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Cool and Collected

Collecting pop culture toys, comics, and collectibles collections

September 29, 2014 By Brian 11 Comments

Yard Sale Finds — American Pickers version

I haven’t written about my yard sale finds much lately because the Facebook groups and Instagram feeds are overflowing with that sort of thing, but I had to share what I found this past Saturday because I am downright giddy over these things…

vintage metal soda signs

The guy I bought these vintage advertising signs from was in the middle of downsizing and moving from his house to an apartment. His new place didn’t have a garage, so he had to sell off the entire contents this weekend. This was the very first stop I made that morning and I couldn’t empty my wallet fast enough. I don’t collect this sort of thing, only because I NEVER find it in this area, so when you come across something like this, you HAVE to buy it. Signs like this might be common in the barns of the midwest, but in suburban DC, these things just aren’t to be found.

I actually left behind a couple of nice signs because I ran out of money — not expecting to need much for a typical day of yard sailing — and when I returned after a trip to the ATM, they were gone, but I am thrilled with the signs I did manage to buy. The large 7-Up sign is probably the best of the bunch. It’s almost four feet tall and is in amazing condition. The top of the bottle is deeply embossed so that the bottle is literally coming at you. I’ve only found one other example of this sign on eBay and it fetched a pretty penny. I’m still looking for another example of the B-1 sign to get a little more information about it — I’m pretty sure it’s from the 40’s or 50’s, but other than that I don’t know a thing about it. If anyone can enlighten me about it, I’d be grateful.

I’ve already hung the figural bottle thermometer signs in my cave, but I seriously need more walls for the rest. Right now, I have many layers of posters, prints, and signs leaning against every flat surface. Personally, I think the Dad’s root beer sign would look great in the kitchen, but for some reason, my wife doesn’t agree. One of these days, I’ll convince her to let me decorate our house. It will be the most epic dorm room ever! (Don’t tell her I said that.)

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: advertising, vintage signs

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rich-NerdNook says

    September 29, 2014 at 11:24 am

    Great finds! Have you checked out “Extreme Collectors” on discovery yet? It’d be right up your alley 😉

    Reply
    • Brian says

      September 29, 2014 at 11:27 am

      Yes! I’ve caught the episodes whenever I’ve found them. They don’t seem to air on a regular schedule, but that show is probably the best show for collectors yet!

      Reply
      • Rich - NerdNook says

        September 30, 2014 at 4:39 am

        I let my DVR do all the work. I agree. It’s well done and validates us collectors as not being crazy hoarders! Lol. Some of the appraised values are mind blowing.

        Reply
  2. George (GI Jigsaw) says

    September 29, 2014 at 11:24 am

    Nice find.

    Reply
  3. brothermidnight says

    September 29, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    The B 1 Lemon Lime Sign is from the mid to late 40’s . That’s the red stripe version there is also a solid black version from the same time frame and value. B 1 had some really nice looking signs with lady’s on them and of course those have a higher value but the one you have there is still a nice uncommon sign.

    Reply
    • Brian says

      September 29, 2014 at 2:53 pm

      Thanks brother!

      Reply
  4. Wife says

    September 29, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    I heard that. 😉

    Reply
  5. john Gaither says

    September 29, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    Coolness! Congrats.

    Reply
  6. Pop Rewind says

    October 1, 2014 at 7:21 pm

    Oh those are awesome! Reminds me of my parents’ basement– all 50s and 60s. No wonder I’m obsessed with hoarding things from my youth, got it from them, hah! That 7-Up one is the best!

    Reply
  7. Hank says

    October 6, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    Nice stuff. Didn’t know you were from DC!

    Reply
  8. Yelinna says

    October 8, 2014 at 7:18 pm

    “I have many layers of posters, prints, and signs leaning against every flat surface.” He he, I’m not the only one that thinks four walls per room are not enough 😀 (I need another wall for my super hero posters)

    Reply

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