Signs of the times go under the hammer in Shropshire
They are the iconic signs that shaped a generation – and they are expected to be the centre of attention at an auction in Shropshire.
From petrol to bicycles, cigarettes and soap to stamps, the images – sometimes known as 'street jewellery' – used to decorate our shops and high streets in years gone by.
And now one auction house is expecting them to be in demand from people looking to create an unusual period feature in their homes and gardens. The enamel signs, which have been collected by one man over the past 50 years, date back to the turn of the 20th century. The sale will also include a collection of cast iron railway signs.
Phil Griffiths, from Henderson Auctioneers, said: "These are a fabulous collection of signs.
"Some are very rare and advertise items which today would never have such high prominence advertising such as cigarettes. The signs are made from metal with a glass enamel covering which provides the artwork.
"They are highly decorative and much sought after.
"They were commonly used for advertising and street signage in the period 1880 to 1950 and then with the advent of plastic signs they became obsolete. But they are real works of art and have become increasingly sought after by collectors.
"We anticipate a great deal of interest and we think some of them may go for as much as several hundred pounds."
The auction is tomorrow at the parish hall in Minsterley, at 6.30pm.
