Early trade signs reflected the work of men and women in as few words and images as possible. Shipbuilders, hatters, cobblers, shopkeepers, blacksmiths, tinsmiths, printers, coopers, and many others were often identified by the framed board hanging in front of their workplace. Immortalize an ancestor (or yourself!) in the form of a trade sign bearing your name and/or occupation. A fine conversation piece, as well as the perfect "proof" to accompany any family legend.

The signs on this page have all been sold.
To view available signs, click here.

Sign photographs are not to scale. Please wait a moment for all signs to load, and then scroll down to view.

"Sail Loft", sailmaker's trade sign
Gold letters with black drop-down shadow on salmon ground
21" H x 74 5/8" W

Tap Room

"Milliner & Dress Maker," Miss E. Perkins
22" x 22"

"A. Webb," 1810 bootmaker

"Phrenologist"

"Feed."
Black sand paint.
13" x 43 1/2"

Two-part church sign
"Congregational Church" and "Reverend Caleb Fitch"
Black on white ground
22 1/4" H x 28 1/8" W and 7 1/2" H x 28 1/2"W

"Store"
Black sand paint
8" H X 37 3/4" W
SOLD

"Boot & Shoe Maker"
Yellow ground
10 1/4" H x 28 3/4" W
SOLD

"Tin Shop", tinsmith's trade sign
Black lettering and art on blue-green ground
11 1/4"H x 65 3/4" W
SOLD

"Wigmaker"
White powdered wig on black stand on salmon ground
22" H x 22" W
SOLD

"J. Elfreth, Blacksmith" Philadelphia smith, Jeremiah Elfreth
Black lettering and art on white crusty ground
14 1/4" H x 55 1/4" W
SOLD

"Nathaniel Reade, Maker"
Tricorn hat with ostrich feather
22" H x 22" W
SOLD

"Hats, Caps, & Trunks"
Black lettering with gray drop-down shadow on weathered-white ground
15 3/4" H x 14 1/2" W
SOLD

"R. Aitken Printing Shop"
Ochre letters on black ground
36 3/4" H x 26 1/2" W
SOLD.

"Douty the Hatter, Boots & Shoes"
Red and black lettering/art on mottled white ground
20" H x 45" W
SOLD

Meat
21" x 36"
SOLD

"Oysters"
8" x 32"
SOLD

"Fresh Fish & Oysters"
Doubles as chalkboard
20" x 36"
SOLD

"Amos P. Lord, Sailmaker, Camden"
18" x 42"
SOLD

"Josiah Turner, Boot and Shoe Maker"
20" x 42"
SOLD

"T. Fuller", Boot and Shoe Maker
20" x 26"
SOLD

Dry & Fancy Goods of All Kinds
SOLD