For any kind of collector, finding something
desirable in pristine condition is the Holy Grail. However for collectors of
old, bespoke metal signs quite often that’s just not possible. Due to the day
to day conditions most outdoor signs face, they can become naturally worn over
the course of several decades. Certainly it can be argued that this wearing
only serves to give the sign a personality, but many collectors are turning to
restoration companies to return their prized collectibles to their former
glories. Before looking at this choice it is worth investigating these
collectors, as the decision to restore or not comes down to what each individual
wants from their collections.
Those with a fondness for classic bespoke
metal signs are known as ‘Pickers’. They travel the country, across countryside’s
and in disused warehouses to find old signs that have since been left to rust.
Some do this for the enjoyment of the pieces, some do it for the ‘treasure
hunt’ aspect of tracking them down and some do it for the money.
It is certainly not a common interest but
there is still a lot to be said for old pieces of everyday life. Each sign
tells a story and comes with it a sense of time and place. Consider the changes
in metal sign design over the years, from the classic diners of the 50s through
to the lived-in feel of the 70s – each sign serves as a product of its time and
for those with an affinity for a particular time period these signs can recall
wonderful nostalgia. These are the kind of people who would look to restore
such a sign, to return it back to the way it looked in its prime to most
accurately represent that time period.
For those who enjoy the thrill of tracking
down a specific item, they are often more interested in the process of finding
it rather than the product itself. Specific signs from a specific period will
be identified by experts as having a particular value, it may then involve real
detective work to track them down after being tossed aside so many years ago.
The scavenger hunters and those who wish to
make a profit may not share such a vested interest in the signs’ original
forms. There is money to be made from a variety of sources, both from those who
approve of restoration and those that don’t. Many collectors feel that to
restore a piece is to diminish its value. However there are many professionals
who know how to handle such a job tastefully who will try to restore each piece
in a natural way. They know just how much rust to remove etc to retain its
sense of age, but will clean it so that it looks pleasant to display.
So, the decision to restore or to appreciate
its current state is generally a question of taste. As bespoke metal signs,
each find is indeed different so either way, restored or rusted they survive to
tell a story.
Author
Bio:
Sarah is a keen writer who is interested in art and décor. One of her
preferred topics is the design of different plaques and signs.
