Signs & Toys
Selling Advertising Signs & Antique Toys in Southern California
I Buy It buys porcelain and enamel advertising signs, neon signs, gas station and automobilia pieces, and antique toys. The single biggest factor in value is originality combined with condition. An original porcelain or neon sign in a recognized gas or oil brand, with strong color and no overpaint, sits at the top of this market.
What we buy
- Porcelain and enamel advertising signs
- Neon signs
- Gas station and automobilia pieces
- Antique toys
Past results include a Houston Gasoline porcelain sign with logo, sold for $32,000 in 2020, and a Ford double-sided oval neon sign with wings, sold for $32,000 in 2021. See recent results.
How to tell if it’s valuable
- It is original porcelain or neon in a recognized brand, especially gas and oil. Size, condition, and originality drive the price.
- It is double-sided porcelain with strong original color and gloss. Scarce early gas signs are the top of the market.
- A toy is in original condition, ideally with its original finish or packaging. Named makers and complete pieces are preferred.
- It has not been overpainted, cut down, or rebuilt.
How to identify it
- Porcelain vs tin. Porcelain has a glass-like enamel surface. Tin is thinner and often rusts at the edges.
- Both sides. On a double-sided sign, check that wear and color match front to back. Originality matters.
- Neon. Look at the glass tubing, the transformer, and the mounting. Working condition is a plus but is not required for an evaluation.
- Manufacturer marks. Porcelain maker marks sometimes appear along the edge or on the back.
- Toys. Check the base or underside for a maker stamp, and look at whether the finish is original.
What usually isn’t valuable
- Reproductions and modern metal signs. These have little collector value.
- Heavily rusted, overpainted, or incomplete signs. Condition cuts value sharply in this category.
- Common later toys with no maker identification. Demand is limited.
How to photograph it for an evaluation
- The full sign, straight-on
- Both sides, if double-sided
- Close-ups of any chips, rust, or repairs
- The edge and any mounting hardware
- For neon: the tubing and the transformer
- For toys: the full piece and any maker mark on the base
Common questions
How do I know if my sign is porcelain or tin?
Porcelain has a hard, glass-like enamel surface. Tin is thinner and usually shows rust starting at the edges.
Does my neon sign need to work?
No. Working condition is a plus, but we can evaluate from photos of the tubing, transformer, and mounting.
My sign has chips. Is it still worth something?
Possibly. Condition affects price significantly, so photograph every chip and rust area clearly so the evaluation is accurate.
How can I tell a reproduction from an original?
Originals show consistent age and wear, and on double-sided signs the wear should match front to back. Reproductions and modern metal signs have little collector value.
Which signs bring the most?
Original porcelain and neon in gas and oil brands, particularly scarce early examples in strong color. Condition and originality matter more than brand recognition alone.
Related: Antiques
Send photos through the form on our site, by email, or by text. We respond within 24 hours. We serve Southern California: Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County.
Have a sign or antique toys?
Send photos of both sides and any chips or marks.