COLLECTION
The New York Sign Museum collects unique and meaningful examples of 20th century signage, documentation of signage and other related resources, including photographs, documents and ephemera.
While NYSM is appreciative of all donation requests, we cannot accept everything. We also ask that NYSM is given as much lead time as possible to schedule the careful removal of your sign.
VIEW OUR COLLECTION HERE
Collection Policy
Scope of Collections
The NYSM Collections include salvaged signs from independent businesses circa 1900 to the present; historically accurate recreations of significant pieces; antique sign components and materials; advertising and paper ephemera; photographs; and primary source documents.
Accessions
The NYSM is primarily interested in acquiring signage types that are hand-painted, neon, acrylic, or gilded signs circa 1950-2000. NYSM is also open to acquiring signage examples that might not meet a certain standard in terms of physical quality, but include otherwise valuable criteria—such as historic significance or unique examples of type, material utilization, etc. Naive signs and professional quality signs should share space in the museum, as they do in our neighborhoods.
Collection Management
The New York Sign Museum retains the authority to manage the materials that comprise our collections through various measures, including: accession, deaccession, conservation, exhibitions and loans.