Showcase Of Beautiful Vintage and Retro Signage

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Many designers and artists have a true love for vintage and retro design and share their passion when the opportunity arises. One could probably find several hundred showcases of retro designs on display today in the 21st century, but not many of actual vintage ones that were used in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s and are still in use today.

To celebrate the beauty of vintage and retro typography, we have compiled a showcase of vintage and retro signage to inspire you: a great excuse to take five minutes out to admire the styles, whether simple or complex, and the love that went into creating these gorgeous vintage signs.

Showcase of Vintage Signage

Sydney

Vintage Signage - Sydney

hampton inn. green bay, wi. 2006

Vintage Signage - hampton inn. green bay, wi. 2006

deangelis (delightfully different) donutsRochester, PA

Vintage Signage - deangelis (delightfully different) donuts

bakersfield Drive-up green burger/pastrami joint

Vintage Signage - bakersfield

Simmons and Clark Jeweler in Downtown Detroit

Vintage Signage - Simmons and Clark Jeweler in Downtown Detroit

liquor. santa monica, ca. 2006

Vintage Signage - liquor. santa monica, ca. 2006

Put Some South in Your Mouth

Vintage Signage - Put Some South in Your Mouth

Seoul rock Rock & roll joint somewhere in the upmarket Apgujeong.

Vintage Signage - Seoul rock

Mel’s Drive In Great retro neon and bub signage for Mel’s in Hollywood.

Vintage Signage - Mel’s Drive In

they go together like a horse and carriage

Vintage Signage - they go together like a horse and carriage

4600ish N Western

4600ish N Western, Vintage Signage

Vintage Signage - 4600ish N Western()

Walthamstow Stadium

Vintage Signage - Walthamstow Stadium

Motel Hamburg

Vintage Signage - Motel Hamburg

Remember me, summer

Vintage Signage - Remember me, summer

Italy Ninetta von Blaschke

Vintage Signage - Italy Ninetta von Blaschke

Tradewinds Motel

Vintage Signage - Tradewinds Motel - 2

Canterbury Records

Vintage Signage - Canterbury Records - rear

Johnny Rockets on Woodward in Downtown Detroit A cool sign for a 50’s style diner, this chain of restaurant was originally launched out of California in 1986. Located in Foxtown, this diner is right near The Fillmore, Fox Theater, and Comerica Park.

Vintage Signage - Johnny Rockets on Woodward in Downtown Detroit

Eyetwist signs

Vintage Signage - eyetwist signs

The Flame

The Flame

Eyetwist signs 2

Vintage Signage - eyetwist signs

Urban Script As seen in downtown Buffalo, New York.

Vintage Signage - Urban Script

Ice-Cold

Vintage Signage - Ice-Cold

Casa de cadillac, Sherman oaks

Vintage Signage - casa de cadillac. sherman oaks, ca. 1995.

prcssd. las vegas, nv. 2007

Vintage Signage - prcssd. las vegas, nv. 2007

The Palms Motor Hotel Portland, Oregon.

Vintage Signage - The Palms Motor Hotel

Lights for Liquor

Vintage Signage - Lights for Liquor

route 66. seligman, az. 2007

Vintage Signage - route 66. seligman, az. 2007.

Bubbles

Vintage Signage - Bubbles

Parkside Parkside Candies in Amherst, NY.

Vintage Signage - Parkside

Krispy Kreme in Kolor Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN.

Vintage Signage - Krispy Kreme in Kolor

Carling Black Label Beer Albany, GA; Oglethorpe Lounge.

Vintage Signage - Carling Black Label Beer

South Haven

Vintage Signage - south haven

Last Click

route 66. hackberry, az. 2007.

Vintage Signage - route 66. hackberry, az. 2007.

Vintage Signage - route 66. hackberry, az. 2007.

Uncle Jer’s Great side wall signage for Uncle Jer’s on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles doing business since 1978.

Vintage Signage - Uncle Jer’s

Chubbie’s

Vintage Signage - Chubbie’s

R.I.P. Zipperhead A South Street icon bites the dust. At least the new shop left the giant creepy ants on the facade. And there is Crash, Bang, Boom – a very respectable spin–off shop, around the corner. Philadelphia, PA.

Vintage Signage - R.I.P. Zipperhead

>>> Moving Forward >>>

Vintage Signage - Moving Forward

Flickr Groups

Flickr is a superb place to search for inspiration of all kinds, no matter what your project. Check out some of these great sign–related groups, and contribute to them if you have your own great photos of vintage signs!

Further Resources

Smashing Editorial (al, lu, il)