WV-23 1922 (Virginia) (Road Sign) T-Shirt: Design Description
This t-shirt showcases a unique design that celebrates early 20th-century highway history, specifically the independent state-route numbering systems of West Virginia and Virginia in 1922. The artwork cleverly juxtaposes two distinct sign designs that would have existed concurrently but in entirely different states.
Visual Elements: A Tale of Two Signs
The design features two central visual elements: the road signs of WV-23 (West Virginia) and VA-23 (Virginia) as they appeared in 1922. The West Virginia sign is depicted as a square or rectangular plate, as was common at the time, featuring bold black lettering against a white background. The text reads "W VA" above "23" above "STATE ROAD," a stark, utilitarian style reflective of early road signage.
To its right, the Virginia sign is represented as a circular plate, a distinctive design already standardized in the state in 1922. The familiar white face with a black border encircles a large, centered "23", and the word "VIRGINIA" arches above, all rendered in black.
Meaning and Symbolism
The design's juxtaposition serves multiple purposes. It acknowledges the historical complexity of early road systems before the standardization of the U.S. Highway system, highlighting the independent state initiatives that paved the way for modern road infrastructure. The presence of both signs on a single design visually represents the divergent approaches to route designation in a shared era. The contrasting designs – square and rectangular versus circular – further symbolize the different aesthetic preferences of the two states.
For those interested in history, the design is a conversation starter about the evolution of road signs. It represents an era when roads were becoming increasingly important, and a road sign served as an official marker that identified state roads in the early days of automobile travel.
