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Signs For Sale
Antique Early 20th C Hanging Trade Shop Sign "Antiques" Star of David Solomon
Located in Lowestoft, GB
Hanging double sided trade sign, sheet metal with a black ground and gilt lettering. Two pretty cast iron riveted hanging brackets.
A small Star of Solomon is located in the corner ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
1960s English Carnival Sign
Located in High Point, NC
1960s carnival art sign from England. It is advertising a cake walk on one side of the sign, and on the back has a charming message "Have a nice Victorian day". Great sign for any co...
Category
1960s English Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood
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
$1,258
Early 20th Century Lighted Figural Copper Apothecary Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
Antique figural copper trade sign.
This piece takes the form of an antique mortar and pestle, one of the most important tools used by practitioners of medicine for centuries. This t...
Category
Early 20th Century American Signs
Materials
Copper
Original Vintage Post Modern Advertising Sign For Memphis Group At Liberty & Co
Located in Bristol, GB
MEMPHIS MILANO ADVERTISING SIGN/POSTER
An original point-of-sale sign advertising the Memphis Group that would have been displayed in Liberty & Co. flagship Regent Street, London st...
Category
Late 20th Century British Post-Modern Signs
Materials
Natural Fiber, Paper
Philips Radio Enamel Advertising Sign Wall Plaque, 1930s
By Philips
Located in Vienna, AT
An enameled advertising sign / wall plaque "Philips Radio", dating from around 1930. It was produced for the Dutch brand Philips to promote their radios in the early 20th century. Th...
Category
1930s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal, Enamel, Iron
English Pub Sign, "Nag's Head"
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub sign (two-sided) featuring a painting of a horse's head in a bridle entitled: Nag's Head.
A very fine example of vintage advertising artwork, ready for disp...
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
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 sign, origins of France, dated to the early part of the 20th century, made from metal ...
Category
1920s Early Victorian Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
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
Antique Art Deco Brass Illuminated Advertising Cinema Reception Flambosign Sign
Located in Sale, GB
- A fabulous Art Deco illuminated Reception 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
Zinc and Gold Horse Head Butchers Trade Sign Flemish 1860
Located in Hastings, GB
19th century Flemish gilt zinc horse head trade sign. This beautiful hand made sign was used by a Flemish butcher and dates to circa 1860. There are still remnants of the beautiful g...
Category
1860s Belgian Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Zinc
Composition California State Seal
Located in Round Top, TX
Composition seal from the state of California. From a TV courtroom drama.
Category
1980s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Plaster
Vintage Oversize Truck Sign c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original painted oversize truck sign with steel brackets that was mounted to a semi truck.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1950.
MATERIALS AND TEC...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Steel
Snip Snip! Giant French Wooden Scissor Trade Sign, Early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
This early 20th-century hand-carved wooden trade sign, shaped like an oversized pair of scissors, is a striking example of French folk art. Measuring an impressive 40 inches in lengt...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
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
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
Vintage Metal Bar Sign, "Mr. Pubb"
Located in San Francisco, CA
Not much is known about this rather cheeky round bar sign, metal painted bronze/gold, of a man in a top hat. Either the mystery man or the establishment, whi...
Category
20th Century American Signs
Materials
Metal
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 with white shadow lines on an orange ground. Painted on a single pine plank with notc...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine, Paint
Large Woolworth & Co Gilt Metal Number Ten Sign Wall Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Very large cast metal “10” from one of the iconic F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10 cent store front signs. Made in the 1920s, these numbers letters have become v...
Category
1920s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
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
Vintage Hand Painted British Motorcycle Shop Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage graphic Motorcycles sales and service sign. Great hand-painted lettering. Wood with original paint surface. Found in the northeastern United States. Fun Americana with a Brit...
Category
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood
Light Up Paper 'Yield' Sign, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage light up Yield sign with a white wire metal frame and rice paper body. Made with great attention to detail and skill. A very unique piece that...
Category
1980s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
Signed Snap Wyatt Sideshow Banner
By Snap Wyatt
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic "Plenty For Two" sideshow banner painted by Snap Wyatt. Great manageable size.
Category
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
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
French La Belle Époque Lighted Bistro Cafe Sign
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic double sided bistro cafe metal sign from France's La Belle Époque period. Features a lacquer finish with pierced letters reading "Montre Ponctua"...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Signs
Materials
Metal
Large Big Bear Lake California Highway Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very cool vintage California freeway sign showing the way to Big Bear Lake. Iconic location in California, cool piece of history. Great coloring and worn condition. Fantastic piece of California ephemera...
Category
1970s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Steel
Early 20th Century Kodak Advertising Enamel Sign, English, For Train Rides
Located in Crespières, FR
This antique Kodak advertising sign is made of thick enamel in black, yellow and red colours.
The colours are bright and shiny, with an good relief.
The condition is fairly good co...
Category
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
Double Sided Hanging No Smoking Please Gas Station Garage Enamel Sign
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Original 1930s double-sided enamel Stop Your Motor Please No Smoking Gas Station Garage Sign.
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Signs
Materials
Enamel
Rare Painted Antique Lead Watchmaker’s Shop Sign
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An outstanding piece of Folk Art, this Pocket Watch form Lead sign has a painted face with Roman numerals in the 9:00 position. Cast into the outer frame are the words, “Watches, Je...
Category
19th Century Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Lead
Early 20th Century Pawn Brokers Trade Sign from Edinburgh UK
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Pawn Brokers Trade Sign from Edinburgh UK
An oversized and authentic aged example of an early 20th Century pawn brokers wooden and cast metal trade sign. The se...
Category
Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Signs
Materials
Metal
Keystone Broom Corn Advertising Sign
Located in San Francisco, CA
Keystone broom corn supplies metal advertising sign
22.75" x 25.5"
Category
19th Century American Antique Signs
Materials
Metal
Acid Yellow Reflective Pedestrian Road Sign from Los Angeles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great acid yellow reflective road sign from the City of Los Angeles. Depicting a man and woman crossing the road. Good vintage condition.
Category
1990s American Signs
Materials
Steel
Mid-20th Century Hand Painted Double Sided English Fairground Sign
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century Hand Painted Double Sided English Fairground Sign
A genuine English mid-20th Century double sided hand painted fairground sign. Better Game, Better Sport, Better Tr...
Category
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Materials
Plywood
Large Vintage Sign
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Large one of a kind wooden sign with fantastic details. Great colors and intricate shapes. Originally hung outside a CT sweet shop.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Signs
Materials
Wood
$944 Sale Price
58% Off
Antique Art Deco Brass Illuminated Advertising Cinema Showerbath Flambosign Sign
Located in Sale, GB
- A fabulous Art Deco illuminated Showerbath 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
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 cigar shape. Lettered in Gold Paint.
In good conditions, it was a in doors sign. Perfect for any cigar smoker.
Cigars History:
A cigar is basically dried tobacco leaves that are rolled and wrapped by other tobacco leaves in order to give you a full tobacco smoking experience.
Cigars are becoming more popular all around the world recently because they are exposed to a pop culture where a lot of famous people like Michael Jordan and Arnold Schwarzenegger smoke them.
In order to understand why cigars have become very well-known, we need to take a good look at their history and where they came from. That way, we can truly understand this pop phenomenon. Here is a brief history of cigars.
Origin of Cigars
The exact origin of cigars is not entirely known but historians believe that cigars were first invented by the ancient Mayans.
The ancient Mayans would collect tobacco leaves and wrap them up in a plantain leave in order to smoke it. An ancient Mayan pot...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Hand Painted on Wood Advertising Sign for Golf Equipments, 1920s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
This vintage sign for collectors is truly special. Made of wood with relief decorations and hand painted. The advertising sign was dedicated to the golf attire and equipment.
Category
1920s Scottish Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood
Antique Vintage French Double Sided Glass Pharmacy Chemist Apothecary Sign
Located in Sale, GB
- A beautiful and rare double sided glass 'Pharmacie' sign mounted in its original frame, France circa 1930.
- The sign is of exceptional quality and has glass to both sides, light w...
Category
Early 20th Century British Signs
Materials
Glass
Vintage Illuminated Letter P , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated facade letter P was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a black bakelite body and a white plexigl...
Category
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Bakelite, Plexiglass
19th Century French Brown Boot Maker Store Sign, Antique Parisian Wall Decor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French exterior sign of a Parisian boot maker in painted metal of beige and brown color with a spur painted in a silver color mounted on a w...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Signs
Materials
Metal, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Chicago Pharmacist Milk Glass Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
This sign was manufactured by Rawson & Evans sometime during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Rawson & Evans was best known for glue chipped glass signs and gold leaf signs. This sign...
Category
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Signs
Materials
Metal
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
Rare Wiener Werkstätte of America Inc New York Enameled Advertising Sign
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare, domed, black and white enameled Art Nouveau advertising sign for Wiener Werkstatte. (founded by Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser and Fritz...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Signs
Materials
Metal, Enamel, Iron
Vintage Double Sided Metal Motor Oil Sign c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original distressed double sided metal sign "Super Motor Oil" on one side and "Sonoco Hottest Brand Going" on the other side.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE ...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Weather-Bird Shoes SSP Neon
Located in Dekalb, IL
Vintage porcelain base neon sign advertising Weather-Bird Shoes, a line of outdoor waterproof shoes manufactured by Peters, Division of International Shoe Co., St. Louis, MO.
This p...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Signs
Materials
Porcelain, Glass
Iron Bull Butcher Trade Sign with Hanging Bracket from the Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
An iron butcher trade sign in the shape of a bull or a cow from the early 1900s. This iron trade sign was born in the early 20th century and was probably adorning the storefront of a...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Signs
Materials
Iron
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
19th Century American Trade Sign 'Crook', Medina, NY
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century American trade sign 'Crook', Medina, NY
Craftsman made, with sand-painted back ground with 10" x 12" giltwood letters spelling 'Croo...
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
$6,000 Sale Price
36% Off
Antique North Carolina Bait Shop Retail Flounder Fish Painted Wood Trade Sign
Located in Forney, TX
A most charming and one-of-a-kind antique North Carolina bait shop trade sign with beautifully weathered patina!
A wonderful example of American folk art, early 20th century, primitive hand-crafted construction, sculptural wooden form depicting large flounder fish, with distinctive fins and polychrome painted decoration.
Wall hanging, easily secured using the two eye-screws, or the screws can be removed and the sign placed on a mantel.
Dimensions: (approx)
31.5" High, 48.5" Wide, 2.5" Deep
Sure to add elegant rustic warmth, antique character, charm, and rich historical interest to any space, especially traditional coastal, Hamptons chic, New England cottage, beach house modern, lake house, and rustic lodge, to name just a few!
Provenance / Acquisition:
Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Bright Star Antiques Co., Sulfur Springs, Texas. Specializing in early American antiques...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
18th C "Stolen or Strayed" Gem Penned Notice Sign For its Return Giltwood Frame
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A stolen gem!!!! beautiful penned circa mid to late 18th century notice for it to be returned. Housed in a later glazed deep moulded gilt frame
“Stolen or strayed the 8th instant At...
Category
18th Century English Antique Signs
Materials
Art Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Advertising Glass Sign "Trink Coca Cola - Coke". 1950 - 1959
Located in CADALSO, ES
Great condition
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Glass
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
Holstein Milk Painted Metal Trade Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky original painted hand made Holsteins Milk metal farm trade sign has the original chain for hanging.It has spots that has paint loss and mino...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Massive Antique Garage Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
Carved and painted dimensional lettering adorned to a large painted plank to advertise a service station/car repair garage.
145.5" W x 25" H
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Illuminated Letter D, 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage Industrial illuminated letter D was made in Italy during the 1980s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a black metal ...
Category
1980s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
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 original wrought Iron bracket. Came out of a Hudso...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Primitive Antique Signs
Materials
Iron
Early 20th C School Classroom Plaques Classics, English, History & Economics
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A collection of four oak classroom door plaques, hand painted with gilt lettering, chamfered decorative edges and counter sunk fixing holes.
More than likely from a well to do teach...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Signs
Materials
Oak
1950’s Enamel and Neon TV Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
1950’s enamel and glass TV sign. It has new transformer and new wiring. There will be Additional fee for shipping crate.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Materials
Enamel
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
Giant Bayer Pill Pop Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental vintage Bayer pill in cream plaster/ceramic. 7" diameter. Likely used as a store display. Whimsical desktop object or paperweight. Black felted bottom. Great piece of art ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Plaster, Paint
$750 / set
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.