Weather resistant and durable, vintage porcelain signs were a favorite means of advertisement from the 1880's to 1950's. Inexpensive to produce, they quickly became a piece of Americana with bold colors and graphics. Some were made to be hung on a wall. Others had 2 sides, made to be placed on a hinged stand so both sides were visible. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Vintage porcelain signs are made with a base of heavy rolled iron, die cut into a desired shape, then coated with layers of colored, powdered glass. Fired in a kiln at 800 degrees, the glass melts and fuses with the background. The colors are part of the surface, not a coating, so they don't fade. The result is an extremely durable metal piece with a smooth, thick enamel coating.
When first manufactured in the U. S., colors and graphics were applied as stencils. Later improvements led to screen printing on a steel base. After World War II, tin replaced steel as the base metal but it wasn't as durable or weather resistant. Inexpensive plastic soon became the preferred material for outdoor advertising.
Some of the many businesses who advertised with porcelain enamel include anthracite companies advertising how well their coal burned. Western Union advertised telegram services. Gas companies advertised their stations. There are advertisements for food, motor oil, telephone booths, tobacco, beer, and soda pop. Particularly unique are restroom notices, segregation warnings for water fountains, and warning notices for electric fences.
Many of these colorful and historical advertisements were lost during World War II, melted down for desperately needed metal. Due to scarcity and rising demand, prices have increased significantly over the last decade. Finding signage in really good condition is difficult. To fulfill the demand, manufacture of reproductions has become a burgeoning business. Reproductions decorate restaurants, offices, and homes. Collectors looking to purchase antique signage need to beware of reproductions deceptively being sold as vintage.
Porcelain enamel was the most common material used for outdoor advertisements from the 1880's through the 1950's. There are 2 main categories of collectibles. Country store includes anything and everything shoppers would have bought at the local general store. Advertisements for bread, soda, tobacco, and household paint are the easiest to find. The 2nd category is gas and oil signage including cars and station signs. This category also includes highway signage and rare railroad station signs. Some collectors are fascinated by and collect a variety of bold and colorful signage. Others collect as an adjunct to another hobby. Auto collectors like auto related signage, while railroad buffs look for railroad placards to add to their railroading collection.
Condition, scarcity, and visual appeal are factors affecting price. Old signage was once a favorite item for shooting practice. Many survived this practice but are scarred with bullet holes. Popular as outdoor advertising, many have crazing or rust from their exposure to wind, rain, or snow. Collectors have been known to pay hundred, occasionally even thousands, for signage in top condition.
Vintage porcelain signs are bright and colorful. They're a symbol of our past. They represent a time and place, a vanishing way of life. They represent businesses and products for which we have fond memories. Many of these businesses and products no longer exist. Others continue to thrive their logos still familiar to us all.
Vintage porcelain signs are made with a base of heavy rolled iron, die cut into a desired shape, then coated with layers of colored, powdered glass. Fired in a kiln at 800 degrees, the glass melts and fuses with the background. The colors are part of the surface, not a coating, so they don't fade. The result is an extremely durable metal piece with a smooth, thick enamel coating.
When first manufactured in the U. S., colors and graphics were applied as stencils. Later improvements led to screen printing on a steel base. After World War II, tin replaced steel as the base metal but it wasn't as durable or weather resistant. Inexpensive plastic soon became the preferred material for outdoor advertising.
Some of the many businesses who advertised with porcelain enamel include anthracite companies advertising how well their coal burned. Western Union advertised telegram services. Gas companies advertised their stations. There are advertisements for food, motor oil, telephone booths, tobacco, beer, and soda pop. Particularly unique are restroom notices, segregation warnings for water fountains, and warning notices for electric fences.
Many of these colorful and historical advertisements were lost during World War II, melted down for desperately needed metal. Due to scarcity and rising demand, prices have increased significantly over the last decade. Finding signage in really good condition is difficult. To fulfill the demand, manufacture of reproductions has become a burgeoning business. Reproductions decorate restaurants, offices, and homes. Collectors looking to purchase antique signage need to beware of reproductions deceptively being sold as vintage.
Porcelain enamel was the most common material used for outdoor advertisements from the 1880's through the 1950's. There are 2 main categories of collectibles. Country store includes anything and everything shoppers would have bought at the local general store. Advertisements for bread, soda, tobacco, and household paint are the easiest to find. The 2nd category is gas and oil signage including cars and station signs. This category also includes highway signage and rare railroad station signs. Some collectors are fascinated by and collect a variety of bold and colorful signage. Others collect as an adjunct to another hobby. Auto collectors like auto related signage, while railroad buffs look for railroad placards to add to their railroading collection.
Condition, scarcity, and visual appeal are factors affecting price. Old signage was once a favorite item for shooting practice. Many survived this practice but are scarred with bullet holes. Popular as outdoor advertising, many have crazing or rust from their exposure to wind, rain, or snow. Collectors have been known to pay hundred, occasionally even thousands, for signage in top condition.
Vintage porcelain signs are bright and colorful. They're a symbol of our past. They represent a time and place, a vanishing way of life. They represent businesses and products for which we have fond memories. Many of these businesses and products no longer exist. Others continue to thrive their logos still familiar to us all.
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