Vintage Signed
People collect all kinds of things these days. From cars to salt and pepper shakers, there seems to be a collector for everything. Vintage signs are no exception, they have been collected by people for decades and there is a huge market these days for vintage signs. There are many factors in signs that people collect, some people collect specific company brand signs and some collect only iron, tin or wooden signs. Some have large collections that consist of nothing but vintage road signs. The possibilities are endless when it comes to vintage signs. Years ago it was the only way to advertise products. This article includes a brief overview of the history of signage then follows with some tips on acquiring vintage signs for your self.
In North America, most outdoor signs made between 1890 and 1950 were made out of porcelain enamel. This involved a base of heavily rolled iron, die cut to the desired shape, coated with many layers of powdered glass and then kiln fired. Obviously this process made the outdoor signs durable and weather resistant. This process originated in Germany and was brought over to North America in the later 19th century. North Americans experimented with bright, bold colors and interesting new designs for advertising. Early designs were stenciled; however they switched to silkscreen designs and changed the iron base to tin for price and ease of production. It is almost impossible to find a porcelain enamel sign in good condition these days. Finding one could cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars. Their rareness is caused by many factors; many were vandalized, discarded or melted down for the metal during the Second World War
After which signs were made of tin and other materials and painted with enamel paint. You come across these vintage types of signs frequently today but will be hard pressed to find one which isn’t rusted, scratched or distressed. Collectors should be aware of distressed reproductions. Vintage signs are stamped with the date they were manufactured, but research and information on vintage signs is always best to discern between real and forgery. So go to your local library, get on the internet or go to bookstores. As with anything collected, you will be better off knowing exactly what you are looking for and what you are not.
Tips for new collectors
1- One of the best resources for obtaining a wide selection of vintage signs is shopping online. Whether it is an auction on EBay, or directly from an antique store, you are sure to find a varied selection for your tastes at the click of a mouse.
2- Garage sales can be a goldmine of vintage signs. There still exist people out there who do not know what the values of their signs are. Alternately, second hand and thrift stores are also a great place to find some treasures. These places are usually a bit savvier, so be on your toes and know what the prices are before going in to barter.
3- Last but certainly not least, go to a roadside diner, old fashioned soda fountain or restaurant when traveling by car. Even if there is no price on the old signs hanging on the wall for décor, you can always ask and make an offer. You would be surprised to find that they might sell it.
About the Author:
The author recommends
http://riverbendsigns
for original
business signs
and beautiful
cottage signs
. Also see
weaving instruction
for helpful ideas.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Collecting Vintage Signs
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VINTAGE SIGNED 3D HORSE PAPERWEIGHT FIGURINE M COX NR $6.99 |
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Vintage Relief Plaque Sacred Heart Of Jesus Signed $4.95 |
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Vintage SIGNED TRIFARI GOLD Tear Drop Earrings c1950 $25.00 |
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Vintage Very Colorful Earrings – Signed Kramer $6.55 |
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Vintage Handcrafted Blue Black Drip Pottery Vase Signed $29.99 |
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Vintage Paper Dreams SIGNED Deco Lady Pin Brooch Syme $19.99 |
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vintage diamond ring brooch pin AJC signed ~sparkles $1.40 |
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Vintage Signed Spurs by Ricardo, Nickel Silver $32.00 |
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VINTAGE LUMURED CAVIAR BEADED HANDBAG 1960s MOD Signed $35.00 |
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ANTIQUE Vintage M Z AUSTRIA PLATE SIGNED BY AB $22.99 |
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Vintage 6 Brooch All Signed Lot Faux Pearls Rhinestone $36.00 |
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Vintage signed “CCI” necklace bracelet earrings set $29.99 |
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VINTAGE SIGNED CORO RADISH BROOCH PIN $69.00 |
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vtg MODERN MEXICO signed HMS 900 SILVER MENS cufflinks $12.50 |
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VINTAGE CHARMING PINK ROSES CHIC SHABBY PAINTING SIGNED $5.99 |
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VTG Costume Jewelry Signed Icing Torsade Necklace $9.99 |
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Vintage Costume Amethyst and Gold Bracelet&Pin Signed $16.50 |
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Vintage Signed Rhinestone Sterling clip Earrings! $17.52 |
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1940’s Vintage Sterling Mexican Bracelet signed $275.00 |
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VINTAGE WIEDERSEIM SIGNED ART POSTCARD 3 CATS BIRDIE $19.99 |
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Vintage Paper Dreams SIGNED Deco Lady Pin Brooch JILL $19.99 |
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Vintage Necklace signed “Maya”;Very Old;Good Cond. $9.99 |
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OLD VINTAGE CAR BADGE SAINT CHRISTOPHER SIGNED -DAMAGED $8.00 |
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Vintage Erte Alphabet Suite Letter P Signed Initial $1,500.00 |
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Y.A. TITTLE SIGNED 8X10 49ERS PIC VINTAGE NFL HOF QB $24.95 |
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Mostly Vintage Brooches/Pins Some RS Some Signed 10 $12.30 |
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VINTAGE FENTON SATIN HANDPAINTED CAT ARTIST SIGNED $11.10 |
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Vintage Signed Swarovski Pierced Earrings $45.00 |
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Vintage Sandor Signed Pin $8.90 |
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VINTAGE PUPPY DOG GOLD ENAMEL STONES STICK PIN SIGNED $5.99 |
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LEO GARIBALDI SIGNED 8X10 WRESTLING PROMO PIC VINTAGE $9.99 |
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JACK BRISCO SIGNED VINTAGE NWA 8X10 PIC RIP WWF WWE HOF $39.99 |
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VINTAGE SIGNED KREISLER USA BRASS BRACELET AS IS ! $0.99 |
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Signed Vintage Jewelry EMBER NAVETTE Ring Sz Adjustable $8.95 |
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Vintage Signed Clip ER – Hattie – Karu – Lisner – + $8.23 |
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VINTAGE AVON SIGNED SW KENT FLORAL DRESS SCARF $4.99 |
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Vintage Valerie Skidmore handmade Signed Jesus Pendant $29.99 |
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Vintage Bergere Signed Chain Link Necklace $29.99 |
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TURQUOISE & SILVER RING VINTAGE, NOT SIGNED SZ 7 $40.00 |
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Vintage 1956 Sun Rubber Co. Squeaker Doll signed $10.00 |
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Don Ross (d.96) Auto Signed Vintage Mounted Cut JSA $9.99 |
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Ray Poole (d.06) Auto Signed Vintage Mounted Cut JSA $9.99 |
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Hal Peck (d.95) Auto Signed Vintage Mounted Cut JSA $19.99 |
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Max West (d.71) Auto Signed Vintage Mounted Cut JSA $49.99 |
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Bob Purkey (d.08) Auto Signed Vintage Mounted Cut JSA $9.99 |
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Bob Miller (d.93) Auto Signed Vintage Mounted Cut JSA $19.99 |
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Al Smith (d.77) Auto Signed Vintage Mounted Cut JSA $19.99 |
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VINTAGE WHITING&DAVIS PENDENT/EARRINGS SIGNED BEAUTIFUL $49.99 |
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Bill Zuber (d.82) Auto Signed Vintage Mounted Cut JSA $9.99 |
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Emil Yde (d.68) Auto Signed Vintage Mounted Cut JSA $99.99 |
