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Signs For Sale
English Pub Sign "The Magdalen"
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub sign (one-sided) featuring a painting of a monastery abbey ruin, entitled: The Magdalen.
A very fine example of vintage advertising artwork and ready for d...
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Paint, Wood
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
19th Century, Apothecary Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
Figural trade sign in the form of a mortar and pestle, both the mortar and pestle are hand turned and gilded, with strong ring turnings. The top is capped with zinc and still bears i...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Zinc
Vintage Illuminated Letter T, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage Industrial illuminated letter T was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a black metal ...
Category
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
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
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
Antique Chinese Wooden Sign Board with Calligraphy from the 19th Century
Located in Yonkers, NY
This antique Chinese horizontal sign board made during the 19th century displays Chinese characters carved in wood in a splendid calligraphic style. The frame is enhanced by red and ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Matched Pair of Edwardian Milk Glass Shop Signs
Located in London, GB
Matched pair of Edwardian milk glass shop signs.
We share what we love, and we love this rare, matched pair of Edwardian milk glass shop signs. One stating “All kinds of repairs” ...
Category
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Signs
Materials
Milk Glass
Convex enamel plaque, André Stouls, Lutterbach beer, 1648, ALS Strasbourg
Located in NANTES, FR
This enamel plaque is typical of the 1930s, with a very geometric design.
It is signed André Stouls 21, and was manufactured by Email ALS. The marking reads "STRASBOUP," with some l...
Category
20th Century European Art Deco Signs
Materials
Metal
Large Vintage Illuminated Letter N , 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated letter N was made in United Kingdom during the 1980s and comes from an old advertising banner BENTLEY It features a black metal body and a white ...
Category
1980s British Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Hand Painted Studebaker Wagons Sign c.1930
By Studebaker
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original Studebaker hand-painted wooden sign, originally from a 1930s wagon shop. Emblazoned with "Studebaker Wagons" at the center and "New" and "Used" on either side, thi...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Blue Iron Facade Letter N, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “N” was made during the 1970s in Italy and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 1 kg.
Category
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Rare Glass Pedestrian Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic glass pedestrian street crossing sign. Great coloring. Excellent condition. Illuminates beautifully in sunlight.
Category
1950s American Vintage Signs
"In The Shade of The Old Apple Tree" Tin Advertising Sign, American, circa 1906
Located in Incline Village, NV
Outstanding example of this iconic and highly sought after tin advertising sign made by the Shonk Company, Chicago, Illinois, circa 1906. The subject matter depicts a farm scene with...
Category
Early 1900s American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Tin
19th Century Apothecary Mortar & Pestle Countertop Trade Sign or Sale Stimulator
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Apothecary trade sign or sale stimulator in the form of a mortar and pestle in gilt wood. The mortar of cylindrical waisted form with a central half round band and stepped rings at t...
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Red Facade Letter I , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial plastic facade letter I was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner “ ROSTICCERIA”. The weight of the letter is 0.3 kg.
Category
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Plastic
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
Anonymous Abstract Geometric Painted Board
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Bold geometric abstract board found in Texas. We have a collection of these boards from an anonymous artist. Painted on recycled cupboard doors, table tops, stool tops and bread boar...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Wooden Boot Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique wooden boot sculpture. Various woods/patinas give the boot texture, color and depth. Just under 2 feet wide. Additional details include, four eyelets with laces, a thick leath...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Signs
Materials
Wood
Antique Folk Art Reverse Painted and Foil Exhibition Sign in Gilt Frame
Located in Nantucket, MA
Folk Art exhibition sign, reverse painted glass with reserved text backed in gold and silver crinkled foil reading "Exhibition / of / Paintings / on / Glass / By Edgar F. Curtis"
E...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Foil
1920s “TOURISTS” Cast Metal Sign Glass Cat Eye Reflectors Boarding House Sign
Located in Lancaster, PA
A vibrant early highway-era relic, this original 1920s "TOURISTS" sign is cast in heavy metal with bold silver lettering inset with original glass cat-eye reflectors, all mounted to the original red painted backer. Made by J.F. Bingham of Nashua, New Hampshire, these directional signs guided travelers to lodging and camps in the early days of motor tourism. Each reflector still shines brightly under direct light, while the paint has aged beautifully with surface patina and wear. A rare survivor with undeniable character—perfect for cabin, garage, or collection display.
🧾 Item Details:
• Material: Cast metal, paint, glass reflectors
• Dimensions: 36" × 10"
• Era: 1920's
• Manufacturer: J.F. Bingham, Nashua, NH
📌 Condition:
Excellent display condition with all reflectors intact. Original paint with scattered surface wear and minimal scuffs. Sign shows minimal areas of light edge wear. Structurally sound with no cracks or breaks.
📍 Collector’s Note:
Bingham-made reflector signs...
Category
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
1950s Era Large Metal Letters
Located in Surrey, BC
only an "O" "l" x 2 left
Two sets of custom-made metal letters made for the Wilkinson steel plant in Vancouver for a new office in 1950. The company ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Signs
Materials
Metal
$875 / item
Antique 1900s Reis Men's Underwear Clothing Advertising Framed Paper Sign Poster
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare Reis of New York men's underwear printed advertising sign/poster dating from the early 1900's. This is in an old frame and under glass. Would have hung in a men's clothing store...
Category
Early 20th Century American Signs
Materials
Paper
Vintage Letter N, 1950s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage letter comes from the old advertising banner. It is made from dyed concrete. It weighs 6 kg.
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Signs
Materials
Concrete
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
Early 20th Century oversized English Trebor sweet shop trade sign.
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century oversized English Trebor sweet shop trade sign.
A wonderful example of massive scale, Trebor Barley Sugar & Fruit Centres sweet jars. Bea...
Category
1920s British Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal
Italian Pirelli Wrought Iron Advertising Trade Sign 1920
Located in Hastings, GB
Absolutely incredible advertising sign for an Italian garage, blacksmith made in forged and ornate wrought Iron. This sign was removed from a garage in Turin, Italy where it had hung since 1920, advertising the variety of services the garage carried out, as well as Pirelli tyres.
The sign is wonderfully weather beaten, with losses to the paint and sections of the advertising text. Overall the sign is in superb structural condition, with a couple of small fissures, which are barely noticeable.
A truly exceptional piece of antique signage...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Signs
Materials
Wrought Iron
Early Corona Beer Porcelain Advertising Sign
Located in Ferndale, MI
Early Corona beer man cave or restaurant porcelain advertising sign. As found.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Steel
Early 20th Century Double Sided Toleware French Dentists Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Double Sided Toleware French Dentists Trade Sign
An original untouched example of an early 20th Century toleware double sided Frenc...
Category
1910s French Late Victorian Vintage Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal
Red and White Graphic New York Bus Subway Destination Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Very large New York bus destination sign. Unusual in red. Very graphic. Bottom of roll was date stamped 1951. 7 1/2 feet tall.
Category
1950s American Steampunk Vintage Signs
Materials
Canvas
Early 20th Century English Shop Display Dummy Board
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Shop Display Dummy Board
A unique early 20th Century English hand-crafted shop display dummy board. In the form of a 1st World War “Squaddie” in Uniform made by Stening Signs of Catford” South London established in 1879. This huge display...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
Oversized Metal Key Trade Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive metal bit-key trade sign from the UK. Marked BOLTON, 1925. Great patina to metal. Well made and in very good condition. Cool oversized piece.
...
Category
1970s British Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
Grammy Museum Los Angeles Freeway Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Super cool Los Angeles freeway sign. 10.5 feet long and 3 feet tall. Metal sign, likely from 10 Freeway. Sign depicts the exit ramp for the GRAMMY MUSEUM,...
Category
Early 2000s American Signs
Materials
Steel
Orange 'BRIDGE OUT' Metal Highway Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Super cool vintage metal 'BRIDGE OUT' sign from the East Coast. Measures: 4 feet wide. Orange sign with black lettering. Bullet holes and road rash to sign.
Category
1970s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
19th Century Cobbler Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
A carved cobbler's boot-form trade sign, in old gold paint.
Carved in two pieces of pine, capped with lead,
circa 1870
Very good condition, measures: 14" x 9 ½”.
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Lead
Telephone Sign
Located in Round Top, TX
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
$945
Monumental Cobblers Boot Trade Sign
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Monumental Cobblers Boot Trade Sign.
Provenance: By Repute Crosby Cobblers - Liverpool Est 1841
Originally hung outside the cobblers in Crosby, Liverpool. Hand forged metal strap work and solid brass laces...
Category
Early 20th Century British Signs
Materials
Metal, Brass
Rare Engraved Glass on Metal Sign from a London Cigarette's Seller, circa 1900
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This rare engraved sign is made of glass on metal. This is a a very unusual piece from a London cigarette's seller. English. Circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s English Art Nouveau Antique Signs
Materials
Metal
$1,041 Sale Price
30% Off
Letter Painter Kvetoslav Dostal Shop Sign, circa 1900
Located in Wien, AT
This vintage sign comes from the shop of Prague letter painter Kvetoslav Dostal. It was probably manufactured circa 1900, as the wrought iron frame construction shows Art Nouveau inf...
Category
Late 19th Century Czech Arts and Crafts Antique Signs
Materials
Iron
18th Century Zinc Chapeau Bicorne Sign
Located in Brecht, BE
An item for the zinc collectioneur or someone who loves items that are quirky and rare to find.
This is a French enseigne/sign, from the very short period in French history "incroya...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Signs
Materials
Zinc
19th Century Large Apothecary Chemist Carboy Pharmacy Shop Trade Sign
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A 19th century hand blown glass chemist window display carboy. Used as a symbol of the pharmacy from the 17th century to the early 20th century.
A rare example with a hollow cut ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Signs
Materials
Blown Glass
Elkwood, Late 19th Century American Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
With carved gilt wood letters with mounted against a blue painted sand ground
American, c. 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
Musical Score for Norwegian Dances
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Antique musical score for norwegian dances. discovered in my sheet music folders.
ref. SN
Category
Early 20th Century Norwegian Other Signs
Materials
Paper
English Country (20th Century) painted and carved wall plaque of golf sign.
Located in Queens, NY
English Country (20th Century) painted and carved wall plaque of golf sign.
Category
20th Century British Country Signs
Materials
Wood
Monumental "Danish Designs" Wooden Advertising Sign
Located in Peabody, MA
Monumental 67" wide (5 1/2 feet) double-sided surfboard style advertising sign in painted wood with 1/2" raised wood lettering, for "Danish Designs", ca. 1960s. From a modern furnis...
Category
1960s Vintage Signs
Materials
Paint, Wood
Folk Art Sign-Maker's Sample Board in Original Paint
Located in Greenwich, CT
A Folk Art two-sided sign maker's sample board in original paint, one side having square color samples with various border treatments, each panel numbered (one through 25), the other...
Category
Late 18th Century English Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
No Loitering Street Sign, 1980s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage street sign that reads "No Loitering - Violators Subject to immediate Arrest". Red and white letters on a reflective white background. Goo...
Category
1980s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
Blue and Red Enamel Barbers Pole Shop Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Rare porcelain enamel barbers pole shop sign.
This is a very rare old sign, it is American in origin, we have the red and blue stripes wrapped around a White background, and at th...
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Enamel
1800s Skeleton Key Locksmith Trade Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is one of the best locksmith trade signs we have offered. It’s early and all handmade in iron with original paint. It's very well done and a wonderful piece of Folk Art.
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Iron
Neighborhood Watch Street Sign, 1980s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage street sign that reads "This is a Neighborhood Watch Community". Black letters on a reflective white background. Used to have red accents wh...
Category
1980s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
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
Iron Perpetual Motion Folk Art Texas Zoo
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This black and white painted iron perpetual motion object was said to have been used to market the zebra exhibition at the San Antonio Zoo. The zebras...
Category
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Vintage Swiss Two Sided Train Signal Sign
Located in San Diego, CA
Super cool and hard to find vintage Swiss two sided train signal sign, circa 1940s. The sign is made of metal and painted yellow with the number "5" in bl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Signs
Materials
Metal
$400 Sale Price
20% Off
Massive Hand Painted Varsity High School Track and Field Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Varsity track and field sign from the early 1970s. Hand painted red sign with yellow lettering. Horizontal wood slates to hold name cards of record hol...
Category
1970s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Arizona Wood Hiking Trail Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique vintage trailhead sign. 6.5 feet long and 1.5 feet tall. Wooden sign from Davenport/ Sears Loop Trail in Horseshoe dam, Arizona, a remote section of the Mazatzal's that sees little use. Sign indicates with arrows "SEARS TRAILHEAD 1/4," "DAVENPORT TRAILHEAD 2 1/2," and "SHEEP BRIDGE 10." Light brown background with white lettering and border. Small sticker on top left corner reads "The willful defacing or removal of forest service...
Category
1980s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Pair of Hand Carved Wood Silhouette Figures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Whimsical pair of wood silhouettes in the shape of a man and woman. Both life-sized. Both wearing cowboy hats. Great for a bar or placed outside against a wa...
Category
1970s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood
$345 Sale Price / set
52% Off
Vintage enamel fire sign, 1950s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Charming vintage enamel 'FIRE' sign mlounted on a wooden and metal base.
Its unclear if this was used by the fire brigade during interventions or if th...
Category
1950s American Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Enamel
Large Painted Decorative Wood And Metal “Etoile” Sign
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Decorative sign. In separate white painted metal capital letters with applied mirror fleur-de-lis motifs on the ends on a gray painted wood ground.
Dimensions: 74" L, 2" D, 12 1/...
Category
20th Century Hollywood Regency Signs
Materials
Metal
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
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
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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