Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Petroliana Value Questions Red Crown Sign

Just currious what a sign like this is worth... I picked it up today.

in pictured condition- 150.

$200 or so.

It needs to be cleaned up a little... and I think it will look a little better.... I paid 250.

You did VERY well at $250. Good piece

Hmmm not sure where you shop... I have NEVER seen a sign for $150. Granted I shop at swap meets and antique stores... this is the cheapest sign I have ever seen which is why I popped on it. Typically I see signs like this go for $500 to stupid prices over $800 or more. I am a young collector and am frustrated that all this stuff seems to be priced out of the normal collectors price range. I still feel good about what I paid and I guess thats all that matters....

You did well! It would be nice to see it cleaned up but I would have schucked out $250 in a heartbeat! That sign looks like it could clean up a lot and you could easily double its value! Good score!!

Why do you ask opinions on value AFTER you buy it, then complain when you don't like the opinions you get?
Around here that's a $150-$200 sign in that condition (if thats rust and not dirt).
I'm not sure what a "normal" collector is. I think most of our wives would say we're not normal.
If you want to build a collection on a budget you need to do more than buy at swap meets and antique stores. Antique stores often have the highest prices. You need to buy at auctions or find the items in the wild. Buy some items for resale, trade to improve your position, and always buy the best you can afford.
And don't get hung up on what others value something at (unless you're buying for resale). If you're happy with the sign at $250 that's all that counts.

Lastgas15...you hit the nail on the head.

Jim

I think you did fine. with all the new antique shows on tv every non collector thinks they have gold. like this here -http://eugene.craigslist.org/clt/2738109504.html a couple rusty beat up plates - over half what you paid.

Agreed.

Sir, Ma'am, Let me tell you a little story. I have not been collecting as long as you apparently have, but in my short time, I have learned some valuable lessons. My second sign I purchased was very similar to yours, no rust, some chips, a little fading around "power". Picked it up at a swap meet from a guy that was an "oil distrubitor" for many years. "You won't be sorry. Well worth $500." Blah, blah, blah. Then one day I happened across Dan Matthews. I found out it was worth about $2-300. Finally sold it to a friend for a gift for $250. I never have posted a "what is it worth" comment until now. I figured I was fairly knowledgable about this item. Now, sometimes I don't agree with some of the prices stated here, as I have found that the market brings more. I think the bottom line is if you are happy with the product, then a few extra dollars does not matter. Sometimes one should not look at what the "cheapest" sign is. Just my 2 cents. Stu.

Your right on that between the pickers and pawn stars , even out in the Ozarks of missouri some of the stuff is outrageous , I have found a older collector that has had his collection for years and understands the sickness of the petrol bug once it bites and he I guess feels my pain as a new collector and has been giving me some really good deals, it's sad but true this is the only way a new collector will ever be able to remotely afford , is if you get to know the older guys that have had their fun with their collection and like seeing new collectors carry on the hobby , thanks to all of you out there like that.

That's absolutely NOT the only way a new collector will be able to afford to build a collection. You have to work at it. Go to as many petro shows and auctions as you can. There are deals to be had. Network with collectors and dealers. Buy the best you can afford, but don't over pay. Enjoy the items for awhile then sell at a profit, or trade to better your position. Lonnie Hop wrote a series of articles for Check The Oil about collecting globes on a budget. Until then, I thought having a nice globe collection was out of my range. It took several years and some wheeling and dealing but I now have a pretty nice collection of globes. Lonnie has featured part of my collection in some of his articles. If you don't put the effort into building a collection you're right. You'll have to depend on someone else to give you deals to get anywhere. As a side benefit, the more shows and auctions you go to, and the more you network with others in the hobby, the more you'll enjoy the hobby.

Bob... I have noticed some of the people have the "i want it now" issue and don't want to wait. Rome wasn't built in a day... LOL i had to use that line.
I can relate because i was a new collector at one time and it took me sometime to get past that... and times i still find myself thinking i have to have it now. LOL
It can take years to build a nice collection!

Also... keep in mind not every item some one buys has to be a deal! I have found myself sometimes paying way more than it was worth to just have it. It's a balance game... pay to much for something you really want and sometimes get something for 1/3 of what it's worth.

I remember that article Lonnie did for Check the Oil... very good!