Vintage French Cafe Sign

Antique and vintage signs are popular for business and personal use. There are authentic signs as well as reproductions available for anyone that wants to use them.

Personal collectors seek out antique and vintage signs. They have been made of high quality materials that have last many, many, many decades. Some are weathered and some are worn. This is because they were in use for a long time. Still the material is so strong they are still in good shape with some looked as good as they did when they were first made. These signs have a rich history starting in the last 1800s in Europe and moving to the United States. They were first made of porcelain enamel with many being strengthen with powdered glass then gaining strength through iron.

Antique and vintages signs are popular because of their looks, strength, but the history as well makes them valuable. These material are also made of tin as well as neon and wood which are each strong with beautiful design potential. When people see these signs displayed in a home they start discussions and leads to the history of the item. It can lead to many interesting conversations and the owners enjoy learning the history of each piece they purchase. These signs were used for many things including appliances, farm equipment, beverages and baking goods, just as some examples.

The process of making signs in the past included making a variety of colored layers and firing it. The signs were strong enough to be displayed outside as well as inside because it did well in the weather, even extreme temperatures. This durability left it to being a preferred way to make and display signs. The time came when these signs were melted for scrap during World War II. The need for the signs started to diminish in the 1950s.

Another popular antique and vintage signs, tin, that was painted and printed, yet not as strong as porcelain. They were also not rust proof. They were very popular in the 1920s. Then there are the neon signs that started in 1912. These signs have tubes that have neon gasses that glow when electrified. They were popular during the 1920 to 1930s, but expensive as well as easy to break. Neon signs were often found in bars, dealerships, hotels and restaurants. They were customized in the 1940s and 1950s presented advertising for products. This makes these antique and vintage signs doubly popular collection items. Not only do sign collectors what these signs, but so do those collecting various product items.

Antique and vintage signs can be a costly collectible hobby. It is because they are such high quality items with a rich history, but as history has shown many were destroyed. Even though these signs could still be used today many were used to help the war effort. Perhaps if these items had not been melted down decades ago there would be more available to collect and bring down the demand since they would be easier to find.

Reproductions are also popular and are inexpensive. A collector may not opt to purchase these items, but others find them popular. They could be used as decoration in stores and restaurants or even a person's home.