Signs
1
650
14
1
to
53
388
259
665
664
665
110
96
51
42
18
17
12
6
1
1
1
6
78
565
15
150
218
136
17
9
22
23
20
48
27
71
35
16
415
225
85
77
70
292
289
271
107
62
5
2
1
1
1
Signs For Sale
Vintage School Sign, 1960s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Distressed vintage embossed School sign. Reads "SCHOOL" in bold black lettering embossed on a bright yellow background with a black border. Great piece of transportation and cultural...
Category
1960s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
12ft Long Hovis Advertising Baker’s Shop Sign, Reverse Painted, Gold Leaf
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
12ft Long Hovis Advertising Baker’s Shop Sign, Reverse Painted, Gold Leaf
This is a very long pictorial sign, it is reputed to be part of the decoration from the Head Office
The si...
Category
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Signs
Materials
Glass
C1945 Cast Aluminum Trade Sign Form of a Key Keil Charlestown N.H. Keys Made
By Keil Company
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous cast aluminum trade sign circa 1945 depicting a actual key in red and silver. Perfect casting which retains its true color and material. Keil from Charlestown N.H. cast into...
Category
1940s American Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Aluminum
Visitors Please Report To Reception, Antique Sign Original Unrestored Condition
Located in Chicago, IL
“Visitors Please Report to Reception”; For over 30-years finding Old Original Great Signs has been a passion of ours and they don’t get a whole lot better than this Old Antique Sign...
Category
1910s English Country Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century American "Chiropractor" Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
Own a piece of Wisconsin's history with this early 20th century hand-painted sign from an early 20th-century chiropractor's office. The sign, found in a barn in the heart of Wisconsi...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Antique Industrial Art Deco Brass Internalite 'Ladies' Illuminated Sign, C.1920
Located in London, GB
A stunning illuminated 'Internalite' directional sign made in England by K.F.M Engineering. c.1920.
Brass frame, darkened by age, housing the internal illuminations above polished plate...
Category
Early 20th Century English Signs
Materials
Brass
Harvard University Pennant Banner, circa 1920-1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage university pennant banner with sewn letters and tassels.
CREATOR A & Co. New York, Wright & Ditson Athletic.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE circa...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Felt
Antique American Art Deco Early Frigidaire Metal Advertising Sign
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce, likely one-of-a-kind, antique American Frigidaire enameled metal advertising sign, early 20th century, period Art Deco styling, the sign reads: "See Arkadelphia Hardware Co...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Signs
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Large 19th Century Wooden Painted Lounge Sign This Is an Original Hotel Sign
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Large 19th century Wooden Painted LOUNGE Sign
This is an original Hotel sign it is made in wood, it is 73” long
This is a lovely old sign it has pa...
Category
Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Signs
Materials
Pine
English Pub Sign, "The Fox & Hounds"
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub sign (one-sided) featuring a painting of a fox being chased by three hounds entitled: The Fox & Hounds
A very fine exampl...
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
Antique Industrial Art Deco 'Exit' Illuminated Glass Sign, circa 1920
Located in London, GB
A stunning illuminated directional sign made in England, circa 1920.
Black painted steel frame housing the internal illuminations above polished plate...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Signs
Materials
Steel
1950s Sign with Farmers for Fodder
Located in Antwerp, BE
1950s Advertising sign with lots of farmers for fodder.
A large metal sign dated 1957 - Made by Sobi Brussels.
Gauverit cattle fodder sign.
With a design of a farmer wearing typic...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Rustic Signs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Metal Stable Sign, mid-20th Century
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Vintage Metal Stable Sign, mid-20th Century. A sheet metal sign of a horse head profile. Original black paint with aged surface.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Country Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal
Black painted Led lighted signs with Plexiglas lettering.
Located in Manzano, IT
Black painted Led lighted signs with Plexiglas lettering.
For display, like new, set of 2
H100 x L60 x P8 – Kg 15
Modernist Style
Periodo del design 1990 - 1999
Production period 199...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Signs
Materials
Plexiglass
Black painted Led lighted signs with Plexiglas lettering. For display
Located in Manzano, IT
Black painted Led lighted signs with Plexiglas lettering.
For display, like new
H60 x W400 x D7.5 - Kg 30
H60 x W450 x D7.5 - Kg 40
Modernist Style
Periodo del design 1990 - 1999
Pro...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Signs
Materials
Plexiglass
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
Large Early 20th Century American Usg Sheetrock Advertising Porcelain Sign
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce antique, circa 1920s /1930s, USG (United States Gypsum) porcelain enameled advertising sign, early 20th century, industrial American Art Deco Modern taste.
The large blu...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Signs
Materials
Metal, Enamel
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
Wrought Iron Bracket with Sign Panel and Grape Design
Located in Chicago, IL
Wrought iron bracket with sign panel and grape design. Nice quality. For your wine bar.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Signs
Materials
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century French Shop Sign
Located in Burton, TX
Found in the South of France, this vintage handmade wood sign once hung in a French village shop. Constructed of wood, this piece will add a touch of whimsy to your home.
56"W x...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Signs
Materials
Wood
Fairgrounds Sign, 1980s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 1980s Fairgrounds sign in a unique and bold oxblood base color with white font. Eye catching and fun, this piece has the trappings of Americana wall art...
Category
1980s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
Hellesens Advertising Pocket Knife
By Stocker
Located in East Geelong, VIC
Designed as a copy of their dry cell battery, this Hellesens advertising pocket knife measures 49 mm (2 inches) in length, is 17 mm (2/3 rds of an inch) w...
Category
1930s German Vintage Signs
Materials
Steel
Early 20th Century English Butchers Shop Display Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English butchers shop display figure.
We share what we love, and we love this early 20th century papier Mache and wood composite figure. Recently acquired from a ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Signs
Materials
Wood, Paper
Vintage Late 20th Century French Wood Painted Two Sided Chef Sign
Located in Burton, TX
Found in the South of France, this life size wood hand painted chef was once used at a bistro in Provence. Painted on both sides, this unique piece of art could be displayed on a wal...
Category
Late 20th Century French Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Vintage Large Painted 3d Industrial Builders Trade Wall Sign Plaque, C.1940
Located in London, GB
A large and unusual builders advertisement trade sign. circa 1940
Scratch built to the very highest quality for a builder local to Leamington Spa. Ca...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Industrial Signs
Materials
Aluminum
Large Red Liebig Sign, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large Red Liebig Sign from the 1950s.
A French porcelain sign - enameled metal sign for Liebig Soup - Liebig Potage,
made by A.A.F.
Great looking wall decoration in the colors red and white with charming traces by age.
Vintage sign - vintage porcelain sign wich will look great in your interior or kitchen, in a soup bar, restaurant, tavern, catering facility etc ....
Vintage signs - Vintage wall decoration - vintage wall signs...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Signs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Hand Painted on Wood Historic Golf Club Sign, 1920s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
This vintage sign for collectors is truly special. Made of wood with relief decorations and hand painted. The sign was dedicated to the historic Royal St. George's Golf Club, founded...
Category
1920s English Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood
English Pub Sign, "Nag's Head"
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub sign (one-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 di...
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
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
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 and trim nailed to the front of the main ply of the cap giving it its desig...
Category
1960s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood
Singer Sign with Tailor and Singer Sewing Machine, 1930s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage Singer sign.
A 1930s tin advertising sign for Singer Sewing and Embroidery Machines.
An antique sign with a design of a tailor behind his Singer Sewing Machine...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Signs
Materials
Tin
19th C. Belgian Cast Iron Watchmaker's Store Sign, circa 1860-1890-Free Shipping
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A 19th century watchmaker's trade sign. Double faced. Painted Cast iron body with zinc clock face.
CREATOR Unknown. Belgium.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE circa 1860-1890
MATE...
Category
19th Century Belgian Industrial Antique Signs
Materials
Iron, Zinc
Monumental Antique American Painted Turned Wood Barber Pole, circa 1875
Located in San Francisco, CA
An uncommon and towering seven-and-a-half-foot tall circa 1875 American painted turned wood barber pole trade sign.
Very impressive in both its rar...
Category
1870s American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early Timber & Iron Railway Sign
Located in Downham Market, GB
An early vintage railway notice sign.
A wonderful, early & exceptionally original timber platform sign in original painted finish with applied cast iron lettering & a fantastic pati...
Category
20th Century British Sporting Art Signs
Materials
Enamel
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
Circa 1890 Hardware Store Wood Trade Sign Carved Smaltz Black and Gold Paint
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Exceptional late 19th century hand carved letters with black and Gold paint and black smaltz background. Excellent typography. Great wall art. Simple and bold.
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique 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
Zinc French Butchers “Boucherie” Trade Sign, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
19th century Zinc French butchers “Boucherie” trade sign.
Referred to as a Boucherie, this handcrafted zinc horses head sign would have hung above a...
Category
Early 1900s French Victorian Antique Signs
Materials
Zinc
Vintage Late 20th Century French Wood Painted Two Sided Chef Sign
Located in Burton, TX
Found in the South of France, this life size wood hand painted chef was once used at a bistro in Provence. Painted on both sides, this unique piece of art could be displayed on a wal...
Category
Late 20th Century French Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
20thc "Meat Market" Trade Sign from Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The patina is so wonderful on this 20thc Meat Market trade sign. The sign is in good used condition.There is a minor crack in the middle of the sign. This sign was found in Pennsylvania.It is a double sided sign...
Category
20th Century American Adirondack Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Late 20th Century French Wood Painted Two Sided Chef Sign
Located in Burton, TX
Found in the South of France, this life size wood hand painted chef was once used at a bistro in Provence. Painted on both sides, this unique piece of art could be displayed on a wal...
Category
Late 20th Century Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
Authentic Antique Folk Art Equestrian Horse Farm Sign
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Charming hand made vintage horse farm sign that is finished front and back. The horse and letters are black wrought iron, and the wood has a distressed paint...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Vintage Green Metal "Exit/Uit" Sign
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rare vintage sign from The Netherlands. "UIT", Dutch Flemish (translates to EXIT in English). This piece may be mounted on a wall or ceiling, placed...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Signs
Materials
Metal
20th Century American Folk Art Swimmer Cutout on Custom Wall Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
A playful and cheeky mid-20th century American Folk Art wooden cutout of a blond swimmer flexing in his black and white striped swimsuit, mounted on a custom steel wall mount so he c...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Plywood
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
Handmade Neon Hanger, 1980s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Eye catching piece of wall art comprised of neon tubes bent into the shape of a clothing hanger. Fragile glass tubes bent by hand into its design and a bright white color give this p...
Category
1980s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
Hand Painted $100 REWARD Wooden Sign, 1940s Los Angeles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great vintage wood sign from the 1940s. Hand-painted. Misspellings and grammatical errors. The owner Samuel Spilk lived in Long Beach in the 1940s. ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Double Sided Metal Boot Makers Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century double sided metal boot makers trade sign.
A highly decorative double sided hand painted metal French boot makers trade sign, Still attached to its original hin...
Category
1930s French Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
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
Rather Large Vintage Beaver Sign from a Zoo
Located in Chicago, IL
A rather large and whimsical mid-20th century American beaver sign from a Wisconsin zoo. The sign composed of two thin sheets of steel with a thin sheet of plywood sandwiched between...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Signs
Materials
Steel
“Giant” Scissors, Advertising Store Display
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cast aluminum oversized scissors
probably used for advertising and or store display.
These will add interest to any room, wall, hair salon or fash...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Materials
Aluminum
Vintage Neon Chemist Sign in a Perspex Box, 20th Century
Located in Faversham, GB
A commanding vintage neon chemist sign in a perspex box that reads ‘prescriptions’ once illuminated.
Support chains are included on either side of the p...
Category
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Plastic, Acrylic, Fiberglass, Glass
Large Midcentury Vintage 'Hove' Advertising Light Box
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Large mid century vintage 'Hove' advertising light box.
The box is made from fiberglass and contains a modern LED light fitting.
The item has a...
Category
1990s British Industrial Signs
Materials
Fiberglass
Large Vintage Hamm's Beer Lakeside Plastics Advertising Hanging Lighted Sign
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large vintage Hamm's beer lakeside plastics advertising hanging lighted sign. Item features a large impressive size, lighted interior, "Hamm's Beer, Take Home Cool Refreshment," orig...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Signs
Materials
Metal
English Pub Sign, "Free House, The Cask and Taverners"
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub sign (two-sided) featuring a painting of two revelers or publicans in Carolingian costume enjoying the libations and victuals of a fine inn, entitled: Free House - The Cask & Taverners.
A free house in Great Britain is a public house...
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
Gazelle Bicycles Glass Advertising Sign
Located in Antwerp, BE
Old glass advertising sign for Gazelle Bicycles, a bicycle factory in the Netherlands since 1892. This Art Deco publicity sign is made of glass - advertising behind glass.
Beautiful...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Art Deco Signs
Materials
Glass
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Straight Razor Sign
Vintage Payphone
Vintage Bowling Sign
Retro Neon Diner Signs
Nyc Street Porcelain Sign
Porcelain Barber Shop Sign
Vintage Ladies Restroom Sign
Reddy Kilowatt
No Skinny Dipping Sign
Wind Spinner
Corona Beer Signs
Antique Marquee Sign
Large Enamel Pub Sign
Nevco Scoreboard
Bus Blind
Frigidaire Vintage
Tin Sign Singer
Coca Cola Bottling Co. On Sale