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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

Category

Vintage 1940s American Adirondack Signs

Materials

Wood

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

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Early 20th century double sided English chemist sign
Early 20th century double sided English chemist sign

Early 20th century double sided English chemist sign

Located in London, GB

silver illuminated text, this early 20th century example of an English chemist trade sign would have hung

Category

Vintage 1930s British Late Victorian Signs

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century Double Sided French Pharmacy Metal Sign
Early 20th Century Double Sided French Pharmacy Metal Sign

Early 20th Century Double Sided French Pharmacy Metal Sign

Located in London, GB

Early 20th Century Double Sided French Pharmacy Metal Sign A rare double sided pharmacy trade

Category

Vintage 1920s Early Victorian Signs

Materials

Metal

19th Century Large Pyramidal "Kern and McNaughton" Cigar Signage
19th Century Large Pyramidal "Kern and McNaughton" Cigar Signage

19th Century Large Pyramidal "Kern and McNaughton" Cigar Signage

Located in Dekalb, IL

Large freestanding wooden trade sign advertising "CIGARS," constructed in a tapered, pyramidal form

Category

Antique 19th Century American Other Signs

Materials

Wood

19th Century Barber's Pole Hand Carved Hand Painted
19th Century Barber's Pole Hand Carved Hand Painted

19th Century Barber's Pole Hand Carved Hand Painted

Located in San Francisco, CA

by barbers to signify the place or shop where they perform their craft. The trade sign is, by a

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

19thc Monumental Cast Iron Garden Rooster
19thc Monumental Cast Iron Garden Rooster

19thc Monumental Cast Iron Garden Rooster

Located in Los Angeles, CA

store front as a trade sign or a garden element. The patina is amazing and in very good condition.

Category

Antique 19th Century American Adirondack Animal Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Six Foot Carved Wood Tuna Fish
Six Foot Carved Wood Tuna Fish

Six Foot Carved Wood Tuna Fish

Located in Norwell, MA

Finely carved tuna fish trade sign with pickled finish. Carved from solid timber with fins, gills

Category

2010s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Wood

Six Foot Carved Wood Codfish
Six Foot Carved Wood Codfish

Six Foot Carved Wood Codfish

Located in Norwell, MA

Carved wood codfish trade sign reminiscent of the signs that used to hang in the English fish

Category

2010s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Wood

Carved Tuna Fish with Painted Finish
Carved Tuna Fish with Painted Finish

Carved Tuna Fish with Painted Finish

Located in Norwell, MA

hanging bolts. This carved fish is reminiscent of the trade signs that would hang in the fishmongers

Category

2010s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Wood

19th Century American Patriotic Barber Pole Open Sign Folk Art
19th Century American Patriotic Barber Pole Open Sign Folk Art

19th Century American Patriotic Barber Pole Open Sign Folk Art

Located in Forney, TX

sculpted wooden patriotic barber pole advertising trade sign / open sign. Mid-19th century, Southern

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Paint

19th Century Boucherie Chevaline French Tradesign
19th Century Boucherie Chevaline French Tradesign

19th Century Boucherie Chevaline French Tradesign

Located in London, GB

leaf hand beaten butchers advertising trade sign. These items have become rare over the years

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Victorian Animal Sculptures

Materials

Zinc

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Shell Work Diorama Scene
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Shell Work Diorama Scene

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Shell Work Diorama Scene

Located in London, GB

called “The bell inn” with trade sign outside, windmill and lots more. The glass is from the 19th century

Category

Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Pine

Giant Double Sided Wood Peach Trade Sign from California Farm
Giant Double Sided Wood Peach Trade Sign from California Farm

Giant Double Sided Wood Peach Trade Sign from California Farm

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Great wooden trade sign from a California farm. Giant peach with graphics on both sides. Sign reads

Category

Vintage 1980s American Signs

Materials

Wood

Trade Sign
Trade Sign

Trade Sign

Unavailable|$1,200

Trade Sign

Located in Stamford, CT

English Trade sign . Large gilt lettering on black glass. Blue painted wood frame. All original

Category

Antique 19th Century English Signs

Materials

Glass, Wood

Fish Trade Sign
Fish Trade Sign

Fish Trade Sign

Unavailable|$19,500

Fish Trade Sign

Located in Hudson, NY

Paint decorated wood trade sign, each side treated with a different image, pierced with a channel

Category

20th Century American Signs

Materials

Metal

Tea Pot Trade Sign
Tea Pot Trade Sign

Tea Pot Trade Sign

Unavailable|$6,400

Tea Pot Trade Sign

Located in High Point, NC

Large trade sign all metal with paint and gilt of a tea pot which advertised a tea shop or tinsmith.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Folk Art Signs

Materials

Metal

Carved Acorn Trade Signs
Carved Acorn Trade Signs

Carved Acorn Trade Signs

Unavailable|$850 / set

Carved Acorn Trade Signs

Located in North Egremont, MA

A pair of trade signs carved in the form of acorns. Each is from a single piece of wood and has

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Signs

Pocket Watch Trade Sign
Pocket Watch Trade Sign

Pocket Watch Trade Sign

Unavailable|$2,400

Pocket Watch Trade Sign

Located in Woodbury, CT

A Large Painted Pine Watch Trade Sign Double Sided in 1st painted surface with very fine graphics

Category

Early 20th Century American Signs

Materials

Pine

Early American Surveyor's Trade Sign
Early American Surveyor's Trade Sign

Early American Surveyor's Trade Sign

Located in Hadley, MA

COLORFUL GRAPHIC TRADE SIGN Rare, early, double sided trade sign, for "A.H. Konkle

Category

Antique 19th Century American Signs

Materials

Pine

carved wood shoe trade sign
carved wood shoe trade sign

carved wood shoe trade sign

Unavailable|$1,850

carved wood shoe trade sign

Located in New York, NY

a large carved wooden shoe trade sign

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Oversized handmade wrench trade sign
Oversized handmade wrench trade sign

Oversized handmade wrench trade sign

Located in Hadley, MA

Great looking trade sign from the Millers Falls tool company.

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

American Folk Art Trade Sign
American Folk Art Trade Sign

American Folk Art Trade Sign

Located in Solebury, PA

Folk art trade sign painted on tin for Feigelman's Moving , Storage and Trucking Co. Strikingly

Category

20th Century American Signs

Japanese 'Chokuo Sake' Trade Sign

Japanese 'Chokuo Sake' Trade Sign

Located in Fresno, CA

Japanese trade sign for Chokuo sake, with black painted wood planks joined by cleats to the reverse

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Signs

Rare Two-sided Photography Trade Sign
Rare Two-sided Photography Trade Sign

Rare Two-sided Photography Trade Sign

Located in New Haven, CT

Rare two-sided photography trade sign. original paint on wood. American, circa 1930.

Category

20th Century American Signs

Hand Cut Iron Golf Trade Sign
Hand Cut Iron Golf Trade Sign

Hand Cut Iron Golf Trade Sign

Located in Charleston, SC

Hand painted & hand cut iron golf trade sign with a steel profile frame.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Signs

Materials

Steel

"Sunbeam Bread Girl" Large Trade Sign
"Sunbeam Bread Girl" Large Trade Sign

"Sunbeam Bread Girl" Large Trade Sign

Located in New York City, NY

Oversized "Sunbeam Bread Girl" large trade sign inspired by the 1950s Sunbeam bread girl Patty

Category

Late 20th Century American Signs

19th Century Wood Work Trade Sign
19th Century Wood Work Trade Sign

19th Century Wood Work Trade Sign

Located in 3 Oaks, MI

Hand-painted large-scale "Wood Work" trade sign. Fantastic surface and distress. Weathered to

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Folk Art Signs

19th Century Tole Locksmith's Trade Sign
19th Century Tole Locksmith's Trade Sign

19th Century Tole Locksmith's Trade Sign

Located in Downham Market, GB

An early toleware Locksmith's trade sign. A wonderful 19th century gilded metal trade sign

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Signs

Materials

Metal

19th Century Wood Boot Trade Sign
19th Century Wood Boot Trade Sign

19th Century Wood Boot Trade Sign

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Unusual and large-scale double sided wood boot trade sign with nice detailing, black painted

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Straight Razor Trade Sign
Folk Art Straight Razor Trade Sign

Folk Art Straight Razor Trade Sign

Located in Aurora, OR

This beautifully handmade wooden barber's trade sign is from New York State and has its creation

Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Apothecary Trade Sign

Apothecary Trade Sign

Unavailable|$8,500

Apothecary Trade Sign

Located in San Francisco, CA

Early French apothecary sign in the form of Grecian urn with great original surface.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Signs

Trade Sign -Stencil
Trade Sign -Stencil

Trade Sign -Stencil

Unavailable|$2,100

Trade Sign -Stencil

Located in Solebury, PA

A visually strong graphic shape. This stencil is big and bold. Shoes, always a popular subject in some circles.

Category

20th Century American Signs

Large Antique French Double Sided Pocket Watch Trade Sign
Large Antique French Double Sided Pocket Watch Trade Sign

Large Antique French Double Sided Pocket Watch Trade Sign

Located in Chicago, IL

Amazing large antique double sided pocket watch trade sign.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Signs

Materials

Metal

Antique Early Hatter Trade Sign w/ original paint
Antique Early Hatter Trade Sign w/ original paint

Antique Early Hatter Trade Sign w/ original paint

Located in Acworth, GA

Antique Hatter trade sign. A wonderful trade sign for a hat maker with several layers of

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Signs

Materials

Tin

American Sheet Metal Folk Art Key Trade Sign
American Sheet Metal Folk Art Key Trade Sign

American Sheet Metal Folk Art Key Trade Sign

Located in Brooklyn, NY

American sheet metal Folk Art key trade sign, with hinges on the top and bottom sides to use as

Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Signs

Materials

Sheet Metal

19th Century American Double Sided Watch Maker Trade Sign
19th Century American Double Sided Watch Maker Trade Sign

19th Century American Double Sided Watch Maker Trade Sign

Located in Chicago, IL

19th Century American Double Sided Watch Maker Trade Sign With Cast Iron Frame And Tin Clock Face.

Category

Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Iron, Tin

1890's Gilt Painted Timber Printer's Trade Sign
1890's Gilt Painted Timber Printer's Trade Sign

1890's Gilt Painted Timber Printer's Trade Sign

Located in Downham Market, GB

An early printer's trade sign. A wonderful 19th century painted timber trade sign for 'Wheeler

Category

Antique 19th Century British Rustic Signs

Materials

Pine

1900's Hand painted Tin Trade Sign For Lawyer/Abstracts
1900's Hand painted Tin Trade Sign For Lawyer/Abstracts

1900's Hand painted Tin Trade Sign For Lawyer/Abstracts

Located in Chicago, IL

1900's hand painted tin trade sign for lawyer/abstracts.

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Tin

Turn of the Century Cast Iron Hardware Trade Sign
Turn of the Century Cast Iron Hardware Trade Sign

Turn of the Century Cast Iron Hardware Trade Sign

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Turn of the century unusual cast iron hardware trade sign in the form of a padlock, professional

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Iron

Barber Shop Trade Sign
Barber Shop Trade Sign

Barber Shop Trade Sign

Unavailable|$1,150

Barber Shop Trade Sign

Located in Hadley, MA

Graphic double sided late 19th – early 20th Century sign, pine, with excellent surface quality

Category

Antique 19th Century Signs

Materials

Pine

Large Old Trade Sign American Flag Shield Folk Art
Large Old Trade Sign American Flag Shield Folk Art

Large Old Trade Sign American Flag Shield Folk Art

Located in South Coast, CA

Large ( 31" x 23 1/2") and Wonderful old handmade trade sign: Carved wood shield having all

Category

20th Century American Signs

Materials

Wood, Plaster, Paint

Excellent Rare Early Key West Trade Sign, Double Sided
Excellent Rare Early Key West Trade Sign, Double Sided

Excellent Rare Early Key West Trade Sign, Double Sided

Located in Hadley, MA

FANTASTIC SMALL TRADE SIGN Carved from a single piece of pine, with "raised" framed

Category

Early 20th Century American Signs

Materials

Pine

East Bay Fish Packing Company Trade Sign
East Bay Fish Packing Company Trade Sign

East Bay Fish Packing Company Trade Sign

Located in Dallas, TX

This wonderful sign for the East Bay Fish Packing company was made to look like the trade signs and

Category

Late 20th Century American Signs

Materials

Gold Leaf

19th Century Solid Hand-Carved Three Root Dentist Trade Sign

19th Century Solid Hand-Carved Three Root Dentist Trade Sign

Located in Chicago, IL

Folk Art dentist trade sign possibly from new York city or Boston. The artist or wood carver has not

Category

Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Pine

Oversize 3D Vintage Folk Art Object Tool Trade Sign Clothespin
Oversize 3D Vintage Folk Art Object Tool Trade Sign Clothespin

Oversize 3D Vintage Folk Art Object Tool Trade Sign Clothespin

Located in Denver, CO

Sculptural 1940s era handmade 3D Folk Art oversize tool or clothespin trade sign. Constructed of

Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Articulated Sheet Metal Trade Sign

Articulated Sheet Metal Trade Sign

Located in Summerland, CA

Found in Maine. African Man with moveable legs and arms. Original stand.

Category

20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Sheet Metal

Very Large 18th Century French Key Maker's Trade Sign
Very Large 18th Century French Key Maker's Trade Sign

Very Large 18th Century French Key Maker's Trade Sign

Located in Woodbury, CT

Now here is a piece you don't find every day! This late 18th-early 19th century wrought iron trade

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Signs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique Zinc Red Hat Maker Trade Sign, France, Early 20th Century
Antique Zinc Red Hat Maker Trade Sign, France, Early 20th Century

Antique Zinc Red Hat Maker Trade Sign, France, Early 20th Century

Located in Retie, BE

XXL Antique hat maker's trade sign, made in France circa 1900 - 1920. This large sign was used as

Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Signs

Materials

Zinc

Shaw and Tenney Decoys and Lures Trade Sign
Shaw and Tenney Decoys and Lures Trade Sign

Shaw and Tenney Decoys and Lures Trade Sign

Located in Dallas, TX

look like the trade signs and antique signs of the early 1900s. The sign was made in the late 20th

Category

Late 20th Century American Signs

Materials

Wood

American Antique Horse Farm Trade Sign
American Antique Horse Farm Trade Sign

American Antique Horse Farm Trade Sign

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Large sign painted on steel for "Saham Morgans" horse farm circa 1900. Hand wrought and riveted

Category

Antique 19th Century American Primitive Signs

Rare 19th Century Zinc Horse Head Trade Sign Found in Paris, France
Rare 19th Century Zinc Horse Head Trade Sign Found in Paris, France

Rare 19th Century Zinc Horse Head Trade Sign Found in Paris, France

Located in Houston, TX

This 19th century trade sign in the shape of a horse head is handcrafted in zinc and painted white

Category

Antique 1880s French Signs

Materials

Zinc

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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.
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