History of Traffic Signs

[j5]

I wasn't sure if I should make this post in the new members area, start a new topic in the general area, or post in the signs for sell. What brought me here was the need for info so I decided to make it a topic of it's own so future seekers will have all this information in one nice neat thread.

Hello everyone. I came across this forum while researching 'history of traffic signs'. There doesn't seem to be a lot of information on it. At least not in one large collected area. I get little snip bits here and there and even started watching American pickers, but still lack basic and essential knowledge.

I just started cleaning out an old art studio that made artwork out of recycled traffic signs and the same people want me to sell the items coming out of there starting with the traffic signs. There's around 100+ signs. Most are authentic. Some are copies and reprints, but all aluminum and some even still have '3M' protective sticker covers on them. A few route signs appear to be vintage old (50years+) that are either vitreous enamel or painted enamel. It's difficult to tell because of the wear. In areas it screams 'vitreous' (thick glass coating that cracks like glass on bends and dents, but because of the wear it looks 'painted' (also has paint drips and runs, not likely to occur on vitreous since that's a baking process) I'm still not sure though.


This is a basic rundown (and by no means accurate) list of what I've gathered from Google:


Aluminum Traffic Signs - most signs from 1950-present are made of aluminum

Steel Signs - between 1920's-1950's? Sort of guessing here

Porcelain/Tin/Pressed/Cast Iron - pre 1900's, post 1800's

Wood/Stone - pre 1800's









I just noticed I posted this in the wrong place. I tried deleting it but I was unable to.

[agentsteel53]

I would like to see photos of these signs.