STOP SEARCHING.
START FINDING.
You know exactly what's missing from your collection. The problem isn't knowing what you want; it's finding it before someone else does. Whether it's the Mobil sign that reminds you of your grandfather's garage or the perfect piece that completes the story you're telling on your wall, we understand what these signs mean to you. Welcome to Robert's network, where some collector relationships have lasted decades.
THE VINTAGE SIGN MARKET MOVES IN MINUTES,
NOT DAYS
PUBLIC AUCTIONS ARE ALREADY TOO LATE
By the time you see a piece listed online, serious collectors have already received calls and made offers. The best pieces never reach public listings - they're sold through dealer networks before you even know they exist.
THE TIME INVESTMENT NEVER ENDS
Scrolling endless listings, vetting unknown sellers, coordinating authentication, managing international shipping, calculating tariffs - all while missing opportunities because you have a job, a life, and limited hours to hunt.
GEOGRAPHICS KEEP YOU LIMITED
The most exceptional pieces are often in Europe and other parts of the world, but navigating international dealers, verifying authenticity overseas, and coordinating complex logistics feels overwhelming. American collectors miss out on signs they've never even seen.
THE TRUTH?
Serious collectors aren't hunting on eBay.
They have someone hunting FOR them.
JOIN ROBERT'S TRUSTED NETWORK
This isn't a finder's fee service.
This is VIP access to a 30-year dealer network built on reputation, relationships, and results. For everyone else, collecting is a hobby. For Robert, this is his profession, a profession he takes seriously.
1
TELL US WHAT YOU'RE BUILDING
Share your collection focus, wish list specifics, or general acquisition parameters. We learn what makes your collection tick - brands, eras, aesthetic preferences, investment goals.
But we dig deeper: Why did you fall in love with Shell signs? What memories does that first Texaco piece trigger? Are you building a tribute to your father's gas station, or creating an investment legacy for your children? The more Robert understands not just what you collect but why it matters to you, the better he can recognize pieces that belong in your portfolio, and in your story.
2
WE HUNT WHILE YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE
When Robert encounters pieces matching your criteria, at European shows, private sales, pre-auction sourcing, or through his international dealer network, you get the call FIRST. No public listing, no competitive bidding, just "I found something you need to see."
​
Robert's network spans both American and European markets. His reputation throughout the U.S. dealer community means early access to specialty acquisitions and private sales before public listings. His European connections, built over decades and strengthened through in-person relationships, provide American collectors access to signs they're just discovering they love.
3
REAL TIME DECISIONS, REAL TIME ACQUISITION
The vintage sign market moves FAST. Robert often acquires pieces in real-time at shows and auctions, sometimes while overseas. You'll get photos, details, and pricing. If you want it, we secure it immediately.
Timeline: Robert can typically source and secure pieces within 7-10 days through his network. Rare pieces requiring extensive authentication or specific auction timing may take 30-90 days. Complete delivery (including international shipping) averages 2-4 weeks from commitment.
4
WE HANDLE EVERYTHING ELSE
Authentication, shipping coordination (including international logistics and tariffs), and delivery timing: all handled. You get museum-quality pieces delivered to your door without the headache.
Collectors who respond quickly and honor commitments get priority access to premium pieces. Think of it as building trust in Robert's black book, the resource long-time collectors would pay anything to access.
RELATIONSHIPS THAT LAST DECADES
NOT TRANSACTIONS
Our reputation wasn't built on volume, it was built on depth. Some of our collector relationships span decades, with multi-million dollar portfolios assembled piece by piece through Robert's network. These aren't just clients; they've become lifelong friends.
​
This is what happens when you move slowly, prioritize bespoke over speed, and treat collecting as the deeply personal journey it actually is. Our longtime collectors work exclusively with us not because we're the only option, but because thirty years of trust, expertise, and genuine friendship can't be replicated.
​
We're not interested in quick-flip wholesale relationships with dealers chasing margins. We're building partnerships with collectors who want a trusted advisor for the long haul, someone who knows their collection as intimately as they do, who remembers what they're hunting for, and who calls when something extraordinary surfaces because "this one has your name on it."
That's the relationship we're offering.
If you're looking for a one-time transaction, we're probably not the right fit. But if you're building something meaningful that might take years to complete? Let's talk.
WHAT NETWORK ACCESS PROVIDES
PRE-MARKET ACCESS
First look at pieces before public sales, often while Robert is physically at shows or estate sales. You see opportunities before they hit online listings or auction catalogs.
​
REAL-TIME ACQUISITION
Pieces secured at shows and auctions while you're at work. Robert hunts professionally - this is his job, not a weekend hobby.​
​
​
INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS
Shipping, tariffs, conversions, customs coordination - we handle the complexity. Our European connections navigate what most American collectors find overwhelming.
​
FLEXIBLE WISH LISTS
Specific pieces ("the first sign I ever bought but sold years ago and now regret") or emotional themes ("signs that remind me of my dad's workshop" or "pieces that tell the story of American optimism"). We adapt to your collecting style, your memories, and how your vision evolves over time.
GLOBAL NETWORK
30+ years of trusted relationships spanning American and European markets. Access to dealers, auction houses, and private collections most collectors will never reach independently.
AUTHENTICATION INCLUDED
Expert verification with every acquisition. We coordinate with trusted authentication partners when formal documentation is needed, and leverage European contacts for overseas verification.
NO FINDER'S FEE
Fair market pricing that reflects true acquisition cost plus the value of our network access, authentication expertise, and logistics coordination. One delivered price, no hidden charges.
​
EXCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS
Many of our longtime collectors (decade-plus relationships, million-dollar+ portfolios) work exclusively with Robert. When trust runs this deep, why complicate it?
​
​
​
Priority access isn't purchased - it's cultivated through the trust and reliability that define all exceptional collector relationships.
Unlike traditional antique and art dealers or sourcing services that charge finder's fees, retainers, or percentage commissions on TOP of the purchase price, we build sourcing into our fair market pricing.
Typical Acquisition Range: $2,500 - $25,000+
​
Pricing reflects:​
True acquisition cost (what Robert Smith Studios paid to secure the piece)
Authentication verification included
International shipping and logistics coordination
Network access value (pre-market positioning)
No separate finder's fees or retainers. One delivered price, everything included.
​
Higher-value pieces (museum-quality rarities) can exceed $50,000. During initial consultation, we'll discuss your investment parameters and collecting focus.
COST
FAIR MARKET PRICING, NO HIDING FEES
THE DIFFERENCE
LIZ SMITH
THE ROBERT SMITH STUDIOS DIFFERENCE
After 30 years in the vintage sign market, we've seen every type of dealer, from reputable professionals to corner-cutters who prioritize quick sales over collector relationships.
We built our network by being the people WE would want to work with: responsive, honest about condition and provenance, transparent about pricing, and committed to placing pieces with collectors who genuinely appreciate them.
​
Our reputation isn't just our business asset, it's how we sleep at night. We work with serious collectors who value professional standards and mutual respect. This selective approach ensures every piece goes to someone who truly appreciates its significance.
Is CUSTOM SOURCING
​Right for Your Collection?
You collect specific brands or themes and want first access when pieces surface
You're preserving family history or honoring someone's legacy through the signs they loved
You value time more than searching - let the expert hunt while you live your life
You're ready to commit when the right piece surfaces: you know what you want and what you're willing to invest​
You're building a focused collection and need those final crucial pieces
You've spent months hunting for something specific and keep losing to faster buyers
You're decorating high-end spaces and need "the perfect piece" rather than browsing catalogs
You want a long-term advisor who knows your collection intimately, not transactional dealer relationships
Other dealers ask: What do you want to buy?
We ask: What story are you telling? What memories are you preserving? What legacy are you building?
FAQ
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT
CUSTOM SOURCING & ACQUISITIONS
