Trade Signs
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Wood
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Signs
Plywood
Early 20th Century Italian Signs
Plastic, Rubber, Plaster
Antique 19th Century American Adirondack Animal Sculptures
Iron
2010s British Nautical Objects
Wood
2010s British Nautical Objects
Wood
2010s British Nautical Objects
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Antique Early 1900s French Victorian Animal Sculptures
Zinc
Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Pine
Vintage 1980s American Signs
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Signs
Glass, Wood
20th Century American Signs
Metal
Antique Early 19th Century English Folk Art Signs
Metal
Antique Mid-19th Century Signs
Early 20th Century American Signs
Pine
Antique 19th Century American Signs
Pine
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Wood
20th Century American Signs
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Signs
20th Century American Signs
Vintage 1960s American Signs
Steel
Late 20th Century American Signs
Antique Late 19th Century Folk Art Signs
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Signs
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Folk Art Signs
Wood
Early 20th Century Folk Art Signs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Signs
20th Century American Signs
Antique 19th Century French Signs
Metal
Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Signs
Tin
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Signs
Sheet Metal
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Iron, Tin
Antique 19th Century British Rustic Signs
Pine
Antique 1880s American Folk Art Signs
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Tin
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Iron
Antique 19th Century Signs
Pine
20th Century American Signs
Wood, Plaster, Paint
Early 20th Century American Signs
Pine
Late 20th Century American Signs
Gold Leaf
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Pine
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Sheet Metal
Antique Late 18th Century French Signs
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Signs
Zinc
Late 20th Century American Signs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Primitive Signs
Antique 1880s French Signs
Zinc
Vintage 1930s American Carnival Art
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Primitive Signs
Steel
Antique 19th Century American Signs
20th Century French Signs
Vintage 1910s British Rustic Signs
Pine
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia
Metal, Iron
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Trade Signs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Trade Signs?
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.
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