Years ago I started picking up random cheap signs to decorate our video area with. I chose bottom of the barrel stuff because it was cheap and I was not really into them as an investment or hobby, just liked them for the vibe they sent… They kind of crept up on me in value and I would be just as happy with repros to be honest. Anyone know anything about some of these? I just did ebay searches, priced them maybe too high but I can always come down.
Funny thing you should mention “American Pickers”, ClawIt, as there was an episode ( an early in the season rerun ) just a couple of nights ago, where Mike Wolfe was pointing out the huge increase in ‘faux’ ( i.e. - fake ) metal signs. The lengths to which some unscrupulous sellers will go to ‘antique’ a brand new sign. Using chemicals to give a patina to the exposed metal parts ( the back especially ), using pliers to bend the corners, using tile nippers to chip the porcelain around the edges, and steel wool to scuff up and reduce the shine on the porcelain surface. Still they manage to fool a lot of buyers, and the prices they get for a 20 dollar reproduction ( like 300 - 600 ) is criminal. Caveat Emptor - buyer beware !
You’ve got a good eye for quality - these are all very unique with great subject content and colors. Why sell them? - they really look great in your shop and must bring a lot of enjoyment to look at. …
I have never been much to collect or hoard, just a picker and seller. When I was a kid I used to hang out at Rose City Mustang in Portland and Phil Horine would always say “This is a store not a Museum, everything is for sale!” If you wanted to borrow something he would say the same just substitute the word Library for Museum. I got one kid left in high school (15 yrs old) and he just saved up and bought his dream bike (YZF250) and wants me to go riding with him. Even though I am getting kind of old for that kind of nonsense, with the money I would upgrade my old YZ (its time for electric start) and replace the signs with repros. The next batch of cool old originals is just waiting to be discovered, its all about the hunt for me!
