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Signs For Sale
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
Hand Painted Antique Industrial Fairground Carnival Panel Sign, C.1930
Located in London, GB
A pair of large early 20th Century fairground panels. c.1930
Of large proportions. Possibly Irish, depicting racing scenes, from a fairground attraction. Hand painted and complete...
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Signs
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Early 20th Century Grey Whale Shop/Trade Sign
Located in Hastings, GB
'Thar She Blows' a fabulous rare shop/trade sign of great scale, hand made in riveted zinc and hand painted. This superb piece sits on an iron stand and would have spun outside of a ...
Category
1920s French Folk Art Vintage Signs
Materials
Zinc
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
'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
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
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
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
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
'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
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
Hobart Kitchen Machines Mid Century Neon Sign
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very nice vintage neon sign advertising the Hobart Food Machine company . Founded in 1897 making motors in Troy Ohio and turning the use of their motors into running food machines ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Steel
English Pub Sign, "Nag's Head"
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub sign (two-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 disp...
Category
20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Metal and Wood Store Prop Produce Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage metal and wooden hand painted store prop produce sign with goo wear. the sign is large and extremely visible from a distance. The colors are soft ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Adirondack Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal
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
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
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 Double Sided Metal French Librairie Papeterie Sign c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original double-sided metal French librairie (bookshop) papeterie (stationary store) sign.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1930-1940.
MATERIALS AND TEC...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Metal
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
Early 20th Century Lighted Figural Copper Apothecary Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
Antique figural copper trade sign.
This piece takes the form of an antique mortar and pestle, one of the most important tools used by practitioners of medicine for centuries. This t...
Category
Early 20th Century American Signs
Materials
Copper
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
Vintage Metal Optician Shop Trade Sign
Located in Linkebeek, BE
vintage Metal Optician Shop Trade Sign
Shop Industrial decor - Optician sign Antique
Large yellow metal DOUBLE-SIDED eyeglasses sign with a metal wall br...
Category
Mid-20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Metal
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
Double Sided Hanging No Smoking Please Gas Station Garage Enamel Sign
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Original 1930s double-sided enamel Stop Your Motor Please No Smoking Gas Station Garage Sign.
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Signs
Materials
Enamel
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.