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.
The earliest designs were manufactured in late 19th century Europe from porcelain enamel. Each color of the the powdered glass was fused onto rolled iron and fired, with the designs stenciled on or silkscreened. Later on tin became the most common material used as it was cheaper, and by the 1920's was very popular. Once World War II came, many of both types were collected and melted down during scrap metal drives, that's why only a few remain.
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.
Unfortunately there are many dishonest sellers who have taken advantage of the popularity of these items by manufacturing and selling knock-offs at prices appropriate for real antiques. At first glance these imitations look genuine, but with more careful examination one can see the differences which set them apart from the authentic pieces.
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.
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.
With the increasing popularity of vintage signs for sale, the price of these items has also one up. Collectors may have to shop around in order to find a bargain. They can check out both regular and online auctions, antique dealers, and even estate and yard sales where people who don't know how much these are truly worth are selling them for a low price.
The earliest designs were manufactured in late 19th century Europe from porcelain enamel. Each color of the the powdered glass was fused onto rolled iron and fired, with the designs stenciled on or silkscreened. Later on tin became the most common material used as it was cheaper, and by the 1920's was very popular. Once World War II came, many of both types were collected and melted down during scrap metal drives, that's why only a few remain.
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.
Unfortunately there are many dishonest sellers who have taken advantage of the popularity of these items by manufacturing and selling knock-offs at prices appropriate for real antiques. At first glance these imitations look genuine, but with more careful examination one can see the differences which set them apart from the authentic pieces.
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.
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.
With the increasing popularity of vintage signs for sale, the price of these items has also one up. Collectors may have to shop around in order to find a bargain. They can check out both regular and online auctions, antique dealers, and even estate and yard sales where people who don't know how much these are truly worth are selling them for a low price.
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