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Huge 1800s Store Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
"ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES" in raised gold wood letters. L.W. Cleveland Company is painted on a gold banner. What I
Category
Antique 19th Century American Primitive Signs
$4,200
Large Rare Collectible Cast Metal Woolworth 5
10 Cent Store Sign Numbers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
. Made in the 1920s, these numbers letters have become very hard to find. They became available when F. W
Category
Vintage 1920s North American Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Los Angeles City Limit Freeway Sign, USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Angeles. Reflective letters and border as well as a protective plastic sheet over the face. Stamped
Category
2010s American Contemporary Art
Materials
Aluminum
English Pub Sign - A Cricket Wicket (Butlers)
Located in Austin, TX
letters.
In the game of cricket, the wicket is one of the two sets of three stumps and two
Category
20th Century English Decorative Art
French Vintage Enamel Advertising
Publicity Sign FREE SHIPPING
Located in Trensacq, FR
future events or products yet to come. Glossy red enamelled metal with AVENIR in white capital letters
Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Jeweled Leaded Glass Apothecary Trade Sign
By Ross Johnson Drug Co
Located in Peekskill, NY
letters. The center has impressive sink work with multicolored cut-glass jewels. The rest is pebbled glass
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Signs
Jeweled Leaded Glass Apothecary Trade Sign
By Ross Johnson Drug Co
Located in Peekskill, NY
letters. The center has impressive sink work with multicolored cut-glass jewels. The rest is pebbled glass
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Signs
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Rainbow Trout
BAIT
Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
captivating imagery, the beautifully stylized letters spell out the word "BAIT," adding a touch of vintage
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal
Los Angeles 101 Freeway Sign, 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
recogonizable roads in Southern California, and one of the busiest. Reflective white letters and border with a
Category
1990s American Contemporary Art
Materials
Aluminum
Los Angeles 101 Freeway Sign, 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
roads in Southern California, and one of the busiest. Reflective white letters and border with a
Category
1990s American Contemporary Art
Materials
Aluminum
Deep Sea Fishing Hand Painted Double Sided Sign Maine c. 1960
Located in Camden, ME
gray shadowing to each of the red letters.
The name Casey of Capt. Casey has been over-painted so
Category
Vintage 1960s American Folk Art Signs
Pair of Reverse Glass Painted French Shop Signs Pottery
Located in Southampton, GB
, crusty painted frames and back panel, pressed copper letters and foxing to the reverse glass paint
Category
Antique 19th Century French Signs
Materials
Glass, Wood
Italian modern white and orange plexiglass lighted sign "Tabacchi", 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
orange plexiglass depths. The letters are fixed on a white lacquered metal bar.
1970s.
Good condition, it
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Signs
Materials
Metal
c.1930 Original English Vitreous Enamel Automobilia Signage
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
black letters on an orange field. This sign would be a great decoration in the garage, or in a man's
Category
Vintage 1930s English Decorative Art
Painted And Gilded Dining Room Sign From A Steamboat On The Fall River Line
Located in York County, PA
attractive. The whimsical gilded letters are expertly hand-carved, as are the center drop with its carved
Category
Antique 19th Century Signs
Phrygian Hat Makers Sign, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
Gessler. A cap with the word liberty inscribed in gold letters was used in England as a symbol of
Category
Antique 1880s French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Very Big HI Letters
Located in Seattle, WA
Lifesize, freestanding letters. Large and sturdy enough to stand outside to greet your friends as
Category
Mid-20th Century American More Furniture and Collectibles
$4,200
Vintage Movie Marquee Sheet Metal Letters Metropolitan
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic vintage movie marquee channel letters "Metropolitan" from Midwestern movie theater. Heavy
Category
Vintage 1930s American Steampunk Signs
19th Century L M Letters or Andirons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fun pair of funky letter andirons were found in Santa Fe but more the likely from a ranch in the Midwest. These andirons are handmade and more then likely one of a kind. The pai...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Adirondack Signs
Materials
Iron
"E A T" Set of Decorative Vintage Industrial Letters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
EAT: Set of Decorative Vintage Industrial Letters. Dimensions below are for the largest A letter.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Signs
Materials
Steel
Ladies ‘Dame’ Mid Century Restroom Sign from South of France Made in Metal
Located in London, GB
dimensional letters made from metal box cut and riveted and welded on to a base plate in Original painted
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Painted Wood Folk Art Showroom Trade Sign
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
American Folk Art trade sign with hand-carved "Showroom" letters and an arrow. The letters and
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
Late 19th Century Pianos Trade American Folk Art Trade Sign 8 Feet Long
Located in Santa Monica, CA
piece. Looks great on a stark white wall. Black with grey letters on one side and black with gold
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Handmade Neon "HOUSE" Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage neon sign "HOUSE" handcut, metal channel letters with hand bent neon glass. Size: 41.5
Category
Vintage 1980s American Signs
Materials
Metal
Victorian Bakers Painted Sign
Located in Culver City, CA
Gilded letters read: “Machine Steam Bakery”. Original from a bakery in Chipping Sodbury.
Category
Antique 1860s English Victorian Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage US ARMY Military Reservation Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare vintage sign from the US Army military reservation. Steel with black letters. Good vintage
Category
Vintage 1960s American Signs
Materials
Steel
Vintage Neon Queen Sign
Located in San Francisco, CA
A monumental metal sign with fully functional neon letters that spell "Queen." The sign was
Category
Vintage 1960s American Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal, Steel
$4,200
Victorian Era Men
s Clothing Store Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
surface. Faded gold letters and numbers on a faded cobalt background.
Category
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Massive
YIELD
Road Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive 'YIELD' road sign. Red steel sign with red letters and white triangle. Cool piece of
Category
Vintage 1970s American Signs
Materials
Steel
Large 20th Century Butchers Display Panel
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
gilded and silver gilt letters, and a wonderful cockerel. Later frame.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Signs
Materials
Wood
Monumental Vintage Hand Painted Antiques Sign from Old Maine Barn
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A fantastic striking hand painted huge horizontal sign that reads Antiques in gold letters against
Category
Vintage 1930s North American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Live Studio Audience APPLAUSE Light Up Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
light weight fabric making up the bright orange letters. Newly rewired. Cool piece of wall art.
Category
Vintage 1980s American Signs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Art Deco "Deal" Brass Type from Rockefeller Center, USA 1940s
Located in New York, NY
design established when Rockefeller Center was built. The four letters are mounted on a cast iron base.
Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
19th Century American Trade Sign
Crook
, Medina, NY
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
with 10" x 12" giltwood letters spelling 'Crook'
Inscribed on back " (obliterated) Medina N.Y." Refer
Category
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
Original Painted on Wood Sams Kosher Deli Sign
By Sam
s Kosher Deli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
deli in New York & Los Angeles . The sign is hand made from wood and free hand stencil letters .
Category
Vintage 1930s American Signs
19th Century Original Black Sand Painted "Office" Sign from Maine
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky trade sign is hand made with all original black sand paint and original gilded letters
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Adirondack Signs
Materials
Wood
Antique French Swiss Cow
s Milk Advertising Sign
Located in Rio Vista, CA
background and bright white letters. Whimsical images of young cow, boy, and a pig drinking from a big bottle
Category
20th Century Swiss Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Solid Bronze and Enamel Theatre Sign, circa 1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
This is an original solid bronze sign with white enamel letters.
CREATOR Unknown
Category
Early 20th Century Rustic Signs
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Antique Carved and Painted Trade Sign
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Black painted wood with rounded ends and carved and gilt letters- S.D. Maddock.
Condition: Good
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Original Vintage Ok Used Cars Neon Sign, Large Measuring
Located in Buffalo, NY
some point, other then that all original neon, letters measure 8 inches high, OK 19 inches in diameter
Category
20th Century American Art Deco Signs
Materials
Blown Glass
Hand-Painted Tourist Trade Sign, circa 1920s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Tourists.” The sign is double sided, with hand-painted letters on heavy board, within molding frame. In
Category
Vintage 1920s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Large Vintage Lighted Sign
Located in Palm Springs, CA
with 'Media' in white script outlined in black. The letters have a total of 50 wired bulb sockets
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Antique Painted Black Smith and Farrier Sign
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Long wood sign painted black with yellow letters- Wm. Ronan, Horse Shoeing, Jobbing and Repairing
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage French Jewelry Store Front Sign "Bijoux" Painted Metal, circa 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
-out letters featuring the word "BIJOUX" (French for jewels). Fantastic original distressed
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Metal
Cheeky Vintage "Institute for Wayward Young Women" Window
Located in Chicago, IL
signage is hand painted and applied on the reverse side of the glass in gold leaf letters. "Making Bad
Category
Mid-20th Century American Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood
Mid-Century République Francais Metal Flag Holder c.1960s
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Original République Francais metal flag holder with embossed letters and stars.
Shown with
Category
Mid-20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Metal
Standford University Pennant Banner, circa 1920-1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage university pennant banner with sewn letters and tassels.
CREATOR A & Co. New York
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Felt
Early 20th Century French Iron Street Sign Grande Rue
Located in Fayetteville, AR
painted letters, and translates to Big Street in English. Its edges are defined by a raised border and two
Category
Early 20th Century French Signs
Materials
Iron
Large Antique Wooden "Keep Maine Green" Sign c.1940-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A hand painted wood sign with applied letters "Keep Maine Green".
CREATOR Unknown
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Wood, Plastic
Circa 1900 Black Gray and White Burial Vault Cemetery Trade Sign Folk Art
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Graphic black, white and gray c. 1900 trade sign. Professional hand letters. Excellent typography
Category
Antique 1890s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
"Washing Prohibited Around Wells" Sign
Located in York County, PA
white-painted letters on a on a two-inch this pine board, has an old, black, and heavily oxidized
Category
Vintage 1930s Signs
Vintage Painted and Gilt Lettered Greenwich Sign
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A solid mahogany board with a gentle curve having deeply carved and gilt letters spelling the town
Category
20th Century American American Classical Signs
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Radio Broadcasting On Air Sign c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
cast iron letters
Shown with a life size hand model for scale.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Steel
Large Bronze Bank Safe Deposit Department Sign
Located in Milford, NH
early 20th century, with cut out letters which read “Safe Deposit Department,” backed by a gold sheet of
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Signs
Materials
Bronze
Large Vintage Metal Double Sided Original Hand Painted and Gold Leaf Trade Sign
Located in Vero Beach, FL
painted on metal and the letters are gold leafed on both sides. A solid wood frame and fantastic hardware
Category
Early 20th Century American American Classical Architectural Elements
Materials
Metal, Gold Leaf
California Highway Sign, 1940s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
letters are a stark contrast to the patina'd metal backing they emerge from. Terribly relative content and
Category
Vintage 1940s American Contemporary Art
Materials
Steel
Antique Mercantile "Dry Goods" Sign
Located in Wilton, CT
previous use. The letters were hand-carved by a skilled artisan. It had been given touch ups when it was in
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American American Craftsman Signs
Materials
Pine
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Vintage Metal Letters For Sale on 1stDibs
Find a variety of vintage metal letters available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, wood and steel, all vintage metal letters available were constructed with great care. There are all kinds of vintage metal letters available, from those produced as long ago as the 19th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Vintage metal letters bearing folk art or industrial hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Vintage metal letters have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Ross Johnson Drug Co, Breitling and Claude Neon Federal Sign Company are consistently popular.
How Much are Vintage Metal Letters?
Prices for vintage metal letters can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, vintage metal letters begin at $85 and can go as high as $15,000, while the average can fetch as much as $1,250.
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 Vintage Metal Letters
Prices for most vintage metal letters 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 vintage metal letters and other quality items on our site. Learn more about becoming a 1stdibs seller.
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