A new industry has cropped up selling reproduction tin advertising signs, so the collector looking for the original variety must be savvy. Reproduction tin containers are cropping up, too, but mostly seem to appear at discount department stores rather than flea markets and thrift stores. Reproductions can usually be spotted by the brightness of their paint and their flawless condition. Genuine old tins will not have the bright-bright colors that reproductions do, due to aging and the kinds of inks and paints available at the time the tins were originally manufactured. The metal will not be as heavy gauge as the older tins, either.
New tins are very lightweight.
When shopping for vintage advertising tins, good sources are flea markets and rummage sales. Rummage sales will often yield very nice pieces for very low prices. Flea markets will be pricier and antique stores and auctions can be very expensive. Let family and friends know what you re collecting, they can probably find a few things in the attic or basement for you. Be careful to be very specific about what you want though or you will soon be overwhelmed with tins that don t fit your particular collection.