Tin Sign
Tin Sign
A Few Facts About Tin Collectables
For ages, food suppliers and other commercial enterprises have used packaging to market themselves. In yesteryear, food processors sold their edibles in tin containers to guarantee the consumer a fresh product. These containers were colorfully designed and featured the company brand. Tins like these were used for various types of food products, such as cookies, crackers, candies and soup. Soon after, many industries followed suit, and it wasn't long before you could buy almost any type of goods in a tin container. Over the years, these tins became popular collectibles.
Top quality antique tins can cost a good deal of money. However, for a person keen on starting a tin collection, it doesn't have to be expensive. The amateur collector should seek out tin containers made in the 1950's. Something that was made at that time is already halfway to "antique" status, and therefore is a good choice. To be considered an actual antique tin however, it has to be at least 100 years old or earlier.
When it comes to pricing tins, 3 factors are taken into consideration: branding, condition and availability. For example, Coca Cola makes have always been expensive, with some of their antique trays costing hundreds of dollars. This is because of the Coca Cola name, and the fact that they were made in limited quantities. Tins that were mass-produced, like some of the old coffee cans, are not expensive and are easy to find. You Can pretty much get them at any garage sale or flea market.
If you are serious about tin collecting, then you first need to decide whether you wish to focus on one product or many. Also, do you want to collect vintage tins or will a nice reproduction suffice? Once you make your decision, it's a good idea to pick up a guide that lists a variety of well-established tins and their present market price. This way, you can assess the value of any tin collectable that might interest you. Let's briefly review some of the main guidelines for tin collecting.
Condition
To be worth the purchase, an aged tin shouldn't be dented; the pictures should be clear and any writing legible. The paint should not be chipped or scratched. A dirty container can be cleaned by letting it soak in warm water with a bit of soap. It is not wise to scrub an aged tin or use anything rough like a scouring pad to clean it. Furthermore, do not use bleach!
Branding
This is where your guide pays off. Analyze it and learn the various brand names. For instance, Uneeda Biscuit was the forerunner to Nabisco, one of the world's largest cookie manufacturers. A tin acquisition like this could be quite valuable. Also, tins that were sold as a seasonal promotion or in celebration of a company's anniversary, are worth buying.
Availability
Basically, the rule of thumb in this case is that if a tin can was mass-produced, then it won't have as much value. While a tin that was sold in limited quantities and had a brand name, might sell for quite a bit of money.
Is it Real or a Reproduction?
Back when the tin craze first began, copies of collectible tins began to spring up everywhere. Coca Cola, of course was the first to be copied; and since the quality was Very Good, some individuals were duped into purchasing them for the cost of an original. Once again, this is where your research or guide can be put to good use.
Collecting aged or antique tins is an enjoyable activity and can add an interesting touch to your home decor. As long as you familiarize yourself with the guidelines, it should be easy for you to find some great bargains. For more information on the subject we welcome you to visit our online store, Fine Tin Collectables.
About the Author
Elena Myskina, Antiques Consultant
http://finetincollectables.com
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Marklin H0 shell for SET 800 green electr loco diecast |  |
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US $59.00 | 8h 56m |
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1946 47 lionel tin type 2472 caboose | 0 Bid | US $15.99 | 10h 32m |
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Marklin H0 heavy goods electr engine E44 SET 800 | |
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US $155.00 | 21h 36m |
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Marx New York Central NYC Caboose 20102 Red Gray 3 16 Scale S Gauge Vintage Rare | |
0 Bid | US $12.99 | 2d 33m |
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Marx New York Central NYC Boxcar 174580 Red Gray 3 16 Scale S Gauge Vintage Rare | |
2 Bids | US $13.99 | 2d 40m |
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Hornby EDL17 Locomotive Tin Plate Train Carriages | |
2 Bids | US $16.64 | 2d 1h 4m |
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5Pc Vintage HAFNER Tin Lithograph Train with 4 cars 1 engine Blue cream color | |
0 Bid | US $69.99 | 2d 4h 3m |
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Big Scale tin plate traffic sign set village accessory | |
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US $33.00 | 2d 4h 6m |
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LIONEL PREWAR TIN LITHO BOX CAR 655 CREAM WITH MAROON ROOF O GAUGE VERY NICE | |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 2d 4h 38m |
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LIONEL LINES PREWAR TIN LITHO CABOOSE 2657 RED WITH MAROON O GAUGE VERY NICE | |
1 Bid | US $7.99 | 2d 4h 47m |
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00 gauge Vintage Welkut models wooden railway platform | |
0 Bid | US $7.91 | 2d 5h 13m |
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Marx 35461 PFE Reefer Boxcar Southern Pacific SP 3 16 Scale S Gauge Vintage Rare | |
3 Bids | US $20.50 | 2d 5h 57m |
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Marx 7 7 Inch 37956 Pennsylvania Merchandise Service Boxcar Vintage Rare | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 2d 6h 19m |
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Z scale scratch built FULL SERVICE TEXACO STATION | |
0 Bid | US $49.00 | 2d 9h 32m |
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ABT Seven Assorted Pictures and Tin Signs No Reserve | 0 Bid | US $9.99 | 2d 10h 11m |
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American Flyer 2206 or 4206 wide gauge Highway Flashing Signal original EX | |
4 Bids | US $16.50 | 2d 11h 39m |
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HO electric daylight signal TRIX Germany Tageslichtsignal elektrisch tin plate | |
0 Bid | US $30.00 | 2d 15h 43m |
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Marklin HO Scale Digital IV Le Capitole Express Train | |
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US $799.57 | 2d 16h 15m |
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12 Edge Connectors for Tortoise Switch Machine NEW | |
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US $32.95 | 7d 19h 59m |
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TO TRAINS ARROW vintage model railroad train set sign | |
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US $14.99 | 3d 9h 44m |
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Prewar Marx Train 2 Tin Accessory Lot Caution High Speed Trains Sign Semaphore | |
5 Bids | US $5.50 | 3d 9h 49m |
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LIONEL TRAIN ORIG 156 256 356 STATION FENCE SIGNS RIVAL SUNOCO BABY RUTH | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 3d 10h 18m |
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LIONEL MARX O SCALE TRAIN 12 PIECE LOT LIGHTS SIGNALS CROSSING GATES SWITCH | |
0 Bid | US $39.95 | 2d 8h 50m |
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Hallmark 1929 Lionel Catalog cover Tin sign | |
0 Bid | US $7.99 | 3d 22h 6m |
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Stream Line Electric TrainNo7844 with box | |
3 Bids | US $21.13 | 1d 23h 37m |
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LIONEL POSTWAR O GAUGE 156 EARLY BAKELITE STATION PLATFORM 3544 | |
0 Bid | US $79.99 | 4d 9h 25m |
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CHESAPEAKE OHIO RR SYSTEM MAP 1894 TIN SIGN | |
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US $8.00 | 3d 7h 27m |
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POSTWAR LIONEL 256 LIGHTED FREIGHT STATION | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 4d 10h 20m |
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Vintage Tin Train Set | |
0 Bid | US $19.95 | 4d 11h 8m |
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6 Edge Connectors for Tortoise Switch Machine NEW | |
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US $16.95 | 7d 19h 59m |
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1957 MARX O Gauge 91257 Seaboard TIN LITHO Gondola Hopper CAR Red | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 4d 11h 34m |
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MARX O Gauge 20102 New York Central NYC TIN LITHO Caboose CAR Red | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 4d 11h 38m |
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Rare Play Worn Japanese Vintage Tin Toy Red Mail Bus 6 1 2 INCH Modern Toy | |
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US $99.99 | 4d 11h 38m |
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VINTAGE Rare Pre War Marx Tin Union Bus or Train Station Waiting Room | |
1 Bid | US $99.99 | 2d 2h 17m |
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TRAINS O GAUGE SF CABLE CAR TIN PLATE FRICTION CAR 9365S4 | |
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US $17.95 | 5d 1h 43m |
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Tinplate Railroad Station KARL BUB Nürnberg KBN Germnay | |
0 Bid | US $99.00 | 3d 1h 19m |
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5 PIECE LIONEL TRAIN ACCESSORY STOP LIGHT SIGN FLAGMAN GATE PARTS | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 5d 6h 18m |
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Lionel K Line Tin Sign Replicas 6 22477 Ringling Bros Tin Signs 6 22472 NIP | |
0 Bid | US $2.99 | 5d 8h 8m |
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RIGHT TO TRAINS ARROW SIGN Model Railroad Train Engine Set Collector Sign NEW | |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 6d 6h 54m |
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LEFT TO TRAINS ARROW TIN SIGN Model Railroad Train Engine Set Collector Sign NEW | |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 6d 6h 54m |
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VINTAGE HO SCALE PARTIAL SINGLE DOME TANK CAR NO ORIGINAL BOX SPRUNG TRUCKS | |
0 Bid | US $1.95 | 6d 12h 26m |
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Tin Train Caboose 556 | |
0 Bid | US $7.50 | 7d 1h 32m |
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German tin prewar spring operated station marklin Bing | |
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US $115.00 | 7d 9h 3m |
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SHRUBS model railroad train layout O SCALE 8 pc | |
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US $10.99 | 9d 9h 40m |
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Edge Connector for Tortoise Switch Machine NEW | |
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US $2.95 | 17d 19h 52m |
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Fleischmann HO Vintage 1440 1441USA Double Decker Santa Fe Coaches lot of 3 | |
0 Bid | US $1.99 | 8d 10h 4m |
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Fleischmann HO Vintage 1440 1441USA Double Decker Santa Fe Coaches lot of 4 | |
0 Bid | US $1.99 | 8d 10h 4m |
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Fleischmann HO Vintage 1534 SJ Sweden Passenger Coaches lot of 2 Plastic | |
1 Bid | US $1.99 | 8d 10h 4m |
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Fleischmann HO Vintage 1506 33235 1510 1160 DB Passenger Coaches lot of 4 | |
0 Bid | US $1.99 | 8d 10h 4m |
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Fleischmann HO Vintage 1416 Swiss SBB Passenger Coaches lot of 3 | |
3 Bids | US $3.25 | 8d 10h 4m |
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Fleischmann HO Vintage 1442 1443 SNCF French Passenger Coaches lot of 2 w boxes | |
2 Bids | US $5.60 | 8d 10h 4m |
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Fleischmann HO Vintage 1526 SNCF French Passenger Coaches lot of 2 w boxes | |
2 Bids | US $2.49 | 8d 10h 4m |
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Fleischmann HO Tinplate Vintage USA Box cars Lot of 3 Hoosier and Santa Fe 1428 | |
3 Bids | US $6.29 | 8d 10h 5m |
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Fleischmann HO Vintage Tinplate USA Box cars Lot of 3 Wabash Maine Blatz 1428 | |
2 Bids | US $2.24 | 8d 10h 5m |
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Fleischmann HO Tinplate Vintage USA Box car Blatz 1428 Metal Wheels EX w BOX | |
3 Bids | US $3.25 | 8d 10h 5m |
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VINTAGE STYLE BILLBOARD KIT BLANK 187th HO SCALE | |
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US $9.99 | 28d 12h 27m |
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American Model Builders N 645 Nine Mile House Tavern | |
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US $33.99 | 2d 5h 26m |
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O N HO Gauge Scale Aluminum Reflective Signs Decals | |
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US $7.99 | 29d 11h 42m |
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VINTAGE HORNBY TIN O GAUGE MODEL RAILWAY FLAT TRUCK WAGON train set engine loco | |
0 Bid | US $15.83 | 9d 5h 19m |
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VINTAGE 1940S RETRO LIONEL TRAIN SET TIN SIGN 1948 art Locomotive tracks boy | |
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US $26.99 | 23d 21h 17m |
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K Line 6 22482 Vintage Tin Sign Replica 4pk | |
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US $13.79 | 22d 6h 5m |
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Lionel 22477 KL Lionel Tin Sign Replica mint 148 size | |
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US $18.99 | 29d 10h 21m |
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K LINE TRAINS 6 22472 RINGLING BROS TIN SIGN REPLICA 4 PACK | |
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US $14.49 | 28d 6h 38m |
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Train Railroad Engine Silverdale Run Mountains Poster Tin Sign Balylock | |
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US $11.95 | 27d 11h 14m |
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Fleschmann Germany 1 87 HO load open wagon tin carouser | |
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US $9.99 | 29d 22h 26m |
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Vintage 1940 50s O scale MARX or Lionel Railroad Crossing Danger Sign Tin Litho | |
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US $15.95 | 25d 9h 35m |
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