No. 101131451

Sold
Caution! High voltage. Danger to life! - Enamel sign - Enamel, Iron
Final bid
€ 62
6 days ago

Caution! High voltage. Danger to life! - Enamel sign - Enamel, Iron

“Caution! High Voltage – Danger to Life!” – Original Bulgarian Enamel Safety Sign (30 × 20 cm) This original enamel-on-metal safety sign from Communist-era Bulgaria carries a stark and unmistakable warning: “Внимание! Високо напрежение. Опасно за живота!” — “Caution! High voltage. Danger to life!” Produced between the 1960s and 1980s, signs like this were installed near electrical substations, power rooms, factories, and industrial facilities, where exposure to live equipment posed a serious and immediate threat. The bold black lettering and striking red lightning bolt were designed to communicate danger instantly, even to those who could not read the text. What makes this piece especially collectible is its original vitreous enamel construction, a costly and durable method used at the time to ensure long-term visibility in harsh industrial environments. Many such signs were damaged, replaced, or discarded as technology and safety standards changed, making surviving examples increasingly uncommon. Today, this sign stands as a powerful visual reminder of a time when electricity was expanding rapidly across industry—and safety warnings carried life-or-death importance. It is both a compelling historical artifact and a strong example of mid-20th-century industrial graphic design. A rare and authentic piece for collectors of vintage safety signage, industrial design, or Eastern European Cold War history.

No. 101131451

Sold
Caution! High voltage. Danger to life! - Enamel sign - Enamel, Iron

Caution! High voltage. Danger to life! - Enamel sign - Enamel, Iron

“Caution! High Voltage – Danger to Life!” – Original Bulgarian Enamel Safety Sign (30 × 20 cm)

This original enamel-on-metal safety sign from Communist-era Bulgaria carries a stark and unmistakable warning:
“Внимание! Високо напрежение. Опасно за живота!” — “Caution! High voltage. Danger to life!”

Produced between the 1960s and 1980s, signs like this were installed near electrical substations, power rooms, factories, and industrial facilities, where exposure to live equipment posed a serious and immediate threat. The bold black lettering and striking red lightning bolt were designed to communicate danger instantly, even to those who could not read the text.

What makes this piece especially collectible is its original vitreous enamel construction, a costly and durable method used at the time to ensure long-term visibility in harsh industrial environments. Many such signs were damaged, replaced, or discarded as technology and safety standards changed, making surviving examples increasingly uncommon.

Today, this sign stands as a powerful visual reminder of a time when electricity was expanding rapidly across industry—and safety warnings carried life-or-death importance. It is both a compelling historical artifact and a strong example of mid-20th-century industrial graphic design.

A rare and authentic piece for collectors of vintage safety signage, industrial design, or Eastern European Cold War history.

Final bid
€ 62
Ashley Calvert
Expert
Estimate  € 160 - € 190

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