Howdy folks, I saved this old sign from getting tossed into a dumpster this morning. It's big and heavy. Most of the letters had fallen into the bottom of it, but only a couple are missing. The letters are made of glass and the sign is sheet metal. It's really cool looking and I'd love to keep it, but I don't have space to store it. I was thinking about putting it up for sale, but I have no idea what it would be worth. I know there has to be some value in it even in its current condition. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
It is double sided and I have most of the letters, there are a couple missing. It's also illuminated, although the wiring is currently unusable. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
These signs are becoming popular to collectors. If it was porcelain it would bring more money but the condition is good my guess $500 to $750 to the right buyer.
Wow, that a little more than i expected you to say! do you think it would be worth it to restore and sell or should i just sell as is? It does have some rust holes in the bottom.
Original signs in good condition like yours are much more desirable to collectors so I would not do anything but gently clean it up. If you’re intent is to sell it do “as is”.
Thank you for your insight. I think I may hold onto it for a while and put some time into re attaching the letters and cleaning it. I'll enjoy it for a while. I do have one other question in case I do end up selling it. I think a majority of the signs weight is due to a very large power transformer inside, as well as a bunch of porcelain bulb sockets. If I were to gut the original lighting and replace it with something a little more modern, would that effect its value to a collector in the event that I end up trying to sell it? Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Rewiring and replacing the old transformer will be a good thing for safety reasons. It will not hurt the value of the sign.
I posted it to a sign collectors group on FB and they are offering WAY more. I'm not going to be specific, but apparently Opal glass signs are a super rare item. I'm definitely going to sell it now, but I have to do a lot of research first. If you ever come across one, do yourself a favor and buy it. These guys went nuts over it. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Today I took the who thing apart and give it a good cleaning. I also scrubbed all of the letters and laid them out to see what was missing. It's missing a large B and a small U. Using a propane torch, so scrap wood and a vacuum I have begun experimenting with forming my replacement letters. I still haven't perfected it, but I have one successful attempt at a B. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Yesterday I was able to make my second letter. I didn't have a chance to start installing the letters yet. I ended up not touching the electric stuff inside, I'll leave it for the next guy to deal with. But I did zip tie in some cheapo LED string lights just so I can see it light up when I'm done. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Finished it up today, added some more lights inside. I used clear silicone to stick the letters back in. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Fantastic old sign and pretty cool that you fabricated the missing letters. Glad you did a little research before "restoring". I'm still amazed that in this age of eBay, American Pickers and the interwebs people there are still people who don't realize old signs have value (the other side of that coin is people think their scrappy old piece of whatever is worth a fortune ). I don't have a lot of old signs, just a handful, but I've never paid for one. All were either headed for the dumpster or already there.
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