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1930s Clown Trade Sign

1930s Clown Trade Sign

Unavailable|$8,500

1930s Clown Trade Sign

Located in New York, NY

This Clown trade sign was used for advertising purposes for the Fairy Land Amusement Park in

Category

Vintage 1930s American Carnival Art

Trade Sign of Tin for Dress Shoppe
Trade Sign of Tin for Dress Shoppe

Trade Sign of Tin for Dress Shoppe

Located in Madison, WI

Large, early trade tin sign: "Dress Shoppe." Muted, earth-tone colors with stellar, graphic

Category

Mid-20th Century American Primitive Signs

Materials

Steel

Carved Wood Boot Trade Sign
Carved Wood Boot Trade Sign

Carved Wood Boot Trade Sign

Unavailable|$2,350

Carved Wood Boot Trade Sign

Located in Kent, Ct

Carved wood trade sign of a boot mounted on a steel base

Category

Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Blacksmith Trade Sign For John Chick - Caleb William Heath
Blacksmith Trade Sign For John Chick - Caleb William Heath

Blacksmith Trade Sign For John Chick - Caleb William Heath

By Caleb William Heath

Located in Columbus, OH

Pictorial blacksmith trade sign for John Chick Artist Caleb Heath (1835-1875)

Category

Antique 19th Century American Signs

Tin Trade Sign:  LE JOURNAL - EN VENTE ICI
Tin Trade Sign:  LE JOURNAL - EN VENTE ICI

Tin Trade Sign: LE JOURNAL - EN VENTE ICI

Located in New York, NY

Charming advertisment for a French newspaper, with raised letters and figure of a very short salesman displaying a very large copy of Le Journal, featuring all zee latest news.

Category

20th Century French Signs

Huge Antique Garage Trade Sign, Chas Baldwin Automobile Engineer
Huge Antique Garage Trade Sign, Chas Baldwin Automobile Engineer

Huge Antique Garage Trade Sign, Chas Baldwin Automobile Engineer

Located in Downham Market, GB

A massive painted timber English garage sign. A fantastic & delightfully original piece of signage

Category

Vintage 1910s British Rustic Signs

Materials

Pine

American Pharmacist Trade Sign, circa 1950
American Pharmacist Trade Sign, circa 1950

American Pharmacist Trade Sign, circa 1950

Located in Bodicote, Oxfordshire

A nice America pharmacists trade sign, circa 1950, it is metal with different worn layers of old

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Metal, Iron

Trade Sign "Mrs. L.M. Crosswell, Millinery and Fancy Goods"
Trade Sign "Mrs. L.M. Crosswell, Millinery and Fancy Goods"

Trade Sign "Mrs. L.M. Crosswell, Millinery and Fancy Goods"

Located in Litchfield, CT

family owned and operated the general store in Farmington, Maine for several generations. The sign was

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Folk Art Signs

Early "spa" Sign
Early "spa" Sign

Early "spa" Sign

Unavailable|$1,675

Early "spa" Sign

Located in Hadley, MA

Fantastic, whimsical trade sign, advertising a 19th C version of today's Spa. The best patina of

Category

Antique 19th Century American Signs

'Smoke House' Sign, circa 1900
'Smoke House' Sign, circa 1900

'Smoke House' Sign, circa 1900

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Unusual and large-scale wood trade sign 'Smoke House' constructed from a single wide board, unusual

Category

Antique Early 1900s Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Nelson Carpentry Sign
Nelson Carpentry Sign

Nelson Carpentry Sign

Unavailable|$2,695

Nelson Carpentry Sign

Located in Aurora, OR

weathering and fading. An excellent early trade sign.

Category

Early 20th Century Rustic Signs

Materials

Wood

Large Free Standing Bottle Shaped Storage Cabinet

Large Free Standing Bottle Shaped Storage Cabinet

Located in San Francisco, CA

French painted pine trade sign, in the form of a wine bottle. Dramatic scale, sure to make a

Category

Antique 19th Century French Signs

Materials

Paint, Wood

19th Century French Double Sided Boot Repair Sign in Original Paint
19th Century French Double Sided Boot Repair Sign in Original Paint

19th Century French Double Sided Boot Repair Sign in Original Paint

Located in Bodicote, Oxfordshire

A beautiful and unique large iron French trade sign for a boot repair shop, it says on the sign

Category

Antique 1850s French Victorian Signs

Materials

Iron

French Poulterer Shop Sign
French Poulterer Shop Sign

French Poulterer Shop Sign

Unavailable|$6,899

French Poulterer Shop Sign

Located in Paris, FR

the case, where these congregated mainly in the same street, simple signs of a trade signs did not

Category

Antique 19th Century French Folk Art Signs

Materials

Metal

Antique Paint and Wallpaper Neon Can Sign
Antique Paint and Wallpaper Neon Can Sign

Antique Paint and Wallpaper Neon Can Sign

Located in Dallas, TX

Very early Art Deco era neon sign, most likely from a mercantile or hardware store. Offering wall

Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Signs

Materials

Metal

Enormous Vintage Safety Pin Display
Enormous Vintage Safety Pin Display

Enormous Vintage Safety Pin Display

Unavailable|$1,800 / set

Enormous Vintage Safety Pin Display

Located in Lambertville, NJ

Collection of old advertising or trade display signs. Early 20th century. Great example of

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Rare Counter Top Cigar Store Trade Figure
Rare Counter Top Cigar Store Trade Figure

Rare Counter Top Cigar Store Trade Figure

Located in Hadley, MA

CARVED PINE EARLY BLACK TRADE SIGN Very rare counter top cigar store trade figure

Category

Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Pine

French Zinc Horse Head

French Zinc Horse Head

Unavailable|$3,950

French Zinc Horse Head

By Craft and Folk Art Museum

Located in Geneva, IL

This zinc head trade sign is a gorgeous example of 19th century Folk Art.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Art Deco More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Rare Wooden Mannequin
Rare Wooden Mannequin

Rare Wooden Mannequin

Unavailable|$80,000

Rare Wooden Mannequin

Located in Summerland, CA

. Possibly a trade sign. Base is painted like a barrel. Ex Mendelsohn Collection

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Cast Iron Guitar

Early 20th Century Cast Iron Guitar

Located in Summerland, CA

a trade sign for a music store or pub. Length 37" x 14"w x 4"d Provenance: The Morgan Rank

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art More Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Fish Tale Folk Art Assemblage Sculpture
Fish Tale Folk Art Assemblage Sculpture

Fish Tale Folk Art Assemblage Sculpture

By Van Dusen Clockworks

Located in Dallas, TX

handmade appearance is reminiscent of the antique trade signs from the 1900s. This one-of-a-kind sculpture

Category

2010s American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Trade Sign
Trade Sign

Trade Sign

Sold|$2,750

Trade Sign

Located in Nantucket, MA

Early 20th Century Boot Trade Sign in sheet metal with original paint.

Category

Early 20th Century American Signs

Materials

Sheet Metal

Bank Trade Sign
Bank Trade Sign

Bank Trade Sign

Sold|$1,695

Bank Trade Sign

Located in Surrey, BC

Wood bank trade sign with great paint surface and guilded raised letters. Found in Montreal Canada

Category

Vintage 1930s Canadian Signs

Materials

Wood

Chemist Trade Sign
Chemist Trade Sign

Chemist Trade Sign

Located in Culver City, CA

Handpainted trade sign with gold leaf reflective background, cased in solid wood frame and original

Category

Antique 19th Century English Signs

Wooden Trade Sign
Wooden Trade Sign

Wooden Trade Sign

Located in Surrey, BC

Carriage works trade sign in original old age cracked surface with nice dry patina color. Untouched

Category

Antique 19th Century Canadian Signs

Materials

Wood

French Trade Sign
French Trade Sign

French Trade Sign

Located in London, GB

A late 19th century French trade sign, with timber handle, steel blade and old lettering 'LAGUIOLE

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Other Signs

Machinist Trade Sign
Machinist Trade Sign

Machinist Trade Sign

Located in Nantucket, MA

"J. Hamburger Machinist Phonographs Repaired" Trade sign, wood framed painted tin sign with black

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Tin

Milliner's Trade Sign
Milliner's Trade Sign

Milliner's Trade Sign

Located in London, GB

A French milliner's trade sign, first half 20th century, the eighteenth century style Bicorn hat

Category

Mid-20th Century French Other Signs

Locksmith's Trade Sign
Locksmith's Trade Sign

Locksmith's Trade Sign

Located in Stamford, CT

Trade sign depicting a giant key with the word 'Locksmithing' spelled out in whimsical fashion

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Jewelers Trade Sign
Jewelers Trade Sign

Jewelers Trade Sign

Located in Surrey, BC

Very large double sided trade sign, in heavy cast iron ( in excess of 75 lbs) with tin faces

Category

Early 20th Century American Signs

Materials

Steel

Cobblers Trade Sign
Cobblers Trade Sign

Cobblers Trade Sign

Located in London, GB

Early 20th century cobblers trade sign made from leather, wood and canvas This lot is a highly

Category

Vintage 1910s Folk Art Signs

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

Gunsmiths Trade Sign
Gunsmiths Trade Sign

Gunsmiths Trade Sign

Located in London, GB

Rare early 20th century handmade Gunsmiths trade sign This lot is a completely original and unique

Category

Vintage 1920s European Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Dutch Mercantile Trade Sign
Dutch Mercantile Trade Sign

Dutch Mercantile Trade Sign

Located in Milford, NH

Dutch mercantile trade sign beautifully carved with polychrome decoration.

Materials

Wood, Paint

Large French Trade Sign
Large French Trade Sign

Large French Trade Sign

Located in Seattle, WA

large french trade sign of wood and painted canvas. double sided, very lovely sign

Category

20th Century French Signs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Wooden Bootmaker's Trade Sign
Wooden Bootmaker's Trade Sign

Wooden Bootmaker's Trade Sign

Located in Astoria, NY

A Wooden Boot-maker’s Trade Sign in Old Red Paint. Reduced From: $3000

Category

Antique 19th Century American Signs

Materials

Wood

Top Hat Trade Sign
Top Hat Trade Sign

Top Hat Trade Sign

Located in Stamford, CT

19th century American red painted tin trade sign in the form of a top hat. With black buckle.

Category

Antique 19th Century American Primitive Signs

French Umbrella Trade Sign
French Umbrella Trade Sign

French Umbrella Trade Sign

Located in London, GB

Early 20th century, French trade sign, circa 1930, from a Parisienne 'parapluie' maker's shop, tin

Category

Vintage 1930s French Signs

'Poultry Supplies' Trade Sign
'Poultry Supplies' Trade Sign

'Poultry Supplies' Trade Sign

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Great sandpaper trade sign with hand-painted chicken and lettering. From the Ohio - Pennsylvania

Category

Early 20th Century American Signs

Materials

Wood

Ice Cream Trade Sign
Ice Cream Trade Sign

Ice Cream Trade Sign

Located in Surrey, BC

Ice cream cone trade sign found in Detroit with original paint surface and glass hole for for the

Category

Vintage 1920s American Signs

Materials

Steel

Antique Watchmaker's Trade Sign

Antique Watchmaker's Trade Sign

Located in Astoria, NY

An oversized antique gilt metal Watchmaker’s Trade Sign with the name N.F. Dujon.

Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Signs

Materials

Metal

Painted Butcher's Trade Sign
Painted Butcher's Trade Sign

Painted Butcher's Trade Sign

Located in Washington, DC

Red painted Butcher's Trade Sign with a cow on the top and tools of the trade below, in the form of

Category

Antique 19th Century French Signs

Materials

Metal

Camps & Cottages Trade Sign
Camps & Cottages Trade Sign

Camps & Cottages Trade Sign

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This cool 20th c Camps & Cottages trade sign or from a ranch or resort with original metal eyelets

Category

20th Century American Adirondack Signs

Materials

Wood

Top Hat Trade Sign
Top Hat Trade Sign

Top Hat Trade Sign

Located in Stamford, CT

19th century American painted tin trade sign in the form of a top hat. With gilt buckle and

Category

Antique 19th Century American Primitive Signs

Hat Makers Trade Sign
Hat Makers Trade Sign

Hat Makers Trade Sign

Located in Stamford, CT

19th century American painted tin trade sign in the form of a top hat. With gilt buckle, ribbon

Category

Antique 19th Century American Primitive Signs

20THC. JOHNSON ALLEN'S TRADE SIGN
20THC. JOHNSON ALLEN'S TRADE SIGN

20THC. JOHNSON ALLEN'S TRADE SIGN

Located in Los Angeles, CA

20TH C. JOHNSON ALLEN'S LOG CABIN COFFEE TIN TRADE SIGN

Category

20th Century American Signs

Materials

Tin

Trade Sign of a Seal
Trade Sign of a Seal

Trade Sign of a Seal

Located in Nantucket, MA

Trade sign in the form of a Seal Balancing a Ball.

Category

20th Century American Signs

Materials

Metal, Iron

Figurial 1800s Spectacles Trade Sign
Figurial 1800s Spectacles Trade Sign

Figurial 1800s Spectacles Trade Sign

Located in Peekskill, NY

This is the real thing and not a remake. Optometrist figural eyeglasses trade sign. Great trade

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Industrial Signs

Materials

Glass

Old French Ironwork Trade Sign
Old French Ironwork Trade Sign

Old French Ironwork Trade Sign

Located in San Francisco, CA

Old two sided metal trade sign for an ironwork shop. Nice graphics and color.

Category

Early 20th Century French Signs

Materials

Metal

Vintage Olivetti Dealer Trade Sign
Vintage Olivetti Dealer Trade Sign

Vintage Olivetti Dealer Trade Sign

Located in Peabody, MA

A vintage Olivetti dealer trade sign, logo was designed by famed Swiss graphic designer Walter

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Signs

Materials

Acrylic

Terracotta Horse Head Trade Sign
Terracotta Horse Head Trade Sign

Terracotta Horse Head Trade Sign

Located in Palm Springs, CA

A lovely 19th century, most likely French, Trade sign of butcher shop in the form of a horse head.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Signs

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Vet Trade Sign
19th Century Vet Trade Sign

19th Century Vet Trade Sign

Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex

Totally original mid-19th century French vet trade sign. Hand-painted on wooden boards Wonderful

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Signs

Giant Milk Bottle Trade Sign
Giant Milk Bottle Trade Sign

Giant Milk Bottle Trade Sign

Located in Santa Monica, CA

This large three dimensional trade sign in the shape of a milk bottle stands at over 1.5 feet tall

Category

20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

20th Century Florist Trade Sign
20th Century Florist Trade Sign

20th Century Florist Trade Sign

Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex

Mid-20th century blacksmith made florist trade sign, four full bodied flowers (tulips) and foliage

Category

Mid-20th Century French Signs

Scottish Painted Trade Sign
Scottish Painted Trade Sign

Scottish Painted Trade Sign

Located in Greenwich, CT

Hand-painted Scottish trade sign from The Romany House, a 19th century hotel, inn and tea room in

Category

Early 20th Century Scottish Signs

Materials

Wood

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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.
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.
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