MTFCA Forum

Looking for some photos of period signage that would have been used on any type of delivery vehicles 1900-15. Horse drawn wagons are fine as well. Looking for some ideas and styles to get a layout for my delivery car project.

Look for the many past forum posts by “Dollisdad”, aka Tom Rootleib, who has posted dozens of great period photos, with a generous sprinkling of commercial vehicles showing lettering.

Tbird wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 10, 2025 12:02 pm

Looking for some photos of period signage that would have been used on any type of delivery vehicles 1900-15. Horse drawn wagons are fine as well. Looking for some ideas and styles to get a layout for my delivery car project.

This Google Search will give you some ideas. https://www.google.com/search?q=black+a ... ws-wiz-img

You can colorize with this https://www.img2go.com/colorize-image

Ten years off from your requested time period, but this was my '25 TT when I brought it home. Spent its life as a parcel delivery truck.

This would tie into the Railroading crowd.

Depends on what type of vehicle you are putting the sign on, but here are a few examples. If you spend some time searching the internet, you will continue to come up with a lot of examples. Eventually, something will speak to you as to the look, lettering, patina, etc.

I have a limited bit of original signage on my hood, can't seem to upload the photo on mobile. Will try again when back home.

I was able to use examples of original text from photos in an original sales catalogue for the agency that selling Model Ts

Here's one, hand enamelled, showing original artwork. It took 3 weeks for the illustration mostly drying time between colours Allan from down under.

There are multiple examples of early signwriting on vehicles in a book titled "Delivery Trucks", one of the Crestline series, compiled by Donald F. Wood and published by MBI Publishing Company Osceola, WI. Unfortunately, it is printed in black and white.

Allan from down under.

Ben Ostergren discovered a large cache of glass negatives detailing the output of a commercial body builders in New Jersey. He had some sets of photos made from these negatives, and he very generously gave me a whole set.
Most are of 20's vehicles, including many heavy trucks and buses. These are a few of the lighter vehicles. I have selected those with greatest contrast. Again these are in black and white. Allan from down under.

This is all great stuff guys! Keep adding more if you have some more content.

Well, now I want that wrecker!

I wish we still had the desire to build these unique vehicles

Scott

Home again, here's my livery.

Here is one that brings back lots of old memories of the family, farm, and the truck.
It now resides @ Piquette for all to see.
I snagged this picture of it from Facebook.

Not a great pic, but I found this in a salvage yard 5 yrs ago