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Signs For Sale
Early 20th Century Country House Horse Stable Name Plaques Signs
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A charming collection of six, hand painted Horse stable name plaques.
Each plaque is pine, with an ebonised painted ground and gilt lettering. Age related knocks and abrasions comm...
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Signs
Materials
Pine
Vintage Minneapolis-Moline SSP Neon Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1930s/1940s; Minneapolis Moline Power Implement Co. - Hopkins/Minneapolis, MN
Vintage single-sided porcelain tractor company neon sign.
This piece advertises Minneapolis-Moline,...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Signs
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century Hand Painted "Courage" Sign
Located in STOKE ON TRENT, GB
Vintage Steel Courage Sign
A heavy Steel compact sign from the early 20th century has been hand-painted with the inspiring motivating word "Courage." It has a simplistic design, and...
Category
Early 20th Century Signs
Materials
Steel
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
Oversized Match, 1980s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pop art lovers will adore this oversized match. Great accent piece to add to any bookshelf or wall. Also looks great standing up against the wall.
Solid and smooth wood makes up th...
Category
1980s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Woods Hole Golf Club Antique Sign from Cape Cod
Located in Sandwich, MA
Antique sign from the Woods Hole Golf Club in Falmouth, MA circa 1900. Includes original wrought iron bracket meant for mounting on a square post. Great original surface. Also reads ...
Category
1890s American Antique Signs
Materials
Wrought Iron
Double Sided Vintage Marlboro Light Up Cigarette Pack, 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible vintage advertising light up box by Marlboro. Massive scale. Looks great hanging on the wall or on the ground. Sun fading gives this piece a beautiful yellowish hue and pa...
Category
1990s American Signs
Materials
Steel
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
Charming Hand-Painted Advertising Sign – "The Two Friends, Lodgings for Seamen"
Located in New York, NY
Charming Hand-Painted Advertising Sign – "The Two Friends, Lodgings for Seamen"
This whimsical advertising sign, depicting two female figures, is inscribed with "The Two Friends, Lo...
Category
20th Century English Victorian Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Vintage 'ON AIR' Studio Light, 1970s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original "On Air" studio lighted box sign dating from the 1970s. The box is made of metal and front sign is made of plastic that is painted in an emerald green with bold opaque cream lettering. The piece is in great vintage condition and has been newly rewired. Would look great mounted on a wall or placed on a tabletop for a perfect room accent or mood lighting. Great piece of old Hollywood collectible.
Category
1970s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
Late 19th Century Cigar Store Carved Wooden Indian Tobacconist Trade Sign
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A life size carved pitch pine cigar/tobacconist trade sign/point of sale in the form of an Indian. Often placed outside of a shop, the cigar store Indian became less common in the 20...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Signs
Materials
Steel
Fair Play 1960s Electro-Magnetic Basketball Scoreboard
By Fair Play
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage basketball scoreboard by Fair Play, made in the 1960s. Taken down from a high-school in Ohio. In full working order with controll...
Category
1960s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Aluminum
Nevco LED Basketball Scoreboard, 2000s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic green metal LED scoreboard by Nevco. Made in the early 2000s in the US. Can be used for multiple sports. 100% functional and gone through. Running clock, guest and home sco...
Category
Early 2000s American Signs
Materials
Aluminum
1950’s Enamel and Neon Corner Sign Cafe
Located in Chicago, IL
1950’s enamel and neon corner Cafe sign. It has new transformer and wiring. Please note that there will be additional fee for making shipping crate.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Materials
Enamel
1950’s Neon Sign Diner
Located in Chicago, IL
1950’s neon sign Diner. It has new transformer and new wiring. Please note that this sign needs to be created for shipping. There will be fee to make ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
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
Double Sided Painted Wood Doll Furniture Sign
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Midcentury, Folk Art, double sided, painted wood "Doll Furniture" sign with jagged edges.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Think Big Giant Matches and Matchbox
By Think Big
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic set of oversized matches and matchbox, made by Think Big NYC in 1984. Set contains all 8 original matches. Box slides open as a normal matchbox...
Category
1980s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Plastic, Paper, Felt, Wood, Paint
1930s Sign with Calendar for French Wine
Located in Retie, BE
1930s sign with adjustable calendar for French Wine.
French advertising sign or publicity sign
designed for the wine estate or castle"Château de Corton Pierre André",
which was sit...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Signs
Materials
Other
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
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
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 cast iron French shoemakers shop trade sign. Hand crafted from a hand cut iron metal...
Category
1880s French Early Victorian Antique Signs
Materials
Wrought Iron
Large Industrial Times Roman Marquee Letter R
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large, industrial, painted aluminum, Times Roman font, marquee letter R. The letter can stand on it's own or be wall mounted.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Signs
Materials
Aluminum
Early 20th Century City of Westminster London Antique Milk Glass Street Sign
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous early milk glass street sign from the City of Westminster London. Original wood frame in excellent vintage condition. A couple of cracks in the glass on right lower corner. ...
Category
1910s English Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Milk Glass, Hardwood
Large Painted Wooden Automobile Advertising Sign, “Scott Bro’s Morris”
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large painted wooden automobile advertising sign, “Scott Bro’s Morris”
This is a large painted wooden wall sign
Shabby now but quite readable
It is 25” high and 108” wide
TGB...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
L & N E R Wooden Railway Sign
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
L & N E R Wooden Railway Sign
This great British Railway sign is a piece of History, dating from the 1930s the sign is painted on a framed wooden board...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Wood
Decorative Bacchanalian Wine Bar Menu, Black Board
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Decorative bacchanalian wine bar menu, black board
A very decorative piece with the theme of grape bearing nymphs in both corners at the top
The attractiv...
Category
Mid-20th Century Baroque Revival Signs
Materials
Wood
Large Painted Wooden Advertising Sign, “HORNIMAN’S PURE TEA”
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large painted wooden advertising sign, “HORNIMAN’S PURE TEA”
This is a large painted wooden wall sign
Shabby now but quite readable
It is...
Category
Early 20th Century Rustic Signs
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Gold Gilt Zinc Weathervane
Located in London, GB
Late 19th century gold gilt zinc weathervane
A true working example of a late 19th century zinc weathervane in the form a rooster. With its original gold gi...
Category
1890s French Early Victorian Antique Signs
Materials
Zinc
Early 20th Century Wood and Canvas Painted Produce Sign
Located in Troy, MI
Wooden produce sign found in England, circa 1920s. Wood foundation is covered in strips of canvas which have been hand painted by unknown artist.
Category
Early 20th Century English Rustic Signs
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Vintage "African Queen" Boat Name Sign, circa 1950s
Located in South Bend, IN
A fantastic vintage "African Queen" boat name sign,
circa 1950s
Measures: 59.63" W x 0.75" D x 10.13" H.
Hand carved wood and paint
Very good original vintage condition.
...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
1960s Tin Sign for Lemonade, Belgium
Located in Retie, BE
1960s tin sign for lemonade.
A romantic and cute metal advertising sign for Lemonade.
This old wall sign is dated 1961 and was made for the Belgian Company Leberg. Leberg started in 1933 with botteling water and lemonades.
A man and a woman are having a date and are drinking a lemon and orange soft drink from a bottle with a straw. It does also make you think at lady and the tramp.
This Vintage Tin Sign...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Tin, Metal
Set of 7 Mid-Century Era Painted Wood Carnival Folk Art Sign Box Letters
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of seven Folk Art wooden box letters were made in Canada is circa 1965 and were once mounted on a carnival sign for either a ride or an at...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Wood
Cast Zinc Aluminum Alloy Gilt Marquee Letter E
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cast zinc aluminum alloy, marquee letter E, features a painted gilt surface with its wonderful, weather-worn, original patina.
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Signs
Materials
Zinc
Large Midcentury Porcelain Letter "B" from the Stix Baer and Fuller Sign
By Bauhaus
Located in St. Louis, MO
Large 44.75" H porcelain letter B, from the former Stix, Baer & Fuller sign. This letter was once on the Mid-Century Modern Stix, Baer & Fuller department store in the Westroads Shop...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Rustic English Private Land Owners Trespassers Sign
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th century rustic private land owners trespassers sign
This sign is made in elm with metal lettering set in relief it says
Notice
No road
Trespassers Wil
Be prosecuted
By...
Category
Mid-19th Century Rustic Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Enameled Metal Sign for Cafe San Rivo in Sao Paulo
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid-twentieth century red and white enameled metal sign is double faced and promotes the Cafe San Rivo in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Below is marked Dep...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Signs
Materials
Metal
1950s Store Display Gibbs Shaving Razors, France
Located in Retie, BE
Vintage store display - counter display for Gibbs shaving razors.
A 1950s shop mill - shop display with little boxes filled with shaving razors.
This a...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century Double Sided French Zinc Clock Smiths Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century double sided French zinc clock Smiths Trade sign
We are proud to offer a rare example of an early 20th century French double sided clock smiths trade sign. With i...
Category
1910s French Victorian Vintage Signs
Materials
Zinc
Vintage Tom's Peanuts Wooden Display Stand
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage wooden stand used to display Tom's peanuts. Six shelves with an ebonized base. Nice wear and patina.
Category
1940s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood
Giant Art Deco Brass Fountain Pen and Mechanical Pencil Display Models
By Wahl Eversharp Co
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE
Oversized retail advertising presentation brass fountain pen and mechanical pencil display signs from the early 1920s when they would have been featured within a wood and glass display cabinet at the pen counter of a stationary store.
Originally the fountain pen would have been marked on its side "Wahl Pen...
Category
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Signs
Materials
Brass
1920s Tin Sign Chicorée Mondiale by Rob Otten, Belgium
By Rob Otten
Located in Retie, BE
Vintage black and yellow tin publicity shop display - metal advertising sign
for Chicorée Mondiale. This Art Deco Sign is dated 1927.
The Letters are pressed into the metal, what ...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Art Deco Signs
Materials
Tin
19th Century Folk Art Wartime Relationship Commemorative Plaque
Located in London, GB
19th century Folk Art Wartime relationship commemorative plaque
We are proud to offer a rare and unique commemorative wartime relationship plaque...
Category
1880s Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Very Early X-Ray Building Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is one of the best signs I've ever had. It's 10 feet 8 inches long by 19 inches by 5 inches thick. The letters are painted in the negative, just like an X-ray. The letters are "...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Signs
Materials
Tin
Wills Gold Flake Cigarettes Advertising Mirror
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Wills Gold Flake cigarettes advertising mirror
Very rare old mirror, a bold picture of the Gold Flake packet set in an golden oak frame
The m...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
1940s Enamel Sign for Eveready Batteries
Located in Retie, BE
Rare vintage collectable porcelain sign, enamel sign, enamelled advertising sign, antique advertising art for Eveready batteries.
This advertising display shows a Piccolo - Bell boy...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Enamel
19th Century Decorative Change /Cigar Trays
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century decorative cigar tray given at bars as props/gift. These are in great condition with minor wear consistent of age and use. Each measure the same.
Category
19th Century American Other Antique Signs
Materials
Tin
Heraldic Crest Framed & Painted on Slate from Borough of Finchley, Coat of Arms
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Heraldic crest framed & painted on slate from Borough of Finchley, coat of arms.
The coat of arms is 3 dimensional, it has been carved, painted and gilded, and set in golden b...
Category
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Signs
Eat or Tea Large Scale 1950s American Porcelain Enameled Steel Letters Sign
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Superb large scale American 1950s porcelain enameled metal letters, over 24" high, originally used as exterior signage from Chicago. EAT or TEA or ETA or ATE, 3 individual heavy gauges pressed and folded cold-rolled steel letters...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
Charming Advertising Sign, Re Lion Oxo for Winter Health
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A charming advertising sign, Re Lion Oxo for Winter Health
This is delightful piece showing a very fierce lion (Re-Lion) the sign is an original grocer shop print, the frame is no...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Signs
Materials
Paper
Advertising Mirror “Crawford’s Delightful Biscuits” Baker or Cafe
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
“Crawford’s Delightful Biscuits” baker/cafe advertising mirror
This is a good piece the bevelled mirror is set in a 2” wide oak frame, in the centre in large letters...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Signs
Materials
Mirror
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 sign was probably from a old vintage court house.
Category
20th Century American Country 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
19th Century Chinese Restaurant Hand Carved Trade Sign of Fish
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Chinese restaurant hand carved trade sign of fish.
Category
19th Century Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
19th Century "Goff's Cough Syrup" Original Salmon and Black Painted Thermometer
By Goff & Sons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare and unusual 19th century original painted thermometer with amazing untouched surface. The glass and tin is all original. Reads Cures, Colds, Group, Lung Affections, Herb Bitters...
Category
19th Century American Antique Signs
Materials
Tin
Set of Three Folk Art Straight Edge Razor Trade Signs
Located in Stamford, CT
Three whimsical American folk carved wood art trade signs in the form of straight edge razors. Used by barbers as interior advertisements. Two have...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Old Advertising Sign for Blood Oranges Displaying a Horse, Pottery, Italy, 1920s
Located in Vienna, AT
A decorative advertising sign, made of ceramic, dated around 1920s, made in Italy. An advertising sign for selling Italian blood oranges, displaying a white horse. Good condition wit...
Category
1920s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Signs
Materials
Pottery
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.