Saturday, November 30, 2013

Fun Facts About Vintage Porcelain Signs

By Georgia Diaz


Luminous tinted vintage porcelain signs stippled the panorama of the towns and cities of America amidst the 1940s. The wares served as an identification for subway stops and street addresses. They even laid out warning signs and advertising information. Even at present, contemporary businessmen still manufactures the same product. The glossiness of these pieces of art is something that will not vanish over time.

Begun in Germany, the colorful varnished signs were imported into the United States. The makers would try to apply bold graphical colors on the porcelains. They were used in just about everything to advertise tire appurtenances and farming facilities down to alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. Earliest designs were once made out of cardboard, metal, or from cut out letters. Then, Americans dared to use silkscreens and steel. When enamel became expensive, tin was used in lieu.

Collectors may not find it easy to find able bodied, original artifacts now. The amount of money that will be spent to actually collect a piece are really high. The first products were tempered for their metal during World War II and others were dirtied by vandalism.

But you know what, there is still an existing huge market for the signs even now. All the products found there have their dates of manufacture stamped on each of them. It is still advisable that a collector himself has researched and gained the actual knowledge about the pieces for legitimacy and to further avoid frauds.

Metal oxides being mixed with clear powdered glass and then integrated inside a high temperature iron base is the process of the color composition of the porcelain. The blazing technique maintains the intensity of the color for a longer period of time. Some products have texts on their sides and some even include items such as clocks to raise likings.

Gas station, automobile, food, and beverages are one of the leading companies that collectors would bargain with for their vintages. Pharmacies and barber shops are also regarded. Highway and street signs are another.

Auctioneers can still buy these items at an affordable, cheaper price. It depends if it is of rare kind or if it is still in good condition. A vintage sign called Wall Street with the marks from the Wall Street Bombing of 1920, a widely known dynamite explosion, was bought by an Asian collector for 116,500 dollars around April 2010. While in April 2011, the Minute Man Service sign of a gas station was sold for 12,938 dollars.

Preserving the quality of the vintage is as easy as washing it with only water and soup. If rust would enter in some areas, the antiquity will prevent it from further damaging the entire thing. Anyone can use the fine grit steel wool to remove the rusts left behind. Enamel paint and epoxy can also be an option for conservancy.

Knowing the usages and whereabouts of these pieces is not necessary. After all, they established a cement that supported present day art cultures. Vintage porcelain signs was, is, and will always be posted in the hearts of everyone because of its grandiose.




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