Vintage Porcelain Signs Past And Present

By Maryanne Goff


During the hey day of the Industrial Revolution many different products were manufactured for the first time. Among those items were vintage porcelain signs. This type of sign was to eventually be seen practically everywhere in some places as many companies used them to place a picture of their logo on it and then hang the sign were everyone could see it. Motorists probably got used to the placards the quickest since they were used at gas stations and roadside restaurants all along newly built roads. There are some remnants still left from those early days and many collectors are anxious to add them to their collections.

At first no one had a lot of use for a product that had porcelain sprayed on steel. The new manufacturing technique was kind of set aside and partially forgotten about for over fifty years. Then someone stumbled upon some samples of the techniques and decided that they could use it to promote companies everywhere. The designs that could be put on a sign were very good and caught the eyes of passing people.

Fifty years after its discovery some people decided that the technology could be used as a platform for other companies to advertise on. Some of the largest companies of the day immediately placed orders for thousands of copies of their advertisement and gave them out to store owners everywhere to display on their buildings. Even small companies with little advertising budgets bought the steel based placards.

A sign made out of steel became a wanted commodity during the harsh days of World War II. The military needed metal to help them build airplanes, ships and bullets to fight the enemy. Any metal that could be used was melted down and transformed into other objects. Many of the familiar signs made with porcelain were taken down and sent to be used in the war effort.

Not every sign was used in the war and some were still around after the fighting stopped. A common sight on many roads was a sign of this kind filled with bullet holes from frustrated hunters looking for something to shoot. Other units were stuck in the back rooms of warehouses or in the upper reaches of barns on farmland.

There are reproductions available today and one should be careful not to confuse the two styles. The newer replicas are made with paint sprayed on metal and are much thinner than the old way of make this type of sign. Checking the thickness helps one determine if they are buying an original or a replica sign.

Many collectors are willing to pay a lot of money for an original. Some that are in good shape has sold for fifty thousands dollars. The demand has not shrunk in recent years and there is a good chance the values will keep on rising.

The beginning of vintage porcelain signs started when the industrial revolution was taken hold in Western Civilization. From its humble beginning in Germany to it hey day along roadways, people love the look of an old gas station sign. They remind a lot of people of simpler times.




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