I have a nice collection of trade signs that we have aquired over the last 30 years..They consist of cow and horse heads, fisk sign, a large pistol, base guitar, large frying pan and many more..Most are figural and very old……I will get some photos of these hopefully soon….…

animated snake charmer

Snake Charmer (2)

animated snake charmer that is working great.....motor turn in bottom of unit makes snake go up and down....i animated snake charmer the guys rocks forward and back....rather large at approx. 4' x 7'.....

punched tin light up.Central Shoes reverse lit

Central shoes (3)

original label on back dated 1913 ?? very close date, its in a different location, and i'm going by memeory... however this is near mint and very early, everything original early teens.......

Stop sign with large jewels

STOP jeweled SIGN

this wood stop sign is very old with original large jewels, excellent condition

Chemist sign "SOLD"

CHEMIST light up SIGN sold

this sign is 2 sided with glass lenses and each side is a different color...probably from the late 1800's "SOLD"

Souvenir or Cigar store Indian Brave Trade Sign

Cigar or Souveneir Store Indian Brave trade sign

This Cigar or Souvenir store life size Indian is very old and came out of GranRapids Minnesota....I have a post card of it in the 1950's, however the story was it was carved for a store in the Wisconsin Dells much earlier and was purchased from a Souvenir store in Grand Rapids and used as a trade sign........Its very heavy wood, no cracks and is very old...It was repainted many years ago as it sat outside for display... "In My Collection"

Advertising Novelties Salesman Sample Grange

Grange Salesman Sample

In its original box this is from Advertising Novelties Newark N.J.....from the Whtehead & Hoag Company Badges, Buttons, Flags & Advertising Novelties

Fancy wood Barber Pole.....Vintage Signs, Old Signs, Antique Signs

Barber Pole “WOOD”

This is about as fancy as a Barber Pole gets..Approx 9' tall with glass globes that says Barber Shop"In My Collection".............Vintage Signs, Old Signs, Antique Signs

Barber Pole porcelain.....Vintage Signs, Old Signs, Antique Signs

Porcelain Barber Pole

approx. 7-8' tall this porcelain barber pole is very nice condition.....Vintage Signs, Old Signs, Antique Signs....."In My Collection"

Liquor Store Sign, The Jug ..from Boston

The Jug Liquor Store Sign

2 sided Jug Liquor Shop sign,Has a Metal Can, Wood faces & 2 dimensional wood letters that stand 2" from the face

Trade signs: Vintage signage pieces that marked the history by Darryl Tilden, Roadrelics

 

Probably one of the most common and certainly one of the oldest types of sings out there are trade signs. As commerce expanded, the usage of trade signs slowly developed into what we are familiar with today – modern day trade signs of all kinds. From early dark and middle ages, till now, trade signs slowly gained their popularity and increased the reputation of owners. The design changed too, but what remained the same in every era is the predominance of unique symbols and logos typical for every era. These early Vintage Trade signs represented business’s like Dentists, Boot-makers, Pawn shops, Meat Shops, Millinery buildings, Horse Traders. Also Glasses & Optician Stores, Doctor Offices, Glove Makers, Shoe Makers, Cafe’s, Hotels, Billiard Parlors, Pharmacies, Hardware Stores, Grocery Stores. Also Gun, Pistol, Rifles Ammunition,  Veterinarians. Furthermore Barber Shops, Pretzel Stores, Candy Stores, Hats, Lunch, Restaurants, Flowers, Beauty Shops, Clothing Stores, Bicycle Shops, Pork, Clock & Watch Makers. Also Padlock, Blacksmith, Taverns, Furs, Drug Stores, Books, Cigars,  and many more. Some of the history of Museum’s  can be seen here Poole History of Trade Signs      Roadside America  is another good source. Also  Pinterest  has a great selection of old photographs of these types of signs  Brooklyn Museum

 

Well designed and eye-catching trade signs meant a lot for the business owners.

A Good sign usually meant good advertising, and therefore more income and increased reputation for those who offered different kinds of services. The importance of these signs can be found in the importance of all trades we cant imagine our lives without. That is why throughout history we can come across many different trade signs; tailors, pharmacists, dentists, butchers, bakers, blacksmiths, brewers, shoemakers, perfume makers, gunsmiths, locksmiths, pottery makers, watchmakers, fishermen signs, to different kinds of specialized shops, like specialised coffee and tea making shops, DIY shops, carpenters, painters, builders, rug makers, jewelry makers and many more .

 

Furthermore materials used for these signs varied so we have many rustic wood signs, carefully hand-carved, usually with very detailed design. Also  we also see wrought iron and guild signs, as well as gold leafing trade signs, varying in size and shape. Also Guild signs especially played an important role in the history of trade signs.  we can find many iron guild signs in the shape of a boot, scissors, fish, sewing machine, coffee, plate, watch, pig, bottle and many others.  The iron played a great role in the history of trade signs. Also the invention of the printing press changed the process of making trade signs forever. As society developed wood, iron, expansion of colors usage in the process of making glass. Also printing, carving and hand carving combined with modern technologies, adding plastic and neon lights to the fine design of these signs.

Modern trade signs include variations in style

Nowadays, we have not only the mixture of the materials mentioned, but modern trade signs include variations in style, dating from different eras, so some signs are purposefully vintage, while some are distinctively modern and minimalistic. The trade signs reached their peak in the second half of 20th century, with advanced graphic design and improved printing. With the invention of neon lights and PVC, trade signs became what we know them to be today.

 

Nowadays we can still see trade signs out on the streets.  These signs in their more traditional form are rare to find. Therefore they are an important part of every vintage signs collection.