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Signs For Sale
Large Illuminated Advertisement for HB cigarettes, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
Large wall advertisment light
Good original condition with signs of use
The top part is missing some plastic
Category
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
English Pub Sign, "Fountain Head"
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub sign (one-sided) featuring a painting of a Classical urn or fountainhead spouting cascades of water in a park setting, entitled: Worth Brewery - The Crickete...
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
Antique Brass Inlaid Dentist Entranceway Wall Sign Plaque. c.1920
Located in London, GB
A beautiful brass wall plaque used for a dentist surgery. c.1920
Wonderful patination and depth of colour built up to the surface from oxidation from years of exposure to the elem...
Category
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Signs
Materials
Brass
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
Large Vintage Grey Iron Facade Letter A , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “A” was made during the 1970s in Italy and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 1,7 kg.
Category
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Vintage Schlitz Beer Sign 1980 Lighted Faux Stained Glass Look Advertising Sign
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Schlitz Beer Sign 1980 Lighted Plastic Faux "Stained Glass" Man Cave Advertising Sign Wall Decor. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 26" H x 21" W x 3" D.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Signs
Materials
Plastic
Early-20th Century Boul Club Sign
Located in London, GB
Early-20th Century Boul Club Sign
A complete one off, in the form of a hand carved / painted oversized Boul club advertising sign dated 1922. Completely u...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
An English Victorian Cast Iron Painted Doorstops, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
An English Victorian Cast Iron Painted Doorstops, 19th Century
Provenance: Private Australian Collection.
Dimensions;
Height: 25cm.
Width: 16cm.
Depth: 6cm.
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Signs
Materials
Iron
15 Foot Fair Play Basketball Scoreboard, 1980s
By Fair Play
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental vintage basketball scoreboard by Fair Play, made in the 1980s. Extremely unusual size with the player stats on both sides. Gre...
Category
1980s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Aluminum
"Brookfield Rye" Tin Advertising Sign, American, circa 1901
By The Meek Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
Beautiful semi-nude woman with translucent negligee, holding a bottle of "Brookfield Rye" whiskey is the focal point of this chromolithographic tin advertising sign, used to promote ...
Category
Early 1900s American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Tin
20th Century Blacksmith's Sign on Custom Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
A bold and striking 20th century American blacksmith's sign with an arm swinging a hammer against a block of metal on an anvil, and with sparks flying from the impact. We've had this...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Signs
Materials
Steel
Mid Century Barber Shop Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early Vintage Barber Shop Sign, circa late 1950s to early 1960s, a hand-painted sheet metal sign with old prices for old hair cuts. The sign remains in very good condition with only ...
Category
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal
Framed 18th c. Merchant Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
A late 18th century/early 19th century trade sign from a Dutch West Indies shipping merchant. The carved wood and polychromed sign depicts a winged-foot Mercury figure surrounded by ...
Category
Late 18th Century Dutch Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Clam Bake Sign, circa 1960s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Clam Bake Sign, circa 1960s, a hand painted wooden trade sign for Clam Bakes. A classic and time-honored New England tradition and favorite for natives and tourists alike, al...
Category
1960s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Pine
Large Vintage Illuminated Advertising Letter Ř , 1960s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated letter Ř was made in former Czechoslovakia during the 1960s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a metal body and a plexiglass co...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Signs
Materials
Iron
Vintage Blue Plastic Illuminated Letter R , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial blue plastic illuminated letter “ r “ was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It is equipped with a LED strip .The weight...
Category
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Plastic
Vintage Grey Illuminated Letter R , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated letter “ R “ was made in Germany during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a black metal body and a grey plastic cove...
Category
1970s German Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Blue Plastic Illuminated Letter Z , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial blue plastic illuminated letter A was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It is equipped with a LED strip. The letter can...
Category
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Plastic
Vintage Grey Illuminated Letter E, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated letter “ e “ was made in Germany during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a black metal body and a grey plastic cove...
Category
1970s German Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
$141 / item
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
Double sided porcelain subway/ bus sign "LADIES REST ROOM"
Located in Buffalo, NY
Double sided porcelain subway/ bus sign "LADIES REST ROOM".. Great old sign..Nice original condition, minor staining to one side,(see photo)
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Materials
Porcelain
Large Vintage Yellow Illuminated Letter T , 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade illuminated letter T was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a metal body and a plexiglass cover. It i...
Category
1980s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Chrome, Iron
Vintage Red Iron Facade Letter C, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “C” was made during the 1970s in France and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 0,5 kg.
Category
1970s French Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
1950s Light UP "ROOMS FOR LET" & "Chambres a Louer" SIGN, fRENCH & eNGLISH
Located in Buffalo, NY
Charming 1940s / 1950s Light UP "ROOMS FOR LET" & "Chambres a Louer" SIGN, Unusual written in fRENCH & eNGLISH,,
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
20th Century Original Painted Machine Quilting Street Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This double sided sheet metal with iron frame sandwich board reads : WE DO MACHINE QUILTING and it is on both sides. This is a all original painted doub...
Category
20th Century American Rustic Signs
Materials
Metal
Impressive Huge 19th Century Pawnbroker Folk Art Sign with Three Spheres Symbol
Located in Lowestoft, GB
An impressive rare and monumental in scale folk art pawnbroker trade sign with its original trio of giltwood spheres which represent the universal symbol for the pawnbroker trade.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Signs
Materials
Wrought Iron
Vintage Illuminated Letter v, 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated letter V was made in Italy during the 1980s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a vhite metal ...
Category
1980s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Vintage Red Iron Facade Letter N, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “n” was made during the 1970s in France and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 0,7 kg.
Category
1970s French Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
1950's Commercial Sign "All - Stainless Inc"
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage commercial business sign from early 1950's for All - Stainless, Inc.
78" long by 12" high panel of patinated blue colored aluminum with 1/4" th...
Category
1950s American Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Aluminum
20Thc Folk Art Cow Sign W/ Original Chain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20thc folky hand made cow trade sign.This full body cow hanging trade sign is double sided and has the original metal chain.The cow is hand carved & painted wood.
Category
1940s American Adirondack Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood
Traditional Large Hanging Pub Sign, Wethered’s Winterbourne Arms
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Traditional large hanging pub sign. Wethered’s winterbourne arms
This is a large and heavy piece dating from the first half of the 20th Century, it is double sided though the pain...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
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
19th Century Folk Art Upholstery Trade Sign
Located in San Francisco, CA
Wonderful 19th century hand painted folk art upholstery trade sign. Double sided wooden trade sign for an old upholstery shop in San Francisco.
A rare piece of San Francisco history...
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Enamel Sign for Colman’s Starch
Located in Cheshire, GB
Enamel sign for Colman’s Starch, of rectangular form decorated in blue and white enamel.
Dimensions
Height 16 Inches
Width 62.5 Inches
Depth 0.5 Inches.
Category
Early 20th Century British Signs
Materials
Enamel
$1,318 Sale Price
38% Off
Vintage Blue Iron Facade Letter T, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “T” was made during the 1970s in Italy and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 1,2 kg.
Category
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Vintage Metal Men Working Sign
Located in Pasadena, CA
Vintage Metal Men Working Sign with original paint. The metal work is well done as closed 20 wide x 33 high x 2deep
While open and standing this item measures - 27d x 20w x 30h
Category
1950s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
1920s Steaks & Chops Hand Painted Wood Sign • Early American Folk Art Signage
Located in Lancaster, PA
A bold and striking survivor from the early days roadside eateries, this original 1920's “STEAKS AND CHOPS” sign is hand-painted on wood with thick, period-correct lettering in butte...
Category
1920s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
English Sheep Sign Used for Woolen Store in Leek, Staffordshire UK Reproduction
Located in Chicago, IL
Decades ago, we purchased a hand-carved wood Sheep Sign that was hanging outside the front of a Woolen Store in Leek, England. For as long as I ...
Category
2010s American Country Signs
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Vintage Red Iron Facade Letter R, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “R” was made during the 1970s in France and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 0,7 kg.
Category
1970s French Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Early 20th C Collection Italian Deli Butchers Meats Shop Trade Display Folk Art
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A fun collection of Italian butchers display meats that would off adored a traditional delicatessen.
Within the collection there is a pair of late 19th/early 20th century plaster an...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Signs
Materials
Plastic, Rubber, Plaster
Hand Painted Wooden Circus Ticket Office Sign
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A hand painted circus ticket office sign.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.2000-2005.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Painted Wood.
CONDITION Good. Wear con...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Industrial Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Children at Play Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique vintage street sign that reads 'SLOW - Children at Play' Black lettering on a reflective yellow background and black trim. Fun graphics depicting two children on a teeter totter...
Category
1980s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
Large Vintage Green Iron Facade Letter I , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “ I “was made during the 1970s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 4 kg.
Category
Late 20th Century Czech Industrial Signs
Materials
Iron
Large Vintage Yellow Iron Facade Letter Š, 1960s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “Š” was made during the 1960s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old inscription POŠTA. In czech language Post Office. The weight of th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Signs
Materials
Iron
Large Vintage Green Iron Facade Letter L , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “L“was made during the 1970s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 4 kg.
Category
1970s Czech Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Advertising Sign for an Optician, from 1920s
Located in Vienna, Austria
Hand painted metal advertising sign for an optician.
The shield was attached to the facade on an optician shop and is painted with the same motive on both sides.
Signed from the si...
Category
1920s Czech Modern Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
$1,809 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Scale Vintage New York City Bus or Subway Roll, Brooklyn-Queens , 8th ave
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Scale Vintage New York City Bus or Subway Roll, Brooklyn-Queens , 8th ave... Over 11 feet !! Great old sign, double sided.
Category
1940s American Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Korhogo Cloth, Canvas
Large Vintage Green Iron Facade Letter A, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “ A “was made during the 1970s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 4,5 kg.
Category
1970s Czech Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Large Vintage Green Iron Facade Letter V , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “V”was made during the 1970s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 4 kg.
Category
1970s Czech Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
1959 California Highway 'Signal Ahead' Sign with Reflectors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 'Signal Ahead' yellow sign from a California Highway. Letters are made of reflectors. Stamped 'State of California' on the back with the date, 1959. Almost 4 feet wide. Extremel...
Category
1950s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Steel
19th Century Reliquiae Sanctorum Sign
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Remarkable original "Reliquiae Sanctorum" sign on sheet metal.
Later mounted to weathered backboards.
Italy, Circa 1850.
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal
Vintage Blue Iron Facade Letter U, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “U” was made during the 1970s in Italy and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 0,8 kg.
Category
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Vintage Red Facade Letter R , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial plastic facade letter R was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner “ ROSTICCERIA”. The weight of the letter is 0.5 kg.
Category
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Plastic
19th Century French Antique Metal Sheet - Wall Décor Sign
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, antique thin metal sheet from a shoe shop in Lyon. The black wall décor is in good condition. Minor fading, scratches due to age. Wear cons...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Signs
Materials
Metal
$2,720 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage 'Phone' Highway Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cool vintage highway sign in cobalt blue reflective metal. Depicts a large white phone on a blue background. Sign was used to direct drivers to a...
Category
1970s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Steel
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 "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 ...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Vintage Blue Illuminated Letter Y, 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial blue illuminated letter Y was made in Netherlands during the 1980s and comes from the old advertising banner. I featuers a grey iron b...
Category
1980s Dutch Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Vintage Italian PIZZA Sign. 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Vintage industrial grey iron sing “PIZZA”. Set of five letters was made during the 1970s in Italy.
Dimensions : Total width : 110 cm, Height : 30 cm ,Depth : 5 cm, Depth with wa...
Category
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Large Vintage Grey Iron Facade Letter C , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “C” was made during the 1970s in Italy and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 1,5 kg.
Category
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
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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