Here we have a vintage Fountain of Youth bumper sign, a fascinating piece of ephemera from St. Augustine, Florida. This unique piece of automotive history takes us back prior to the 1940s, a time before bumper stickers.
Before bumper stickers became a ubiquitous form of personal expression on our vehicles, bumper signs, like this one, were crafted from printed cardboard with holes in the corners. These signs could be affixed to a car's bumper using wire or string. While they allowed drivers to showcase their affiliations and interests, they weren't known for their weather resistance. Attempts were made to weatherize these signs with varnishes, shellac, or wax, but success was elusive, and not many exist intact today.
The Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine is steeped in legend, famously associated with the explorer Ponce De Leon's quest for the mystical waters that promise everlasting youth. This remarkable site beckons visitors to sip from its magical springs and explore a wealth of exhibits and historical attractions within the 15-acre Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. While historical evidence doesn't definitively confirm it as Ponce De Leon's 1513 landing site in Florida, the park has earned its place as a captivating piece of history. It features a well believed to be the freshwater source described in historical accounts, and archaeological excavations have unveiled remnants of St. Augustine's first Spanish settlement and its fortifications.
This vintage Fountain of Youth bumper sign not only offers a nostalgic glimpse into the evolution of vehicle adornment but also serves as a unique piece of St. Augustine's history. This piece of auto ephemera would look stunning framed and hung on a wall. Whether displayed as a conversation starter in your home or as part of your automotive memorabilia collection, it's a tangible piece of the past that sparks curiosity and tells a story of the days when cars proudly wore their interests on their "sleeves."
Condition:
This bumper sign is in decent vintage condition, considering its age and that it's made out of a heavy card-stock paper. It does show some wear from use on a vehicle and storage over the years. Most notably, there is a split down the middle that is being held together with tape, the corners and edges show some wear, and there's some discoloration in spots to the background.
Size:
The bumper sign measures about 22 inches long and 6.5 inches wide.
We have many of other license plates, find them here!
Let customers speak for us
great license plate thank you and great price
a splendid modern sommerso vase sent quickly and packed with care. thanks !!
Very happy with this item. It's such a beautiful topper. It was exactly as pictured, packaged carefully, and shipped quickly.
Very nice quality - arrived in great condition.
Everything went well and very quickly
Wonderful vintage Pennants from times gone by. Excellent quality. Great communication, fast shipping and great packaging too. Definitely reccomend this seller.
Thank you for the fast shipping and the care you took to ensure it was well protected in shipping. I love the insulator, it is flawless, and already on my bookshelf where I can enjoy looking at it.
Wow! Item arrived faster from you than orders placed recently with big companies.
I Appreciated the personal note. My item was very well packaged and lovely. It has a good home here too
Thank you!!
Item exactly as promised and delivered quickly. Very happy. Recommend buying from these people.
The item was exactly as described and arrived quickly. I was very happy with my purchase!
Great company to work with
Love it! Thanks!
I was blown away by how carefully these bottles were packaged! The seller took great care to ensure they would arrive intact. I would definitely purchase from this seller again.
Great communication with seller! Fast shipping on hard to find items.
Arrived very quickly. Packaged well. very pleased.