Of the millions of enamel advertising signs produced between 1850 and 1950, only a few thousand survived and the authors describe and illustrate over 100 samples from their own collection.

Notice the beauty and diverse graphics found on porcelain enamel advertising. This part of Americana has garnered interest from collectors worldwide. Petroleum, automobiles, gasoline, beer, paints and varnishes, telephone, tobacco, and soda pop are among

For more than three decades, renowned graphic designer and self-described Italophile Louise Fili has traveled the cities and countryside of Italy cataloging the work of sign craftsmen in whose hands type takes on new life with a tantalizing menu of styles. Classical, eclectic, or Futurist; in gold leaf, marble, brass, wood, wrought iron, enamel, ceramic, or neon; painted, carved, inlaid, etched, tiled, or stenciled— the creative possibilities are endless. Grafica della Strada is Fili's photographic diary of hundreds of Italy's most inventive restaurant, shop, hotel, street, and advertising signs. A major influence on Fili's own work, many of these marvels of vernacular design live on solely in this book, a typographic love letter to Italy that will be an inspiration to designers and Italophiles everywhere.

A showcase of London’s street nameplates – from the curious to the ornate. All around London, you can find a remarkable public archive of lettering in the city’s street nameplates. A unique collection of styles and forms that stretches back to the 17th century, these little labels hide in plain sight – we use their information daily, but too often fail to really notice them. And they aren’t just visual anchors, telling us where we are; but temporal anchors too, telling us where we’ve come from. This expertly curated collection documents the most significant, beautiful and curious street signs, from enamel plates to incised lettering, the simplest cast iron signs to gloriously ornamental architectural plaques. It’s a visual and typographical journey through the history of a great metropolis. Along the way, the fascinating stories behind these unassuming treasures are uncovered, revealing where they came from before being affixed to brick or stone for decades to come. We’re introduced to the iconic nameplates of the City of Westminster, the stunning tiled signs of Hampstead and the revival nameplates of Lambeth, as well as the ghost signs of the no-longer existent NE postal district. London Street Signs is a striking visual record of our collective history that will appeal to design and history enthusiasts alike.

Signs of Success Discover what the pros know with this hands-on, how-to guide to picking advertising signs. Learn what seasoned collectors look for and what they value in this easy-to-follow and indispensable pocket guide. YOU'LL UNCOVER: • The best categories of signs: beer, Coca-Cola, petroliana, food and drink, farm and implement, home and garden, and neon signs • Practical strategies from top buyers and sellers • What to look for and where to find it • How to flip the signs you pick • Common fakes and reproductions Whether for pleasure or profit, the Picker's Pocket Guide is a real find.