May 1924 Signs of the Times Celebrates Burgeoning Industry

Century-Old Line of Credit

OUR MAY 1924 cover featured a new Signs of the Times logo that would be short-lived, replaced later the same year. Note the illustration includes a sign with “Signs of the Times” atop the tallest building. Marking the magazine’s 19th anniversary, the editor celebrated the sign biz advances: “Then disorganized, wavering … now a powerful force among industries … Great has been the improvement of every branch of the sign and outdoor display industry … Friends of Signs of the Times have been liberal enough to ascribe to this journal some credit for a part of this advance.” A copy sold for 30 cents, a subscription for three dollars. See complete issues of Signs of the Times dating from 1906 to 1921 at signsofthetimes.com/archive.

• Once Upon a Time
  There were sign schools, such as Superior Sign School (Chicago) which offered “Individual Instruction. Day and Evening Classes.” For $10 down, $5 per week until the course was paid for, “if you desire to succeed we can show you how.” What most sign companies would do if such sign schools were around today!