Antique & Vintage Advertising Signs Auctions

Antique & Vintage Advertising Signs Auctions

Behind most of the biggest brands of today and yesteryear are recognizable, memorable signs.  Antique and vintage advertising signs are great time-capsules, in that a quick glance can tell you when and where that sign was used.

Some signs that were unavoidable haven’t survived in large numbers.  Other signs are for businesses that closed years ago.  Those kinds of advertising signs and others often have value to collectors today.  Aficionados of vintage and antique signs include bar owners, professional decorators, and private collectors. The subcategories of petroliana, tob

Whether you’ve got one sign or a collection of them, Central Mass Auctions can help you get maximum return at auction.  Below are photos of some vintage signs we’ve sold at auctions.

We work throughout Central Mass, Greater Boston, New England, and beyond.  Call Central Mass Auctions at 508-612-6111, or email us.

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Petroliana: gas station collectibles & related memorabilia

“Petroliana” refers to any collectibles or antiques that relate back to gas stations or the oil industry.  Most petroliana enthusiasts focus on advertisements and signs, but some collectors also focus on oil cans, road maps, spark plugs, tires, promotional items, and gas pumps. Because almost every gas station had a soda machine, vintage Coke and Pepsi signs may also appeal to petroliana collectors.

The most popular brands are Mobil (remember the big red pegasus?), Texaco, Standard Oil, Phillips 66, Shell, Sinclair, and Esso. The most valuable pieces tend to come from the 1910s to the 1950s, the early days of the American automobile era, in which filling stations were a relatively new phenomenon. Pieces from the 1940s and the 1950s are in the most demand, and tend to fetch the best prices at auction they are in good condition.

Getting an appraisal is even more important than usual when you’re working with petroliana collectables, because the niche is highly prone to counterfeits. We can help you identify whether you’re holding on to a convincing replica or have the “real deal” and an item that can sell for a significant sum at auction. 
 
 


Tobacciana: cigarette/tobacco accessories and advertisements

Tobacciana is the pursuit of collecting advertisements or memorabilia related to the tobacco industry, particularly cigarette brands. Early tobacco-company advertisements, cartons, cardboard stands, tins, signs, memorabilia, tobacco cards, lighters, cigarette holders, match holders, ashtrays, and artwork all capture the imagination of certain collectors.


The rarity of, demand for, and condition of pieces can influence their value. In some cases it can be harder to narrow tobacciana down to items from specific eras, because (for example) some collectors may be interested in cigar cutters from the Victorian era, whereas others will want collectable tobacco tins or picture cards.

Picture cards from 1875 to the 1940s can vary widely in value, from $5 all the way up to over $2 million. Pre-WWII tobacco tins tend to attract the most attention from collectors. There is a large market for signs and advertisements, with many going for over $10,000. 



Breweriana: beer-related collectibles 

Breweriana is the pastime of collecting advertisements and memorabilia related primarily to beer and brewing. As one might expect, beer companies’ signs are a significant and popular part of breweriana.  Other popular collectables include beer bottles, cans and steins, beer trays, bottle caps, matchbooks, coasters, beer tap knobs, and bar statues. Many collectors like to focus on long-running, instantly recognizable brands like Busch, Miller, Coors, and Budweiser.

Collectors often focus on advertisements from the 1800s all the way up to the present day.

Bar signs printed on sheet metal are some of the most valuable, if you’ve got the genuine article rather than a reproduction. We can tell you whether you’ve got an overlooked treasure on your hands. The most valuable beer signs may be worth several hundred dollars on their own, and may add up to good money as part of a larger collection.


Some signs of many we have sold at auction

National Mazda Lamps advertising counter display

National Mazda Lamps advertising counter display

Vintage Coca Cola 6-pack sign, Columbia Bicycles banner, and other advertising.

Reymer's Blend Lemonade light-up advertising sign

Reymer’s Blend Lemonade light-up advertising sign

French Electrine advertising sign

French Electrine advertising sign

Early folk art barber pole

Early folk art barber pole

Dr. Daniels tin litho advertising cabinet

Dr. Daniels tin litho advertising cabinet

Early 20th Century tin Hood Tires advertising sign

Early 20th Century tin Hood Tires advertising sign

19th Century folk art optometrist store display

19th Century folk art optometrist store display