There are many things that people like to collect. Some collectors prefer stamps, coins, and dolls, while others collect art. Children often collect simple items such as rocks. You can collect anything you like and for whatever reason, as long as it's legal. Signs often make their mark by promoting businesses and bringing in organic foot traffic. Some people place so much value on signs that they decide to collect them. Do you wonder why anyone would want to collect antique municipal signs? If so, read on for more information.

1. Historic Value

Antique municipal signs have great nostalgic value for people. There's nothing like an old sign to take you back to a time and place that no longer exists. During the Art Deco period of the 1950s, many boardwalks had a line of striking neon signs. In terms of popularity, pre-World War II porcelain-enamel signs are the most sought-after ones, according to Work and Money. Signs from old gas stations are a favorite among collectors.

Are you a history buff? If so, collecting antique municipal signs is a different way of expressing that. Many signs tell a story of an era, a past decade, or a business that either no longer exists or has changed drastically.

2. Different Investment

When you think of making an investment, you probably think of a 401K, trying your luck at the stock market, or buying up real estate. However, more people are finding different ways to build their investment portfolio or allotment of valuable items. According to IBISWorld, the online antique sales and collectibles market had a $2.8 billion valuation. If you've ever watched Antiques Roadshow, you understand why this industry has such a high value.

One of the great things about collecting signage is that it's an accessible type of investment that anybody can get involved in. Some signs are cheap, some run a much higher price tag. However, if you have money to spare, you can add to your collection of antique signs. In addition, you can display them as artwork since most antique municipal signs involve vivid imagery and graphics.

3. Conversation Piece

These signs make a great conversation piece, whether you're dealing with other sign collectors or people who don't know what these signs represent. Imagine hosting a party where you get to talk about your display of antique municipal signs with your guests. You could talk about them for hours on end. It's an opportunity to talk about the signs themselves while going further into history. Many signs come from old businesses, train stations, pubs, and more. So there are many different elements to discuss that can lead the conversation in other directions. Who knows? You could turn someone else on to start their own sign collection.

4. Fun Experience

If you're interested in trying your hand at collecting antique signs, there are a few ways to go about it. Try your luck at auction sites such as eBay. You can also check out old estate sales, thrift shops, and junk dealers.

Before spending money on a sign, you need to understand what to look for. Only pay for a sign in good condition. Look for signs of fading and rust, as it can affect the overall value. You should also ask yourself, is this sign rare? As with any other rare object, a rare sign is more valuable and can go for more money during a resale than any other sign. It should also come as no surprise that signs focusing on more well-known products are also valuable. In other words, if you find old tin Coca-Cola or Campbell Soup signs, those could certainly go for a lot of money.

One of the best things about being a collector is you can literally collect anything you want. As an antique sign collector, you're in good company with other people who share your interest, but you still stand out from other collectors since you don't focus on more standard fare like art or dolls. With the right research and understanding of how to look for signs, you may have a valuable collection for your estate. If you're interested in antique municipal signs, call our local team at Antique Sign Collector for more information.