Signs & Banners

The antique signs reflect the designs and advertising trends of different historical eras regarding their materials, forms, and styles. In addition to serving as a window into the past, antique signs highlight the development of commercial visual culture over time. Vintage signs or old signs with collectible, historic, or aesthetic value belong to a specific period, have a certain kind of craftsmanship, design, or relate to a specific product, business, or advertising campaign. Over time, these signs have evolved into highly collectible items mainly used for marketing or informational purposes. The materials that old signs were made from included wood, tin, cardboard, porcelain (also called enamel), light, or neon, and they were used for promoting everything from sodas and oils to household appliances and farm equipment.

Tin Signs: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tin signs served as outdoor advertisements and were made from steel or tin sheets. Their production cost was relatively low, and they were produced in large quantities with colorful graphics and designs. Various themes can be featured on antique tin signs, such as transportation, local businesses, and product advertisements.

Enamel Signs: Also called porcelain signs, enamel signs are produced by fusing powders of glass enamel with metal. Durability and vibrant colors are two of their best features. Letters, illustrations, and company logos are commonly seen on antique enamel signs. Brands, products, and businesses often use them for advertising.

Wooden Signs: Vintage wooden signs usually feature carved or painted designs and serve many functions, such as direction signs, information signs, or shop signs. This type of sign usually consists of illustrations, decorative lettering, and raised elements. Weathered patinas can enhance the vintage charm of wooden signs.

Neon Signs: In the early 20th century, neon signs were popularized by glass tubes filled with noble gases, such as neon, that produce bright colors when electrified. Neon signs were used for advertising and storefront displays because of their captivating glow.

There are also vintage lighted signs illuminated with incandescent bulbs, including gasoline signs, advertising clocks, and Hamm's Sceneorama signs. Vintage cardboard signs also caught the attention of some collectors during the mid-20th century and were used for advertising a variety of consumer goods, as well as events such as the circus. Additionally, there are many formats of vintage signs popular with collectors, such as authentic door pulls and pushes. Vintage and antique signs for sale depicting travel, farms, food, automobiles, tobacco, beer, and railroads are highly sought after. There is a great deal of interest in West Coast vintage signs. Old advertising and signage appeal to collectors, historians, vintage enthusiasts, and those who enjoy nostalgia. These pieces can serve as decorative elements in homes, businesses, and restaurants, or be included in advertising and design collections. 

Banners are flags or cloths with symbols, logos, slogans, or other messages on them. The banner is used in a variety of circumstances to convey messages. With Bidsquare’s online auction, you can choose from a huge collection of vintage banners for sale, including banners for trade shows and presentation reinforcement, as well as those used as entrance signage, showcase specials, announcements, directions, advertisements, success stories, etc.