MTA Holds Garage Sale for Vintage Signs
On Thursday, the MTA organized a large garage sale featuring old signs, attracting crowds eager to find unique subway station decorations and other collectibles.
Many transit fans arrived at Brooklyn’s Collectibles pop-up shop to hunt for iconic subway signs. Among the visitors was Debi Mazar, known for her role in “Goodfellas” and various TV shows.
“I picked up an old MTA sign from probably the 1980s,” Mazar mentioned. “It’s not one of the really, really old ones, but still.” She shared that she chose it for its portability, saying, “I could take it on the plane. I’m a nostalgic New Yorker.” Mazar waited in line and ended up spending $500 to get an autograph.
“I avoid taxis due to patience issues,” she added, reflecting on her upbringing in Queens.
Many others joined the line at the pop-up event, looking for everything from G Train signs to ones from 34th Street Penn Station and Hudson Yards. Some attendees mentioned plans to hang them in their homes or incorporate them into art projects.
Zach Temkin, a 32-year-old software designer, shared, “We bought a G station sign since we use the G a lot. It felt like a good choice, and the price was reasonable.” He paid $150 for it.
Anu Jashin, also 32, noted how they intended to repurpose the subway’s “wheelchair accessibility” signs for a project, saying, “We just got these two signs and want to make them into ramps as an art piece.”
Jelani Triskell, a 29-year-old bartender, selected caution signs and other decorative items. “It’s more practical than the other stuff since it’s just a decoration. I also got a Cadman Plaza exit sign because my sister and I went to high school nearby; it feels nostalgic,” he explained.
Vera Virgilia, 29 and an engineer, mentioned her enthusiasm for signs prohibiting bicycles. “I noticed signs saying, ‘Bicycles and other objects attached to this railing will be removed,’ and since I enjoy biking, I thought it’d be fun to display this near the bikes.” She appreciated the green paint on the backside that was used for railings.
Some attendees bought gifts for train lovers. “My second son, who’s 26, has always been a train enthusiast. I wanted to surprise him, so I grabbed a couple of signs,” recounted Adrian Booth, 61. “One of them indicates several trains marked in Herald Square.” He added, “It was easy to carry, and it didn’t cost $2,500.”
For the first time, this event will operate on a first-come, first-served basis rather than requiring reservations, taking place again on Friday at 23 Avenue X in Gravesend.
