Advertising: The Appeal of Enamel and Tin
For many collectors, vintage advertising serves as a direct portal to the high street of the past. The “kings” of this category are undoubtedly porcelain enamel signs. Once ubiquitous on Victorian and Edwardian storefronts, these durable, glass-on-steel signs are now highly prized for their vibrant colours and typography. A pristine example of a rare brand—such as early motoring oils or local tea companies—can command thousands at auction.
However, the entry-level market is equally buoyant. Lithographed tins (biscuit, tobacco, and confectionery) offer an affordable way to build a visually stunning collection. Look for tins from the 1890s to the 1930s where the printing is directly on the metal rather than paper labels.
Collector’s Tip: The market is flooded with reproduction enamel signs.
A genuine sign will often have “shelving” (a slight layering effect where the different colours of enamel were fired) and rust that looks natural, not chemically induced. Always check the mounting holes; on a real sign, the grommets or holes often show specific wear patterns from decades of hanging that fakes rarely replicate convincingly.
