Trade Signs
to
62
687
285
971
27
1
282
40
38
13
12
5
5
4
1
1
1
7
333
627
28
281
239
20
17
9
36
62
46
55
18
9
2
430
375
133
73
66
564
530
329
149
144
998
998
998
2
2
2
2
2
Sort By
19th Century Tobacconist’s Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
English carved and polychrome decorated wood tobacconist’s trade sign in the form of a “Turk
Category
Antique 19th Century British Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Wiedemann
s Fine Beer Trade Sign
Located in Coeur d
Alene, ID
Wiedemann's Fine beer - The Leader Trade sign with three Canada geese on oval walnut plaque
Category
Vintage 1940s American Antiquities
Materials
Wood
Vintage School Crossing Safety Guard Folk Art Trade Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Original hand painted school safety crossing guard sign. Sheet metal and wood. Great original
Category
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal
Six Foot "Osterville Seafood" Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Carved wood tuna fish trade sign with "Osterville Seafood" in hand painted lettering of gold
Category
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Anthony
s Pier 4 Carved Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved Atlantc tuna trade sign with handpainted distressed finish. Lettering reads
Category
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Trident Sushi Bar Carved Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved Atlantc tuna trade sign with handpainted distressed finish. Lettering reads
Category
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Carved Flounder Trade Sign "Fresh Fish"
Located in Norwell, MA
Hand carved flounder trade sign with painted lettering for "Fresh Fish". With red lettering
Category
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Carved Flounder Trade Sign "Fish
Chips"
Located in Norwell, MA
Hand carved and painted "Get Hooked Fish & Chips" trade sign with a subtle white pickled finish and
Category
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Edgartown Seafood Carved Flounder Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Charming trade sign of a carved flounder with painted blue lettering for "Edgartown Seafood" with a
Category
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Six Foot "Fresh Fish" Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved fish trade sign. The Atlantic mackerel is hand-carved with gills, fins, tail, eyes
Category
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Harvey
s Boat Yard Carved Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved mackerel trade sign with hand painted distressed finish with deeply carved scales
Category
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
19thc Stag Trade Sign In Original Mustard Paint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing original mustard painted sheet iron stag /deer trade sign was found in Lancaster
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Adirondack Weathervanes
Materials
Iron
$1,996 Sale Price
20% Off
"Health Chiropractic, " Rare Art Deco Metal Trade Sign for Chiropractor
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This classic example of trade signage featuring a nude male angel figure with outspread wings was
Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Signs
Materials
Aluminum
$1,350 Sale Price
25% Off
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
Antique Mid-19th Century English Signs
Materials
Blown Glass
Carved and Painted Tuna Fish Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Expertly carved trade sign reminiscent of those that used to hand in the large waterfront fish
Category
2010s British Nautical Objects
Materials
Wood
Six Foot Menemsha Fish Market Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved fish trade sign. The Atlantic mackerel is hand-carved with gills, fins, tail, eyes
Category
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
19th Century Cast Iron Shoemaker’s Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
19th century cast iron shoemaker’s trade sign
A highly decorative example of a late 19th century
Category
Antique 1880s French Early Victorian Decorative Art
Materials
Wrought Iron
Samuel Robb Tobacco Trade Sign Princess
Located in Coeur d
Alene, ID
Samuel Robb tobacco trade sign Indian princess (1851-1928). Carved and polychrome painted wood
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
"The Big Tuna" Six Foot Carved Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved Atlantic tuna wood trade sign with lettering for "The Big Tuna" sushi bar. Letters
Category
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Circa 1890 Hardware Store Wood Trade Sign Carved Smaltz Black and Gold Paint
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Exceptional late 19th century hand carved letters with black and Gold paint and black smaltz background. Excellent typography. Great wall art. Simple and bold.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Trade Sign Depicting a Huge Skimmer Ladle, France, 1900
Located in Milan, IT
Outdoor trade sign of a kitchen tools store, for advertising. The sign depicts a huge skimmer ladle
Category
Early 20th Century Antiquities
Materials
Iron
Cigar or Tobacco Shop Trade Sign, Carving of an Indian Chief
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Cigar or Tobacco Shop Trade Sign, Carving of an Indian Chief
This charming and very rare piece
Category
Vintage 1920s Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Walnut
Cast Iron Double Sided Watchmaker Jeweler Trade Sign Mirror
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Early 20th century gilded cast iron trade sign repurposed into a beveled mirror. Originally the
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Wall Mirrors
Materials
Iron
Samuel Robb Carved Tobacciana Trade Sign
Located in Coeur d
Alene, ID
Tobacciana trade sign carved by Samuel Robb, New York, Circa 1885. Figure holds a knife and bundle
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Objects
Materials
Wood
18th or 19th Century French Ship Chandler
s Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
18th or 19th century French ship chandler's trade sign, circa 1800, an oval pine double sided sign
Category
Antique 1790s French Folk Art Nautical Objects
Materials
Pine
Carved Fish Trade Sign for "Beach House Inn, Brant Point"
Located in Norwell, MA
Hand carved flounder trade sign with painted lettering for "Beach House Inn, Brant Point". With
Category
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Life Size Auto Mechanic Truck Stop Menu Board Trade Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Life Size Auto Mechanic Truck Stop Menu Board Trade Sign
A charming and rare piece, a life size
Category
Vintage 1970s Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Fiberglass
Carved Tuna Fish Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved big eye tuna with painted decoration. 'Washington St. Fish and Oyster Co.' of Boston in blue paint. Distressed finish. Carved gills, fins, tail, eyes, and snout. Fitt...
Category
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Exquisite Early 20th Century French Hand Lettering Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
We are proud to offer an exquisite early 20th century French hand lettering trade sign. This is
Category
Vintage 1920s French Victorian Paintings
Materials
Canvas
French Large Size Mid-19th Century Zinc Clock Trade Sign on Custom Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French large size clock trade sign from the mid-19th century depicts an oversized pocket watch
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Clocks
Materials
Iron, Zinc
Six Foot Carved Fish Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot Atlantic tuna with painted finish. 'Fresh Fish' is painted in red block letters on its right side. Distressed finish. Fitted with two pieces of iron chain. Awesome look.
We...
Category
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
American Oval Timber Trade Sign with Two Masted Ship and Rope Boarder. C. 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
American oval hand carved timber trade sign with a centered two masted ship, rope border, upper
Category
Antique 1850s American American Empire Nautical Objects
Materials
Rope, Wood, Paint
19th Century Trade Sign Clothing Wood Double Sided Wooden Hudson Valley NY
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Take a look at this fantastic double sided early 19th or late 18th century wooden trade sign with
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century American Primitive Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Vintage Thomas Walker
Sons Nautical Trade Sign with Ship Log Instrument
By Thomas Walker
Son Ltd. 1
Located in Morristown, NJ
A vintage trade sign from the esteemed Thomas Walker & Sons Ltd, renowned makers of ship’s logs and
Category
Vintage 1950s English Folk Art Nautical Objects
Materials
Metal
Harvey
s Boat Rental Carved Flounder Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
"Harvey's Boat Rentals, Quincy, Flounder Capital" is painted on this carved flounder. Details include carved scales, fins, tail, eyes, mouth, etc. Fitted with two iron hanging chains...
Category
2010s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Trade sign for a wine shop: three bottles with french label wine, France 1950.
Located in Milan, IT
A trade sign for the window of a wine shop, depicting three bottles with the label of French wines
Category
Vintage 1950s French Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Fruitwood, Lacquer
Folk Art Advertising IXL Creamery, 1944, Hand Carved Milk Cow Prize/ Trade Sign
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Folk Art Advertising IXL Creamery, 1944, Hand Carved Milk Cow Prize/Trade Sign, Artist Signed, W
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Metal
Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster, Trade Advertising Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Yellow Peril”
A Fantastic Large piece, this superb 3D trade sign is made in wood, a fantastic larger
Category
Vintage 1930s Folk Art Signs
Materials
Plywood
Antique Early 20th C Hanging Trade Shop Sign "Antiques" Star of David Solomon
Located in Lowestoft, GB
Hanging double sided trade sign, sheet metal with a black ground and gilt lettering. Two pretty
Category
Early 20th Century English Signs
Materials
Metal
20th Century, Original Painted Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This original painted black and white trade sign reads Reserved for district. This cool one sided
Category
20th Century American Country Signs
Materials
Wood
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th Century Pharmacy Sign
DRUGS
Painted on a Single Board
Located in Nantucket, MA
American folk art trade sign from an apothecary or pharmacy with the word 'DRUGS' in black paint
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine, Paint
French Hand-forged Blacksmith Sign
Located in London, England
Beautifully crafted blacksmith trade sign.
Hand-forged and riveted, not welded.
A seriously
Category
Vintage 1950s French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
$1,014 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Clam Bake Sign, circa 1960s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Clam Bake Sign, circa 1960s, a hand painted wooden trade sign for Clam Bakes. A classic and
Category
Vintage 1960s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
Unintentionally Whimsical Lobster Pound Sign, circa 1970
Located in Nantucket, MA
trade sign for a lobster pound. I love the idea of advertising where lobsters can park!
The sign
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
Giant Wood Early 20th Century Hand Painted Americana Barber Shop Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large and chunky Americana! Fantastic and original Barber Shop trade sign in the shape of a barber
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Lady Blessingtons Sailors Donation Momento Plaque
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc Repro trade sign from New England with a weather protector varnish for bad weather
Category
Late 20th Century American Adirondack Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Category
Mid-20th Century Signs
Materials
Steel
Folk Art Giant Metal Scissors Industrial Store Display Sign, circa 1950
By Travail Francais
Located in Atlanta, GA
for a barber or hair salon. It is possible that the sign was initially used as a trade sign for a
Category
Vintage 1950s French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Impressive Huge 19th Century Pawnbroker Folk Art Sign with Three Spheres Symbol
Located in Lowestoft, GB
An impressive rare and monumental in scale folk art pawnbroker trade sign with its original trio of
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Signs
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th Century Regency Hand Blown Chemist Pharmacy Apothecary Display Carboy Sign
Located in Lowestoft, GB
originally used as early trade signs for pharmacy's prior to when the majority of the population couldn't
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Signs
Materials
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
$1,233 Sale Price
25% Off
1940s Native American Trading Post Wooden Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1940s Native American wooden painted trading post sign. Colors are vibrant. This is what paint
Category
Vintage 1940s American Adirondack Signs
Materials
Wood
$1,480 Sale Price
20% Off
Cigars Store / Trade Folk Art Wooden Carved Sign. c 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
American Folk art wooden "CIGARS" sign from the 1920's.
Great old Store Trade sign. Wood cut to
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Large Hand Painted Double Sided Arrow "Radio Trade In" Folk Art Trade/Store Sign
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Hand Painted, Double Sided Arrow "Special" Radio Trade In sale,,,,Folk Art Trade/Store Sign
Category
Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Masonite, Paint
Early 20th century double sided English chemist sign
Located in London, GB
silver illuminated text, this early 20th century example of an English chemist trade sign would have hung
Category
Vintage 1930s British Late Victorian Signs
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century Double Sided French Pharmacy Metal Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Double Sided French Pharmacy Metal Sign
A rare double sided pharmacy trade
Category
Vintage 1920s Early Victorian Signs
Materials
Metal
Late 19th Century Folk Art "BOOT
Cobbler
s Trade Show / SHOP Sign / Sculpture
Located in Buffalo, NY
Late 19th Century Folk Art "BOOT' Cobbler's Trade Show OR sHOP Sign / Sculpture . aLL Hand made
Category
Antique 1890s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Copper
19th Century Oversized Huge Folk Art Full Leather Trade Show Sign Balmoral Boot
Located in Lowestoft, GB
/trade show when the balmoral boot was made popular after it was created for Prince Albert in 1857.
The
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Folk Art Signs
Materials
Leather
- 1
- ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Trade Signs", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.
Trade Signs For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are several options of trade signs available for sale. The range of distinct trade signs — often made from wood, metal and iron — can elevate any home. Trade signs have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. folk art, Victorian and industrial trade signs are consistently popular styles. Many trade signs are appealing in their simplicity, but Bernard Gloekler Co., Coca Cola Bottling Co. and Keil Company produced popular trade signs that are worth a look.
How Much are Trade Signs?
Prices for trade signs start at $1 and top out at $80,000 with the average selling for $1,976.
Finding the Right Signs for You
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.
Questions About Trade Signs
Prices for most trade signs on 1stdibs are negotiable. You’ll see a "Make an Offer" button on the item details page, indicating that the seller is willing to consider a lower price. It’s not uncommon for customers to get 15–25% off the list price after negotiating. See our tips for negotiating like a pro.
Only experienced, professional sellers who have applied and been thoroughly vetted by our team of experts can sell trade signs and other quality items on our site. Learn more about becoming a 1stdibs seller.
The 1stdibs Buyer Protection Guarantee provides coverage for qualified purchases in the unlikely event that the item arrives not as described or is damaged. We’ll work with you and the seller to find a resolution, ensuring your satisfaction. View details
We have partnerships with the world's best shipping providers to facilitate seamless and fully-insured delivery from the seller's location directly to you, wherever you are in the world. Our logistics team is comprised of dedicated members who arrange all the details with our partners, servicing and supporting all shipments. Learn more about shipping on 1stdibs.
For your convenience, we offer multiple payment methods, including all major credit cards and PayPal. For many purchases we also offer financing options or wire transfer. Learn more about payment options on 1stdibs.
Read More
A Giant Wedding Cake Has Us Looking at Portuguese Tiles in a New Light
At Waddesdon Manor, artist Joana Vasconcelos has installed a three-tiered patisserie inspired by the narrative tile work of her homeland. We take a look at the cake sculpture and how Portuguese tiles have been used in architecture from the 17th century to today.
Why Jules Chéret Was the King of the Modern Poster
The streets of fin-de-siècle Paris were set aglow with colorful poster ads, thanks to the printing techniques invented by Jules Chéret. Now, the Milwaukee Art Museum is celebrating this undersung talent in America's first solo show dedicated his exuberant works.
Why the American Flag Has Had So Many Different Star Patterns
Expert Jeff Bridgman explains the history and meaning behind the twinkling constellations that have graced Old Glory.
Peggy Guggenheim Loved Modernism, but She Also Collected Tribal Art
The iconoclastic style setter displayed African and Oceanic art, as well as works by indigenous peoples of the Americas, alongside pieces by such major modernists as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.
The 13-Star American Flag Had More Variations Than You’d Think
Perfect for July 4th weekend, a new show at Philadelphia's Museum of the American Revolution displays an array of antique red, white and blue flags.
Tramp Art, America’s Most Misunderstood Art Form, Is Trending in Interiors
Designers are beginning to see this enigmatic form of folk art in a whole new light.