Information For Collectors About Purchasing Vintage Signs For Sale

By Dawn Williams


In recent years, antique signs have become a hot collector's item. Coveted for their nostalgic charm, these classic pieces are great for decorating one's home or business. These general guidelines will be useful to those who are looking to buy vintage signs for sale.

First made from porcelain enamel in late 19th century Europe, these earliest designs had their designs stenciled or silkscreened on and featured separate colors of powdered glass which were fired onto a rolled iron slab. Tin later replaced porcelain as the predominate material used, and was most popular by the 1920's. During World War II many tin and porcelain signs were gathered up and melted down for scrap metal, which explains why there are not a lot left.

Another style of sign which was very popular by the twenties and thirties were the glowing neon designs. These delicate and rather costly models were still very popular with many businesses both large and small. They feature a series of hollow glass tubes bent in a particular manner which and filled with neon or another inert gas which lights up when the voltage reacts with it.

Some people also collect mid 20th century cardboard advertising posters for assorted products, special events and such, and other unique kinds of signage like those made to be displayed on doors. Many collectors focus their collections on signs from a specific industry, whereas others have a collection of many different types.

One thing the collector must look out for are the many imitations on the market. They resemble the originals but upon close examination show no real signs of aging which one could normally expect of true antiques. They are mass-produced and worth very little, but are often sold as authentic for high prices by unscrupulous sellers.

Different clues can indicate a piece which is not really an antique. The material it is made from may be one which was not used at the time. If the sign shows the price of an item, this is another tip-off, as sellers generally did not post these details. The manner in which it has aged is also something to note, it should show various pits, chip, and rust spots all around, not on the edges alone. Finally, if there are several copies being sold, this is another red flag.

A real antique usually has slight variations in its lettering, as these were normally hand drawn or printed with a hand cut silk screen. There will also generally be some visible brush strokes, and the signs will be a standard size. Marks of aging will be uneven, evenly distributed damage may easily have been produced using chemicals to make it appear so. Real old designs are metal and will draw a magnet, newer ones are often made from aluminum and will not.

Vintage signs for sale can be quite pricey items. However it is possible to find the occasional bargain. Buyers can check out auctions and online auctions, antique stores, and also estate or garage sales. Some people do not know the worth of these pieces and will sell them for cheap.




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