Authentic vintage signs have become a popular collector's item in recent years. These charming antiques make wonderful decorations and conversation pieces for one's home or business and are appreciated for their historical value. When looking to buy vintage signs for sale the buyer should keep the following points in mind.
Originating in 1880's Europe, the earliest models were fashioned from porcelain enamel. Each distinct color layer of the powdered glass was attached to a rolled iron placard and then heat fired, and the designs were then applied using a silkscreen or stencil. Tin was more durable and took over as the most common material used, and was predominant by the 1920's. Many of both types of signage were lost during World War II, during the scrap metal drives, so few genuine pieces still exist.
By the 1920's and 1930's neon signage began to emerge as a more common style. These were constructed using hollow tubes of glass which contained neon or another inert gas, and then a current was run through, causing the gas to illuminate. Both small businesses and large companies alike had these designs made, even though they are more fragile and expensive to build.
There are also the cardboard ads for many products and events, most of which date from the mid-twentieth century, as well as the special promotional pieces which were used to hang on shop doors. Some people like to collect any kind of old signage, whereas other narrow the scope of their collecting down to a particular industry.
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.
It's important for the collector to recognize these fakes, as to avoid getting duped. Often the material they are made from is not one which used in the period the sign supposedly dates from. If they state a price of the item being advertised, this too can indicate a replica, as this was not the normal practice to display this information. When a sign has aged naturally there is likely to be chips, rust, pitting and the like here and there, not just a little rusty around the edges. If the buyer sees several copies of one sign, this is usually the biggest hint that they are fakes.
There are also characteristics indicative of a genuine antique. They were manufactured in standard sizes, and usually the paintwork will show brush strokes. The lettering was normally drawn by hand or applied using a hand cut silk screen, so there are typically noticeable irregularities. They also show age marks in an uneven pattern, unlike that which can be duplicated with certain chemicals. The genuine signs were also magnetic, whereas newer duplicates are usually 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.
Originating in 1880's Europe, the earliest models were fashioned from porcelain enamel. Each distinct color layer of the powdered glass was attached to a rolled iron placard and then heat fired, and the designs were then applied using a silkscreen or stencil. Tin was more durable and took over as the most common material used, and was predominant by the 1920's. Many of both types of signage were lost during World War II, during the scrap metal drives, so few genuine pieces still exist.
By the 1920's and 1930's neon signage began to emerge as a more common style. These were constructed using hollow tubes of glass which contained neon or another inert gas, and then a current was run through, causing the gas to illuminate. Both small businesses and large companies alike had these designs made, even though they are more fragile and expensive to build.
There are also the cardboard ads for many products and events, most of which date from the mid-twentieth century, as well as the special promotional pieces which were used to hang on shop doors. Some people like to collect any kind of old signage, whereas other narrow the scope of their collecting down to a particular industry.
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.
It's important for the collector to recognize these fakes, as to avoid getting duped. Often the material they are made from is not one which used in the period the sign supposedly dates from. If they state a price of the item being advertised, this too can indicate a replica, as this was not the normal practice to display this information. When a sign has aged naturally there is likely to be chips, rust, pitting and the like here and there, not just a little rusty around the edges. If the buyer sees several copies of one sign, this is usually the biggest hint that they are fakes.
There are also characteristics indicative of a genuine antique. They were manufactured in standard sizes, and usually the paintwork will show brush strokes. The lettering was normally drawn by hand or applied using a hand cut silk screen, so there are typically noticeable irregularities. They also show age marks in an uneven pattern, unlike that which can be duplicated with certain chemicals. The genuine signs were also magnetic, whereas newer duplicates are usually 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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