In recent years, antique signs have become a hot collector's item. Coveted for their nostalgic charm, these classic pieces are great for decorating one's home or business. These general guidelines will be useful to those who are looking to buy vintage signs for sale.
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.
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.
A real antique usually has slight variations in its lettering, as these were normally hand drawn or printed with a hand cut silk screen. There will also generally be some visible brush strokes, and the signs will be a standard size. Marks of aging will be uneven, evenly distributed damage may easily have been produced using chemicals to make it appear so. Real old designs are metal and will draw a magnet, newer ones are often made from aluminum and will not.
As the demand for vintage signs for sale has increased, so have their prices. The buyer must know where to look for a bargain. Sometimes these turn up at estate sales and even yard sales, as not everyone is aware of the true value of these items. Antique auctions, online auctions, and antique stores are other potential marketplaces.
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.
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.
A real antique usually has slight variations in its lettering, as these were normally hand drawn or printed with a hand cut silk screen. There will also generally be some visible brush strokes, and the signs will be a standard size. Marks of aging will be uneven, evenly distributed damage may easily have been produced using chemicals to make it appear so. Real old designs are metal and will draw a magnet, newer ones are often made from aluminum and will not.
As the demand for vintage signs for sale has increased, so have their prices. The buyer must know where to look for a bargain. Sometimes these turn up at estate sales and even yard sales, as not everyone is aware of the true value of these items. Antique auctions, online auctions, and antique stores are other potential marketplaces.
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