New York City E. 73rd Street at 2nd Avenue humpback street sign

Description

In the early 1910s, the rise of the automobile transformed city streets forever. As cars picked up speed, New York County—then encompassing both Manhattan and The Bronx—introduced a bold new street sign design that drivers could read at a glance. The distinctive “humpback” style was born.

These eye-catching signs made navigation simple and immediate. The large cross-street name stood front and center, while the street you were traveling along appeared inside the curved “hump.” Mounted on lampposts in sturdy iron brackets, they lined intersections across the city and quickly became an enduring symbol of New York City. Though modern highway standards and reflective materials eventually replaced them, their legacy still captures the spirit of old New York.

Now you can bring that legacy home. Our replica of the East 73rd Street and 2nd Avenue humpback sign lets you celebrate this corner in timeless style. We flat-print each sign on heavy steel and finish it with a rich gloss that recreates the look of vintage porcelain. Using detailed photographs of original signs, we’ve meticulously duplicated the historic text style and layout. The result is a stunning reproduction that delivers the look and feel of the originals—without the collector’s price tag.

Choose the size that fits your space. Go big with the original 22-inch length, or save space while keeping the impact with our scaled-down the 16½-inch version. Pick a right-facing version with mounting holes on the left, a left-facing version with holes on the right, or a double-sided option for maximum visibility. Every sign comes with four pre-drilled mounting holes, so you can mount it flush against the wall or recreate the classic lamppost display.

Make your space unforgettable and order your humpback sign today! (Want a sign like this for a different street corner in New York, or a street sign from another city? Contact us to custom-order a sign from your favorite street!)