Flea Market Find: Vintage Signs
Get the skinny on finding a vintage sign just right for your space
Flea markets are filled with vintage signs and advertisements of all kinds. These little bits of history are popular in design because of the sense of nostalgia they evoke — a particular brand or logo might carry special value for a particular buyer. Personally, I would pay a pretty penny for a Hershey’s Chocolate of Pennsylvania sign, since my beloved grandfather worked there for many years. (But to score the best price, I wouldn’t tell the seller of my attachment, since flea market shopping is all about negotiation.) Read on to discover different types of signs and tips for finding the right one for you.
Fresh from the farm stand, signs like this can be found up and down the highways of small towns.
Expect to pay: Depending on the vendor, you can snag a farm stand sign for $50 to $250.
Expect to pay: Depending on the vendor, you can snag a farm stand sign for $50 to $250.
A cool cafe sign provides a splash of saturated color in this living room. A sign with neon lighting can be a bit tricky to come by, and you’ll find yourself spending a few hundred dollars for one, depending on where you shop. If you find one at a good price and in good condition, consider scooping it up.
Fun fact: The first neon signs were introduced in 1912.
Fun fact: The first neon signs were introduced in 1912.
Wood market signs are often harder to find than metal shop signs because they’re more likely to have decomposed or been destroyed by fire over the years. Accordingly, they tend to command more.
Tip: Check regularly, even every weekend, to see what new items local vendors are offering. The more you go, the more you increase your odds of finding that perfect item.
Tip: Check regularly, even every weekend, to see what new items local vendors are offering. The more you go, the more you increase your odds of finding that perfect item.
An old hotel vacancy sign provides the driving color of this room. These commonly collected signs saved travelers time in the days before online booking.
Tip: If you love the color of the sign, make sure the paint isn’t chipping off too much; otherwise you may end up with bare wood.
Tip: If you love the color of the sign, make sure the paint isn’t chipping off too much; otherwise you may end up with bare wood.
Advertisements like this would attract travelers to local bed and breakfasts. In towns popular with tourists, they were a beacon of hope for those looking to stay the night. Today they make the perfect wall decoration in a guest room.
Fun fact: Tin signs became popular in the 1920s and were painted or screen-printed. They’re more prone to rust than enameled signs.
Fun fact: Tin signs became popular in the 1920s and were painted or screen-printed. They’re more prone to rust than enameled signs.
A rusted vintage lake sign may make you nostalgic for summers spent by the water. Often it’s the worn and weathered features that make a piece special.
Expect to pay: I’ve seen these go for anywhere from $200 to $400. This is a good example of an item that may hold sentimental value for one person but not another.
Expect to pay: I’ve seen these go for anywhere from $200 to $400. This is a good example of an item that may hold sentimental value for one person but not another.
Small signage makes a more subtle impact. It’s also a great way to test the vintage-sign waters.
Tip: Dirt can be cleaned off old signs, but rust is a little harder, so if you’ve spotted a rustier example, buy it only if you love the overall look it has, knowing you might not be able to restore it.
Tip: Dirt can be cleaned off old signs, but rust is a little harder, so if you’ve spotted a rustier example, buy it only if you love the overall look it has, knowing you might not be able to restore it.
Tip: While vintage signs and art can be found at flea markets, sometimes the best source is estate sales. They often offer entire collections, whereas flea market vendors are usually more than happy to split collections up. You can often get a better deal when buying a collection too.
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Tip: Value tends to be higher for signs that are visually appealing. This clean, vibrant and rust-free look is highly coveted.