Sign - Original bilingual customs sign. - Plastic
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Selected by Ashley Calvert
He has 15 years of experience trading 20th century glass and antiques.
Estimate € 220 - € 250
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Original bilingual French–English customs sign from France, dating to the 1960s–1970s, made of hard plastic, 25 × 56 cm, in good used condition with minor signs of age.
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Description from the seller
Original bilingual customs sign “Douanes / Customs” from the 60s–70s
Authentic original customs sign dating from the 1960s/1970s, concrete testimony of the European institutional signage of the post-war era. The inscription “DOUANES / CUSTOMS” is made with raised plastic letters, applied to a sturdy rectangular base, with a refined color contrast: French in deep black, English in bright red, a visual choice designed to ensure immediate legibility and authority.
The use of bilingual French and English, together with the formal and functional style of the piece, strongly suggests a provenance from a border or customs control context related to the Franco-British area, plausibly used in a port or international transit customs between France and the United Kingdom, such as the Channel crossings, where the flow of goods and people made clear and immediate communication essential.
The surface shows a patina consistent with its age, light signs of time that certify its authenticity and enhance its vintage charm, without compromising its aesthetic impact. A piece with strong character, ideal for collectors of original signage, for industrial spaces, lofts, creative studios, or as a scenographic element with notable historical presence.
Dimensions: 25 x 56 cm.
Please look closely at the photos, which are an integral part of the item description. Fast shipping with tracking code and careful packaging.
Original bilingual customs sign “Douanes / Customs” from the 60s–70s
Authentic original customs sign dating from the 1960s/1970s, concrete testimony of the European institutional signage of the post-war era. The inscription “DOUANES / CUSTOMS” is made with raised plastic letters, applied to a sturdy rectangular base, with a refined color contrast: French in deep black, English in bright red, a visual choice designed to ensure immediate legibility and authority.
The use of bilingual French and English, together with the formal and functional style of the piece, strongly suggests a provenance from a border or customs control context related to the Franco-British area, plausibly used in a port or international transit customs between France and the United Kingdom, such as the Channel crossings, where the flow of goods and people made clear and immediate communication essential.
The surface shows a patina consistent with its age, light signs of time that certify its authenticity and enhance its vintage charm, without compromising its aesthetic impact. A piece with strong character, ideal for collectors of original signage, for industrial spaces, lofts, creative studios, or as a scenographic element with notable historical presence.
Dimensions: 25 x 56 cm.
Please look closely at the photos, which are an integral part of the item description. Fast shipping with tracking code and careful packaging.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Country of origin
France
Material
Plastic
Model
Original bilingual customs sign.
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
25 cm
Width
56 cm
Estimated period
1960-1970
