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Signs For Sale
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

Antique Arts & Crafts Oak Pharmacy Apothecary Bronze Mortar & Pestle Wall Plaque
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Arts & Crafts Oak Pharmacy Apothecary Bronze Mortar & Pestle Wall Plaque. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 18" H x 12.5" W x 1" D.
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Signs

Materials

Bronze

A Large English Victorian Cast Iron Painted Doorstops, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Large English Victorian Cast Iron Painted Doorstops, 19th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Dimensions: Height: 41.5cm. Width: 20cm. Depth: 9cm.
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Signs

Materials

Iron

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

Art Nouveau Moriz Jung Cabaret Fledermaus Vienna Enameled Advertising Sign
Located in Vienna, AT
A domed, black & white enameled Art Nouveau advertising sign for Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna. Artwork by Moriz Jung from the early 1900s, the production date is around the 1960s. Hi...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Signs

Materials

Metal, Enamel, Iron

Italian modern Wall light sign by Lane Marzotto in plastic and metal, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Wall light sign by Lane Marzotto in plastic and metal, 1990s Rectangular wall light sign with rounded corners. On the central pla...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Signs

Materials

Metal

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

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. Makes an unexpected piece of wall art as a found object with tons of character.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Magnavox Television Factory TV Sign, circa 1950s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Incredible giant TV sign that graced the circa 1950s . Magnavox TV factory in Utah. Just under 11 feet tall. Mounted on original heavy iron pole. Original whit...
Category

1950s American Steampunk Vintage Signs

Materials

Iron, Sheet Metal

Vintage Dark Red Illuminated Letter E , 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial plastic dark red facade illuminated letter E was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It is equipped with a LED strip. .T...
Category

1980s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs

Materials

Plastic

Antique Folk Art Sign Copper Folk Art
Located in Munich, DE
This unusual ornamental copper plate was used to write information on it, possibly the menue for a restaurant. We can see traces of writing. The beautifull carving shows birds, leav...
Category

1860s European Folk Art Antique Signs

Materials

Copper

J. Alden Weir Hand Made Studio Sign Branchville Connecticut
Located in Garnerville, NY
Recently purchased from a multi-generational Ridgefield, CT estate of the former President of Ridgefield Savings Bank. Our esteemed and avid collector found time in his off hours in Post World War II Connecticut to scour the countryside for just about anything that struck his fancy. He had an enormous passion for model trains, porcelain figurines and pattern Depression Era glass...
Category

Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Antique Signs

Materials

Iron

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

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

Manhole Cover Prototype Folk Art, 1960s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extremely unique wooden sewer cap prototype. Made by by various wooden cubes and blocks as well as letters nailed to the front of the main ply of the cap giving it its design. The ba...
Category

1960s American Vintage Signs

Materials

Wood

Tradesign in the Form of a Brick Storehouse
Located in Greenwich, CT
An advertising device or tradesign in the form of a brick storehouse, with ten arched windows or pigeonholes to display merchandise, constructed as a roofed box mounted on wheels, fo...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Signs

Materials

Wood

French Large Size Mid-19th Century Zinc Clock Trade Sign on Custom Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French large size clock trade sign from the mid-19th century depicts an oversized pocket watch with round bow at the top. Made of zinc, this grey...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Signs

Materials

Iron, Zinc

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

Old Vintage Fun Wooden Hand Painted Sign 'No Parking' Decorative Wall Shelf Art
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A fun hand painted wooden sign reads ‘NO PARKING THIS MEANS YOU’ – Definitely some British humour! A very old sign, probably dates back to Mid 20...
Category

20th Century British Folk Art Signs

Materials

Pine

Vintage Blue and White 'Hairdressing' Sign
Located in Cirencester, GB
This French 'Coiffure' sign is mid 20th century. The silvery/blue Zinc letters are on a painted white ply board. There are lots of bumps and scrapes and plenty of character to thi...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Signs

Materials

Zinc

C1940 Advertising Sign "Nassau" Stainless Frame
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic advertising sign from possibly a travel agency or transit system c1940. Excellent vintage condition with just the right amount of wear. Stainless border and mounting hardwa...
Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Signs

Materials

Stainless Steel

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

Antique Clock Advertising Sign
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique hand-painted advertising sign in the shape of a large pocket watch showing the name BB Thorp.
Category

19th Century Antique Signs

Materials

Wood

Vintage Illuminated Letter N, 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage Industrial illuminated letter N was made in Netherlands during the 1980s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a grey m...
Category

1980s Dutch Industrial Vintage 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

Safety First Vintage Road Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Interesting vintage highway sign. Safety First, Stay Alert, Don't Get Hurt. White reflective steel sign with black lettering. Great graphics. Sup...
Category

1970s American Vintage Signs

Materials

Steel

Los Angeles 5 Freeway Shield
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Los Angeles freeway shield from the 5 freeway in Los Angeles. Interstate 5 runs from the Tijuana/California border all the way up to the Canadian ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Signs

Materials

Steel

Antique Oversized Chinese Hand Carved Signboard with Lotus and Bat Motifs, Circa
Located in Dallas, TX
An impressive and oversized hand carved antique Chinese signboard from Hubei Province, China, dating to circa 1920. The signboard is inscribed with four Chinese characters 標高莲花 (bião...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Signs

Materials

Wood

Large Hand Painted Double Sided Arrow "Radio Trade In" Folk Art Trade/Store Sign
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Hand Painted, Double Sided Arrow "Special" Radio Trade In sale,,,,Folk Art Trade/Store Sign,,Wonderful size,,amazing crackle paint, patina..Great subject.
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Signs

Materials

Masonite, Paint

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

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

Antique Ingersoll Watches Adverting Trade Sign, circa 1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
Antique double sided trade sign for Ingersoll Watches in the shape of a pocket watch. Excellent old sign in original condition. American, late 19th-ear...
Category

Early 20th Century American Other Signs

Materials

Metal

Large Weathered Trade Sign "Carriage Shop"
Located in Greenwich, CT
A 12 foot long trade sign displaying the words Carriage Shop on one side and Horse Shoeing on the other. In weathered early hand painted lettering on wood, with molded edging on all ...
Category

1870s American Antique Signs

Materials

Wood

Massive Hand Painted High School Track and Field Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage track and field sign from the early 1970s. Hand painted red sign with yellow lettering. Taken down from a California high school. Horizontal wo...
Category

1970s American Vintage Signs

Materials

Wood, Paint

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

Vintage Yellow & Black Painted Steel 'FRESH OIL' Traffic or Street Sign
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage traffic or street sign. With text that reads: FRESH OIL. In reflective yellow paint. Simply a great vintage sign! Date: Mi...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Signs

Materials

Steel

19thc Original Blue Dated 1913 Cutting Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19thc Original blue painted round cutting board was signed and dated as it was given to someone in 1913 ! It is in very good condition and painted on the front and unpainted on ...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Adirondack Antique Signs

Materials

Wood

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

Los Angeles County Line Freeway Sign, 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Super cool Los Angeles freeway sign. Made in the late 1990s. This sign welcomed you as you entered the county of Los Angeles. Reflective letters an...
Category

1990s American Signs

Materials

Aluminum

19th Century Tobacconist’s Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
English carved and polychrome decorated wood tobacconist’s trade sign in the form of a “Turk” wearing a distinctive headdress and dressed in a long robe, this advertising figure rela...
Category

19th Century British Folk Art Antique Signs

Materials

Wood

Vintage "Cabins" Single Sided Porcelain Neon Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
Vintage neon sign advertising cabins for rent. This piece features a bold Bauhaus-style font in white set against a dark background. The lettering has been traced in a turquoise neon...
Category

1940s American Industrial Vintage Signs

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Manual Entrance Bell in wrought iron, Tyrolean Craftsmanship from 1950s
By Vienna School of Arts and Crafts
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Manual entrance bell in wrought iron, Tyrolean craftsmanship from 1950 The wrought iron structure is a classic stylized dragon figure, very common in the Austrian Alto TIrolo area. ...
Category

1950s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Signs

Materials

Wrought Iron, Bronze

Advertising Tin Sign "The Delaware Insurance Company of Philadelphia" Circa 1885
By The Delaware Insurance Company of Philadelphia
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a very rare and early (circa 1885) tin advertising sign, commissioned by the Delaware Insurance Company, located and founded in Philadelphia in 1835. It was probably made by noted late 19th century sign maker, Sentenne & Green, of New York City, established in the 1870's. With an Indian motif, the sign features a Native American Indian, front and center, decorated in a brown and green headdress; with red, cream and aqua clothing and a large gold medallion...
Category

Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs

Materials

Tin

Vintage Pink Illuminated Letter T , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial plastic illuminated facade letter T was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It is equipped with a LED strip. The letter c...
Category

1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs

Materials

Plastic

Los Angeles Freeway City Limit Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Super cool Los Angeles freeway sign. Made in the late 1990s. This sign welcomed you as you entered the city of Los Angeles. Stamped "PROPERTY STATE...
Category

1990s American Signs

Materials

Aluminum

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

Whimsical "PHOTOS" Neon sign photo booth / store display
Located in Buffalo, NY
Whimsical "PHOTOS" Neon sign photo booth / store display.. Super fun decorative item. salvaged from shopping mall, Hand delivery avail to New York City or anywhere en route from Buf...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs

Materials

Metal

Art Deco era Gas Station Advertising Sign Atlantic Oil
Located in Ferndale, MI
Art Deco themed gas station advertising sign for Atlantic Oil (two sided).
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Signs

Materials

Steel

Tackle Fish Store Teade Wooden Folk Art Sign. Hunting Fishing Cabin. USA 1930´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
This fish-shaped “TACKLE” sign is such a bold and playful nod to vintage Americana. The golden finish gives it a warm, sunlit feel, like something you’d spot hanging outside a lakesi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Hollywood Sign Artist Model
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fun piece of Los Angeles artwork. Hollywood sign made as an artist's model to make larger versions at a later time. Letters are perfect scale. Made of w...
Category

Early 2000s American 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

Pair of Cat Trade Signs
Located in Branford, CT
Incredible pair of cat trade signs. Braced plywood with red glass eyes. Original paint. They can either hang on the wall or lean. Circa 1930.
Category

1930s North American Folk Art Vintage Signs

Materials

Plywood

Ladies ‘Dame’ Mid Century Restroom Sign from South of France Made in Metal
Located in London, GB
A French Mid Century Modern Swimming Pool changing room sign for a Lady or Ladies. The 3 dimensional letters made from metal box cut and riveted and weld...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs

Materials

Metal

Vintage Two-Sided Hood’s Ice Cream Advertising Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and authentic two-sided painted metal advertising sign for Hood’s Ice Cream, displayed in its original iron sidewalk frame. The sign features bold red and cream graphics with ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Signs

Materials

Metal

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 surface. Has original leaning brace mounted on back, but c...
Category

1950s American Folk Art Vintage Signs

Materials

Sheet Metal

French Art Deco Vintage Glass Hairdressing Salon Advertising Sign c.1930s Barber
Located in Bristol, GB
VINTAGE HAIRDRESSER’S ADVERTISING SIGN ‘JAQUES COIFFEUR HOMMES FILLETTES’ Reflective ribbed silver mirror encapsulated by black-backed glass reveals a reflective, eye-catching font ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Signs

Materials

Steel

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

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

Early 20th Century Folk Art Zinc Barbers Pole Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century folk art zinc barbers pole trade sign. An early 20th century hand crafted zinc barbers pole trade sign. Hand painted and of naïve construction. Lots of characte...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Signs

Materials

Zinc

Double Sided Gilt & Painted "HAPPY JACK'S" Tobacconist Trade Sign, Laconia, NH
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Two-sided tobacconist trade sign of circular form with gold leaf lettering with red shadow on a black sand paint ground with green borders "HAPPY JACK'S" centers a cutout pipe above a white banner applied to the bottom of each side which reads "CIGAR, PIPE & / TOBACCO SHOP...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Gold Leaf

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.

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