The market for antique advertising signage of various types has markedly increased in recent years. People who appreciate nostalgia love these quaint, colorful pieces as decorations for their homes and businesses. When interested in purchasing these vintage signs for sale the collector will find this guide useful.
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.
Neon signage was seen more prevalently by the 1920's and 1930's. They were made from hollow glass tubes filled with neon or another inert gas with a voltage running through them to illuminate them. Although fragile and costly to manufacture, they continued to be made both for small businesses and large commercial industries.
Cardboard signage from the mid-1900's is also a collector's item. These were mostly used to advertise various products and events. There are also some other special designs such as those made for doors which are also in demand by collectors. Some concentrate on collecting a specific type of sign from one industry in particular, while others will collect any kind.
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.
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.
Neon signage was seen more prevalently by the 1920's and 1930's. They were made from hollow glass tubes filled with neon or another inert gas with a voltage running through them to illuminate them. Although fragile and costly to manufacture, they continued to be made both for small businesses and large commercial industries.
Cardboard signage from the mid-1900's is also a collector's item. These were mostly used to advertise various products and events. There are also some other special designs such as those made for doors which are also in demand by collectors. Some concentrate on collecting a specific type of sign from one industry in particular, while others will collect any kind.
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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