Neon Signs as Collectibles

Neon signs, which originated over a century ago, are one of the advertising world's most enduring tools, and have been helping businesses to attract new customers for decades. Collectors flock to neon signs because of their long-lasting popularity and seemingly endless styles. The remainder of this article will cover the basics of starting a neon sign collections and provide some ideas of where you can purchase classic neon lights.


There have been hundreds, or possibly thousands, of neon sign varieties manufactured in the past one-hundred years. For instance, bars and restaurants have displayed neon signs promoting brands of alcohol and various foods for decades. Many other industries, such as cinemas and gas stations, have also utilized neon signage through the ages. Companies generally manufactured the same sign for all of their franchises for a given period of time; once they shifted their advertising campaign or logo, this sign style was phased-out completely. Discontinued neon signs are quite popular with collectors since they are typically rare.

There are certain discontinued signs that are more highly sought-after than others. As with all antiques, the rarer the item, the higher the asking price will generally be. In particular, vintage neon signs that advertise cars from bygone decades are sought-after by collectors, thus commanding high prices. Car dealerships would often leave these signs, intended to advertise new automobile models, hanging on the walls for years. Because of this, they hold a certain nostalgia for people who grew up seeing them each time they purchased a vehicle.

If you want to start a neon sign collection, you should research the sort of signs you want to purchase before actually going shopping. Once you know the average price of the types of signs you want to collect, you will be able to determine if you are overpaying for an item. It will also allow you to figure out if you can afford that particular type of neon sign, as some styles cost thousands of dollars per sign.

Rather than starting your collection by combing through auctions and antique shops, you should first ask your friends and family if they have any classic neon open signs. More often than you would think, people have classic neon signs in their basements or garages. If you are lucky enough to find any friends or family who have vintage signs, you may be able to buy the first pieces of your collection far below their market value. You can also search internet auction sites for good deals on vintage neon signs.

As you begin your collection, don't get discouraged if you can't find exactly what you are looking for immediately. Many neon sign collections are the product of years of hard-work on the part of the collector. Keep in mind that the most important thing to do with any collection is to enjoy the process!