Guide To Buying Vintage Signs For Sale
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.
First made from porcelain enamel in late 19th century Europe, these earliest designs had their designs stenciled or silkscreened on and featured separate colors of powdered glass which were fired onto a rolled iron slab. Tin later replaced porcelain as the predominate material used, and was most popular by the 1920's. During World War II many tin and porcelain signs were gathered up and melted down for scrap metal, which explains why there are not a lot left.
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.
Some people also collect mid 20th century cardboard advertising posters for assorted products, special events and such, and other unique kinds of signage like those made to be displayed on doors. Many collectors focus their collections on signs from a specific industry, whereas others have a collection of many different types.
The vintage sign collector must be aware that there are many fakes out there being sold as authentic by dishonest sellers. These mass-produced replicas may look genuine, but with closer inspection usually one can spot the differences which set them apart from the real ones.
With so many imposters being sold, the buyer must know how to distinguish them from the genuine ones. Sometimes the type of material used, would not have been used at the time it claims to be from. A price listed, is another indication the piece is fake, as these details were not usually shown. A truly aged sign will show rust, chips, pitting and such throughout, not just on the edges, which is a trick some sellers use to make a new sign look weathered. If there are many copies of the same sign for sale, this is another hint that it is fake.
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.
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.
First made from porcelain enamel in late 19th century Europe, these earliest designs had their designs stenciled or silkscreened on and featured separate colors of powdered glass which were fired onto a rolled iron slab. Tin later replaced porcelain as the predominate material used, and was most popular by the 1920's. During World War II many tin and porcelain signs were gathered up and melted down for scrap metal, which explains why there are not a lot left.
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.
Some people also collect mid 20th century cardboard advertising posters for assorted products, special events and such, and other unique kinds of signage like those made to be displayed on doors. Many collectors focus their collections on signs from a specific industry, whereas others have a collection of many different types.
The vintage sign collector must be aware that there are many fakes out there being sold as authentic by dishonest sellers. These mass-produced replicas may look genuine, but with closer inspection usually one can spot the differences which set them apart from the real ones.
With so many imposters being sold, the buyer must know how to distinguish them from the genuine ones. Sometimes the type of material used, would not have been used at the time it claims to be from. A price listed, is another indication the piece is fake, as these details were not usually shown. A truly aged sign will show rust, chips, pitting and such throughout, not just on the edges, which is a trick some sellers use to make a new sign look weathered. If there are many copies of the same sign for sale, this is another hint that it is fake.
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.
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.
About the Author:
Unique vintage signs for sale can be found on one of the Web's high ranking websites at www.roadrelics.com. To place your order, visit this page on http://www.roadrelics.com.
posted by Vittoria @ September 14, 2013
0 Comments
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home