While traversing the cornfields and rolling hills of Nebraska, travelers often stumble upon an eclectic mix of roadside attractions. Among these hidden gems are antique advertising collectors, individuals passionate about preserving historical artifacts that once touted the wonders of big business. One such collector is Kerry Chace of Hastings, Nebraska, whose collection boasts over 10,000 antique advertising relics. Chace's obsession stems from a chance encounter with a 1950s-era Coca-Cola sign, which sparked a lifelong quest to accumulate vintage items that showcase the evolution of American marketing.

From rare tin signs to wooden barrelheads, antique advertising collectors seek out the most obscure and nostalgic relics to add to their collections. Tom McCloskey of Lincoln, Nebraska, is particularly drawn to early 20th-century dairy company signs, stating that they "represent a bygone era of American history." McCloskey's prized possessions include a 1930s-era Meadow Gold Dairy sign, valued at over $1,000 due to its rarity. Nebraska's antique advertising collectors often scour local flea markets, antique stores, and estate sales to find the most elusive items.

In Hastings, Nebraska, the city's Antiques and Vintage Shop hosts annual gatherings for local collectors to showcase their finds. According to Chace, these events offer collectors a chance to share knowledge and trade items, allowing them "to link the past with the present." By buying, selling, and trading vintage advertising items, collectors are not only preserving history but also perpetuating a passion for Nebraska's rich history.

Another hub for antique advertising enthusiasts in Nebraska is the Great Plains Blacksmithing Show in Seward. Each year, collectors from across the region gather to display their finds, share techniques for restoration, and offer items for sale. Some attendees consider this event a pilgrimage, during which they hunt for prized relics such as vintage pharmacy signs, bottle caps, and paper advertising memorabilia. Amidst the whirring of hammering and the smell of hot metal, seasoned collectors mingle with newcomers, as their shared passion for preserving history creates an evermore vibrant community.

Thanks to Nebraska's location at the crossroads of major American highways, its antique advertising collectors are uniquely positioned to access a wide range of collectibles from across the country. For instance, collectors have found valuable 19th-century advertisements from companies such as Colman's Mustard, produced in the state capital of Lincoln and then transported throughout the country via rail. The influence of early industry, agriculture, and transportation in shaping Nebraska's economic landscape created an incredible wealth of advertisements, which await discovery among the hills and byways of the Cornhusker State.

Some notable Nebraska-based antique advertising clubs and organizations include the Nebraska State Historical Society and the Custer County Antique Collectors Association, which support the preservation and appreciation of antique advertisements. With resources like these, it's little wonder that local collectors such as Chace and McCloskey can maintain extensive collections that amaze visitors from far and wide.

Fostering connections between vintage advertising enthusiasts throughout the state, online forums, local meetups, and major blacksmithing conventions nurture a spirit of camaraderie while paving a pathway for new discoveries and inspiration. To learn more about the lives of these intrepid collectors in Nebraska or elsewhere, curious travelers and enthusiasts may want to investigate clubs and collector circles associated with this intriguing subject.

Travelers visiting Nebraska might well consider exploring antique advertising through local sources such as flea markets and local shows, which regularly showcase antique advertisements that illustrate both regional tastes and American consumerism as a broader phenomenon.