Collecting Vintage Signs: Tips for Getting Started

Probably no other collection has the character and personality as a collection of vintage signs. These great old relics from the past can bring back memories of days gone by. Each sign can tell a story, and together in a collection they can paint a picture of what life was like at a particular time in history.

Putting together a collection of signs can be a fun, fascinating and rewarding hobby. They make fantastic conversation pieces and can add richly to the decor of a home or business. Here are some tips for getting started collecting vintage signs that will help you put together a collection of your own that you can show off with pride.

Probably the best way to have a cohesive collection that looks great on display is to collect around a theme. By focusing on one particular style or era, your signs will fit well together and will have much more of an impact than a collection of random, unrelated signs. Here are a few ideas of themes that you could choose for your collection.

Start a Collection by Industry

You may want to think about collecting vintage signs that all relate to one business or industry. For instance, you might choose to collect gas signs, beer signs, or hunting signs. This type of collection is a lot of fun because you aren't limited to a particular decade or style. Instead, your signs can have a lot of their own unique character and personality, but still will fit in with the theme of the collection.

Start a Collection by Decade or Time Period

One of the most popular ways to collect signs is to group them by time period. This is a fun option because it can give you a more complete picture of what life and advertising were like during a certain time period. Choose a decade you love, stick with it and before you know it you will have a beautiful collection of vintage signs that give a glimpse into the past.

Start a Collection By Brand

Another fun way to collect signs is to look for signs that are all from the same brand, but span many decades. For instance, many people collect vintage Coca-cola signs. The fun part about this is that you can watch how advertising for a particular company has changed over time. Plus, you'll have a beautiful, cohesive collection that look great on display.

These are just a few ideas for how you can start you own unique sign collection that fits well together. Think about other ways you could group your signs and then get hunting for the perfect signs for your collection!