Museum Metadata Exchange

Names

Name PrimaryTin Sign collection

IDs

ID LocalNMM 4

ID UriOffline Only

Descriptions

Brief DescriptionA collection of tin signs advertising various motoring-related products. Tin signs comprise a steel sheet which is usually stamped to create embossed lettering and/or an image, then coated with a vitreous enamel finish in a variety of colours. These signs advertised a variety of motoring related items and accessories, including petrol, tyres, sparkplugs etc.

SignificanceIt was quickly realised by the purveyors of various motoring-related goods and services that in order to advertise their products along the sides of roads, and particularly at petrol or service stations, they required a robust yet visually striking medium. Tin signs, with their vitreous enamelled finish were selected because they were able to be mass manufactured, could be easily pressed in to a variety of shapes and had a robust finish which required little to no care or attention and yet remained bright and attractive. [np]The tin sign collection illustrates the variety of products required by early Australian motorists. It also documents early motoring-related businesses with signs commonly displaying a company's corporate colours, logos, and/or a visual representation of the product itself. These tin signs were gradually phased out with the introduction of neon or fluorescent signage, which had the advantage of being easily seen at night.

AccessA National Motor Museum collection. Access to collection items held in Museum Stores is by appointment only.

Subjects

pontAdvertisements; Advertising signs

scotAdvertisements; Marketing; Road vehicles; Signage

localAdvertising; Garagiana; Marketing; Petroliana; Tin Signs

person_orgNational Motor Museum, South Australia

Coverage Spatial

TextAustralia

Coverage Temporal

From1905

To1965

Related Collections

Dates

Date Record Updated2012-05-30 23:40

Date Created in MME2011-03-04 13:46