Old advertising signs are treasured by collectors because they capture a specific time and place, often revealing a company’s history through their design, layout and color. These relics of the past have a charm that is difficult to duplicate with modern technology, and are an ideal addition to any living space, home bar or country retreat.

Signs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and were made from different materials, including wood, tin, cardboard, porcelain (also called enamel) and light or neon. They were used to promote everything from sodas and cars to household appliances and farm equipment. Porcelain signs are a particular favorite with collectors because they were hand-made and painted by professionals. They are thick and heavy, and their colors blend in rather than stand out like paint. If you are buying a porcelain sign, look for the stamping and lettering to see if it is genuine or not. The originals were stamped with the name of the company that produced them, while reproductions are not. The stamping on a real sign is also straight with no wavy appearance, while the letters on reproductions may appear curvy and cartoon-ish.

Tin signs are another highly sought-after format among antique collectors, and they come in a wide range of subject matter. Depending on the quality and style of the tin, they can have a smooth, matte finish or have an aged, weathered patina that adds character. They were commonly used to promote products and services, such as restaurants, coffee shops, gas stations, grocery stores and banks, but they could also be found promoting movies, sports teams, celebrities or other local businesses.

There are many ways to display tin wall signs, such as mounting them to the walls of an enclosed porch to make it feel more cozy and inviting. You can also use them in a dining room to complement your country kitchen, or in an open-concept home, where they can add to the overall sense of space and flow.

An oversized vintage road sign can be the perfect conversation piece for your rec room or bar, and it is an easy way to introduce a theme in a space that might otherwise be lacking a focal point. For a more eclectic approach, try pairing them with other salvaged decor in complementary hues to create a gallery wall.

Whether you want to make a statement with just one large sign or mix-and-match smaller signs to create a custom gallery wall, the selection of authentic vintage signs for sale at The Kings Bay offers something for everyone. These pieces will instantly give your spaces a unique, personal touch and set them apart from the crowd. They will also become a conversation starter that will get people talking about the rich cultural, social and economic context that led to the production of each sign. This may not seem significant to the average person, but it is important to remember that the objects we surround ourselves with are a reflection of our society.