BUSINESS SYMBOLS

BUSINESS SYMBOLS. In the early years of the westward movement, many of the settlers could read very little. Business owners, therefore, developed symbols that could instantly be recognized by people passing along.

Because of their long association with tobacco, images of Native Americans were used by merchants of tobacco products.

Pharmacists used the symbol still often seen today

Those seeking dental work would have easily identified with this symbol

This symbol would have left little doubt to shoppers.

The razor would have invited customers inside for a shave.

Timepieces needed cleaning and adjustment and this sign showed where such work could be done.

The medieval Lombard merchants used the three golden spheres as a symbol. They are said to have hung the spheres in front of their houses. In Europe, a pawn shop was called the Lombard. In London, England, a banking family was called The House of Lombard. The golden spheres are believed to have represented byzants, which were gold coins at the time. The representation of the gold coins was laid upon a sable field in a heraldic manner. Later, the coins were changed to spheres to help attract more attention from passersby.