A well-placed vintage sign can elevate a space with a sense of time and place. Whether they serve as eye-catching accent pieces or focal points, large antique signs can make a bold statement in the kitchen, wet bar, or foyer, and they can also add a funky twist to rec rooms or home offices. Signs that have clever sayings or which feature a unique font and design are sure to spark conversation among guests and friends.

Antique signs are often characterized by their use of color and the way in which they were designed to grab attention and draw the viewer in. They often have a sense of nostalgia and can whisk the mind to memories of 5-cent Coke floats after school, or to afternoons spent fishing. This is what makes them so popular with collectors and pickers alike.

Traditionally, large antique signs were made out of materials such as tin, zinc, or porcelain. These early forms of advertising were mainly used by tradesmen to sell their products or services. Cobblers, blacksmiths and bakers for instance all had their own hand formed metal or wood carved sign with an illustration of their trade. Later as printing technology improved and literacy rates rose, lettered signs started to appear, these were usually shaped into the wording or logo of the product being sold.

These were then hung outside the establishment to advertise. Many of these were painted on the sides and could be found in shops, pubs & taverns across the country. Occasionally they were even swung on posts and hung from above to attract passers by.

In the 1900s, tin became the main material for these types of signs as they were durable enough to withstand the elements and were cheap to produce. The signs were then produced in various shapes and sizes, often with a die cut and embossed logo. This led to more sophisticated designs such as the carved wooden croissant boulangerie sign seen above, or this vintage Eldredge beer tin sign with its colorful imagery.

The popularity of these old and classic signs has continued to grow over the years. Many are now considered treasures for their beauty and value and are highly sought after. They range in size and subject matter from brand signage to functional warning or safety signs.

To incorporate a vintage sign into your home design, consider hanging a single piece in an entranceway or foyer. Alternatively, hang several signs together to create a custom gallery wall in your living area or rec room. To really lean into the theme, pair these with other salvaged decor items like an industrial style metal chair or a set of vintage tool boxes repurposed as storage. For those who love a more subtle approach, consider adding a sign from a place where tin was once manufactured, such as this tin sign from Coshocton, Ohio. It measures 20″ x 24″. This is an original die cut Redman Tobacco sign which is in remarkably good condition and dates from the 1950s.