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Signs For Sale
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
Chinese Signboard with Gold Coloured Calligraphy from Hardwood, C. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
With a wood coloured base this signboard (crafted entirely from wood) highlights 3 large gold coloured Chinese Characters. The signboard dates to the early 20th Century and has aged ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Vintage Reflective Truck Road Sign
Located in Burton, TX
This Vintage Reflective Road Sign depicts a black truck with a yellow background. Once used as a street sign to inform motorist of trucks entering and exiting the highway, this sign ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Signs
Materials
Metal
Unique 19th Century French Shop Sign with a Grouse
Located in Buisson, FR
Brilliant and unique shop-sign.
A painted grouse made out of sheet iron or zinc that is placed within a hand forged iron frame that is made to hang.
France circa 1850-1900
Weathered...
Category
19th Century French Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Metal
Double Sided Vintage Marlboro Light Up Cigarette Pack, 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is the perfect Americana statement piece to add interest to any interior. This incredible vintage advertising light up box by Marlboro is eye-catching showpiece. These lights we...
Category
1990s American Signs
Materials
Steel
Funky Vintage Israeli Ice Cream Commercial , Hand Painted On Metal
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful Judaica hand painting on metal of early commercial of the first ice cream company that was establish in the state of Israel, you could see early ice cream products With the names , one of a kind example of early business commercial of the Strauss company .
Richard and Hilde Strauss, German...
Category
20th Century Israeli Signs
Materials
Metal, Tin
Rare Domed Wiener Werkstaette Vienna Art Nouveau Enameled Advertising Sign
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare, domed, black and white enameled Art Nouveau advertising sign for Wiener Werkstätte, founded by Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser and Fritz ...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Signs
Materials
Metal, Enamel, Iron
Vintage Hand Painted French Patisserie Sign c.1930-1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Vintage French wooden sign for "Boulangerie Pattisserie, Pain cuit au feu de bois." (Wood fire baked bread). Framed in steel.
CR...
Category
Early 20th Century French Industrial Signs
Materials
Metal
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
Enameled Steel Sign For "Tourist Fruit Room"
Located in Nantucket, MA
Great Vintage Enameled Steel Trade Sign For "Tourist Fruit Room." Of course! This is a period enameled steel plaque from the RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, 1946 - 1969, marking the refrigerate...
Category
Mid-20th Century Signs
Materials
Steel
Antique Industrial Art Deco Brass Glass 'Reception' Illuminated Sign. C.1920
Located in London, GB
A large illuminated glass and brass directional sign made in England. c.1920.
Brass frame housing the internal illuminations above polished plate glass ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Signs
Materials
Brass
Unusual Diminutive 1920's Hand Painted Light -Up reversible DRUGS / CAFE sign.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Diminutive 1920's Hand Painted Light -Up reversible DRUGS / CAFE sign. Great little sign, salvaged from west side of Buffalo Ny Drug Store , Deli..Appears to be hand crafted,...
Category
1920s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Illuminated Letter E , 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 body and a white plexiglass cover....
Category
1980s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
English Pub Sign, "Free House - The Lord Nelson"
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub sign (one-sided) featuring a portrait painting of Lord Nelson in full regalia, entitled: Free House - The Lord Nelson.
A free house in Great Britain is a pu...
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
English Pub Sign, "The Ship"
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub sign (one-sided) featuring a painting of a British brigantine or two-mast sailing ship featuring flags with St. George's cross, entitled: The Ship.
A very f...
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Wall Mounted Store Prop Coffee Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage store front sheet metal prop sign with finger pointing the reader in the direction of coffee. This is a hand painted sign with great wear and patina.
Category
1940s American Adirondack Vintage Signs
Materials
Sheet 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
1940's Goodyear Tires Porcelain Neon Light Sign
Located in Alpha, NJ
Very rare and beautiful example of a 1940's Goodyear Tires Neon light porcelain advertisement sign. Few occasional chips to porcelain finish and ass...
Category
1940s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Steel
Old School 1940's / 50's NEON "MOTEL" Sign..Classic Font
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic vintage NEON "MOTEL" sign salvaged from a motel in Niagara Falls Canada,, Retains original finish & patina,, New transformer, metal replaced to bottom of can,, (see photo)
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
19th Century French Cast Iron Butcher's Shop Trade Sign in the Form of a Cow
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French cast iron butcher shop trade sign retaining old paint and cast in low relief in the form of a steer wearing a tasseled blanket and with it's head turned. The blanked cast with...
Category
Late 19th Century French Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Iron
Vintage Original Painted California Gold Rush Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th Century Original painted Gold Rush Sign.
Category
20th Century American Adirondack Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
'Donuts Cafe' Neon Sign, 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely vintage neon sign that reads Donuts Cafe, perfect for adding a nostalgic touch to your space. Taken down from a Los Angeles restaurant on Hollywood Blvd. This little sign fe...
Category
1990s North American Industrial Signs
Materials
Glass, Acrylic
Large Vintage Fish Store Trade Sign Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking large hanging fish sculpture, once used as a fish store trade sign. Material is painted hard composite, weighs about 25 lbs. Beautiful glass eyes. Heavy hanging chain inc...
Category
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Composition
Large Late 19th or Early 20th Century Zinc Locksmith Trade Sign
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Impressive Late 19th or Early 20th Century Zinc Locksmith Trade Sign in the form of a Large full bodied key. Found in its original finish. Remarkable Condition. France Circa 1900
Category
Early 20th Century French Signs
Materials
Zinc
Vintage American Folk Art Showroom Trade Sign
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming vintage wooden trade sign for Showroom. The sign was original painted in with green and white colors and have been through a later restoration when a thick lacquer that has ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Boucherie Chevaline Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Boucherie Chevaline Trade Sign
A hand crafted Boucherie Chevaline, zinc gold leaf hand beaten butchers trade sign. A highly decorative wall hanging in untouched condition with or...
Category
Early 20th Century French Victorian Signs
Materials
Zinc
Think Big Giant Matches and Matchbox
By Think Big
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic set of oversized matches and matchbox, made by Think Big NYC in 1984. Set contains all 8 original matches. Box slides open as a normal matchbox...
Category
1980s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Plastic, Paper, Felt, Wood, Paint
English Pub Sign, "Worth Brewery - The Cricketer's Arms"
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub sign (one-sided) featuring a painting of a cricket player with bat and ball, entitled: Worth Brewery - The Cricketer's Arms.
A very fine example of vintage ...
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
Early Danish Double Sided Neon Bakery Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
When we first found this neon sign our restorer was excited to work on it. He believes that the sign was a handmade and one-off being produced by a skilled metal fabricator. It was most likely used outside a small shop in Denmark. This is a traditional sign used for a Danish Bakery...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Industrial Signs
Materials
Steel
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
1920's -30's Hand Painted "DRUGS" wood sign
Located in Buffalo, NY
1920's -30's Hand Painted "DRUGS" wood sign ... Great old sign,, Tons of character,, Retains original finish / patina..
Category
1920s American Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
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
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
English Pub Sign, "Benskins (Puss in Boots)"
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub sign (one-sided) featuring a painting of a cat playing a violin fiddle - from the beloved fairy tale Puss In Boots - in the light of a streetlamp at night, e...
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
19th Century Gold Giltwood Carved Letters William Trade Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Classic 19th century American wood trade sign with chunky hand carved and gold painted letters. Ready to display.
Category
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Signs
Materials
Wood
French 18th Century Forged Iron Folk Art Baroque Tavern Sign
Located in Buisson, FR
Important and beautiful 18th century Tavern sign depicting a rearing white horse with a crowned coat of arms on its back.
Most likely from the Alsace, France due to the German influe...
Category
18th Century French Baroque Antique Signs
Materials
Iron
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
Vintage Porcelain Corona Beer Sign
Located in San Diego, CA
Super cool and hard to find vintage porcelain Corona beer sign, circa 1970s. The sign is actually a former tabletop at a roadside cantina in Mexico. The di...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Signs
Materials
Metal
Vintage French Christian Dior Advertising Statue, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful and intruiging 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
1960s California Prison Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique California state prison sign that reads "KEEP OUT CALIFORNIA STATE PROPERTY". Yellow background with bold black print. Scuffs, scratches and rust gi...
Category
1960s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Steel
Reverse Painted Glass Gilt Single Sided Sign Plaque Early 20th Century
Located in London, GB
An incredible and highly original early 20th century hand painted trade sign.
Presumably painted by someone that sells signs? Reverse painte...
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Signs
Materials
Glass
Vintage French Christian Dior Advertising Statue, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful and intruiging 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
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
Woods Hole Golf Club Antique Sign from Cape Cod
Located in Sandwich, MA
Antique sign from the Woods Hole Golf Club in Falmouth, MA circa 1900. Includes original wrought iron bracket meant for mounting on a square post. Great original surface. Also reads ...
Category
1890s American Antique Signs
Materials
Wrought Iron
Vintage Crime Watch Street Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique vintage street sign that reads "Citizens Crime Watch Neighborhood" Green lettering on a reflective silver background. Great vintage condition.
Category
1970s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Metal
Antique Art Deco Brass Illuminated Advertising Cinema Gentlemen Flambosign Sign
Located in Sale, GB
- A fabulous Art Deco illuminated Gentlemen 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
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
Vintage Heavy Cast Iron Dog Lawn Sign
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Vintage Heavy Cast Iron Dog Lawn Sign. Made in iron with great patina
Category
1950s American Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Large 19th Century 51-Inch Wooden Locksmith Key Trade Sign
Located in New York, NY
This 51-inch long locksmith key trade sign from the 19th century is a remarkable piece of craftsmanship, embodying the era's artisanal pride. Made from Painted wood, it showcases a w...
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
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
'COME ON IN' Neon Sign , 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom neon sign with aluminum channel cut letters. COME ON IN, lights up with green neon gas. Just under 6 feet long. Welcoming sign and fun piece of...
Category
1990s American Signs
Materials
Aluminum
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
1981 California Highway Lodging Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive vintage California lodging sign. Large blue sign with white lettering and white trim. Letters and trim have reflective pieces. Great coloring and condition. Fantastic piece o...
Category
1980s American Vintage Signs
Materials
Steel
1970's ice cream sign
Located in Brecht, BE
Vibrant colors for this 1970's ice cream sign, found in the South of Spain
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Signs
Materials
Polyester
Vintage Illuminated Letter N, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated letter N was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a black metal bod...
Category
1970s Italian Industrial Vintage Signs
Materials
Iron
Vintage Mid Century Hand Painted Wooden Luncheonette Hot Coffee Diner Sign
Located in Milford, NH
A vintage polychrome hand painted luncheonette or diner sign on plywood featuring hot coffee, sandwiches, and tonics, signed lower right Cooley-Alton, with an additional support boar...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Signs
Materials
Plywood
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
Antique Art Deco Brass Illuminated Advertising Cinema Ladies Flambosign Sign
Located in Sale, GB
- A fabulous Art Deco illuminated Ladies 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
Antique Vintage French Country House Private Property Wall Sign
Located in Stockbridge, GB
Antique French Private Property Sign
A fantastic original sign with “Private Property Do Not Enter” written in French.
It has a great aged patina with some wear to the original blu...
Category
Mid-20th Century English French Provincial Signs
Materials
Cut 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.