship Log Instrument

By Thomas Walker & Son Ltd. 1

Located in Morristown, NJ

A vintage trade sign from the esteemed Thomas Walker & Sons Ltd, renowned makers of ship’s logs and

Category

Vintage 1950s English Folk Art Nautical Objects

Materials

Metal

Harvey's Boat Rental Carved Flounder Trade Sign
Harvey's Boat Rental Carved Flounder Trade Sign

Harvey's Boat Rental Carved Flounder Trade Sign

Located in Norwell, MA

"Harvey's Boat Rentals, Quincy, Flounder Capital" is painted on this carved flounder. Details include carved scales, fins, tail, eyes, mouth, etc. Fitted with two iron hanging chains...

Category

2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster, Trade Advertising Sign
Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster, Trade Advertising Sign

Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster, Trade Advertising Sign

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Yellow Peril” A Fantastic Large piece, this superb 3D trade sign is made in wood, a fantastic larger

Category

Vintage 1930s Folk Art Signs

Materials

Plywood

20th Century, Original Painted Sign
20th Century, Original Painted Sign

20th Century, Original Painted Sign

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This original painted black and white trade sign reads Reserved for district. This cool one sided

Category

20th Century American Country Signs

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Pharmacy Sign 'DRUGS' Painted on a Single Board
Early 20th Century Pharmacy Sign 'DRUGS' Painted on a Single Board

Early 20th Century Pharmacy Sign 'DRUGS' Painted on a Single Board

Located in Nantucket, MA

American folk art trade sign from an apothecary or pharmacy with the word 'DRUGS' in black paint

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Pine, Paint

Vintage Clam Bake Sign, circa 1960s
Vintage Clam Bake Sign, circa 1960s

Vintage Clam Bake Sign, circa 1960s

Located in Nantucket, MA

Vintage Clam Bake Sign, circa 1960s, a hand painted wooden trade sign for Clam Bakes. A classic and

Category

Vintage 1960s American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Pine

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

trade sign for a lobster pound. I love the idea of advertising where lobsters can park! The sign

Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century Folk Art Toleware Moon Carved Wooden Sun Trade Sign
Early 20th Century Folk Art Toleware Moon Carved Wooden Sun Trade Sign

Early 20th Century Folk Art Toleware Moon Carved Wooden Sun Trade Sign

Located in Lowestoft, GB

A fun pair of sculptural and highly decorative objects, a toleware crescent moon and carved wooden sun, very much in the folk art style. Booth extremely characterful, with expressiv...

Category

20th Century English Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Metal

Giant Wood Early 20th Century Hand Painted Americana Barber Shop Sign
Giant Wood Early 20th Century Hand Painted Americana Barber Shop Sign

Giant Wood Early 20th Century Hand Painted Americana Barber Shop Sign

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Large and chunky Americana! Fantastic and original Barber Shop trade sign in the shape of a barber

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Lady Blessingtons Sailors Donation Momento Plaque
Lady Blessingtons Sailors Donation Momento Plaque

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

Category

Late 20th Century American Adirondack Signs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Enameled Steel Sign For "Tourist Fruit Room"
Enameled Steel Sign For "Tourist Fruit Room"

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

Category

Mid-20th Century Signs

Materials

Steel

Folk Art Giant Metal Scissors Industrial Store Display Sign, circa 1950
Folk Art Giant Metal Scissors Industrial Store Display Sign, circa 1950

Folk Art Giant Metal Scissors Industrial Store Display Sign, circa 1950

By Travail Francais

Located in Atlanta, GA

for a barber or hair salon. It is possible that the sign was initially used as a trade sign for a

Category

Vintage 1950s French Folk Art Signs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

19th Century Regency Hand Blown Chemist Pharmacy Apothecary Display Carboy Sign
19th Century Regency Hand Blown Chemist Pharmacy Apothecary Display Carboy Sign

19th Century Regency Hand Blown Chemist Pharmacy Apothecary Display Carboy Sign

Located in Lowestoft, GB

originally used as early trade signs for pharmacy's prior to when the majority of the population couldn't

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Signs

Materials

Blown Glass, Cut Glass

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Trade Signs", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Trade Signs For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of trade signs available for sale. The range of distinct trade signs — often made from wood, metal and iron — can elevate any home. Trade signs have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. folk art, Victorian and industrial trade signs are consistently popular styles. Many trade signs are appealing in their simplicity, but Bernard Gloekler Co., Coca Cola Bottling Co. and Keil Company produced popular trade signs that are worth a look.

How Much are Trade Signs?

Prices for trade signs start at $1 and top out at $80,000 with the average selling for $1,976.

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.

Questions About Trade Signs
Prices for most trade signs on 1stdibs are negotiable. You’ll see a "Make an Offer" button on the item details page, indicating that the seller is willing to consider a lower price. It’s not uncommon for customers to get 15–25% off the list price after negotiating. See our tips for negotiating like a pro.
Only experienced, professional sellers who have applied and been thoroughly vetted by our team of experts can sell trade signs and other quality items on our site. Learn more about becoming a 1stdibs seller.
The 1stdibs Buyer Protection Guarantee provides coverage for qualified purchases in the unlikely event that the item arrives not as described or is damaged. We’ll work with you and the seller to find a resolution, ensuring your satisfaction. View details
We have partnerships with the world's best shipping providers to facilitate seamless and fully-insured delivery from the seller's location directly to you, wherever you are in the world. Our logistics team is comprised of dedicated members who arrange all the details with our partners, servicing and supporting all shipments. Learn more about shipping on 1stdibs.
For your convenience, we offer multiple payment methods, including all major credit cards and PayPal. For many purchases we also offer financing options or wire transfer. Learn more about payment options on 1stdibs.