Maker's Marks / Writing:Text visible: 'GASOLINE • MOTOR OIL' around the rim; 'TEXACO' across the star; small 'REG. T.M.' below the star; 'MADE BY THE TEXAS COMPANY' along the bottom arc. No maker/date stamp visible in this image.
Date:2025-09-22 19:54:57.192113
Description:
Large round single-sided porcelain enamel advertising sign for Texaco (The Texas Company), with a red outer band reading 'GASOLINE • MOTOR OIL', white field, red five-pointed star, and green 'T' overprinted with black 'TEXACO'. Bottom arc reads 'MADE BY THE TEXAS COMPANY' with small 'REG. T.M.' below the star. Exhibits considerable age-related wear including rusting, edge chips, and several through-holes.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
Iconic early-mid 20th century Texaco advertising sign. The typography, red star with green 'T', and the legend 'MADE BY THE TEXAS COMPANY' align with pre-1959 corporate branding; this configuration is most commonly seen on 1930s–1940s porcelain signs. Condition is rough but honest, with scattered enamel losses, rust blooms, and several holes—consistent with long outdoor service. A word about fakes.. the petroliana category is saturated with modern reproductions and artificially aged signs. Originals typically show layered porcelain with glassy chips exposing dark steel, correct period fonts, proper spacing of the mounting holes, and (often) a maker/date mark on the rim or reverse (e.g., American Art Works, Veribrite, Tenn Enamel). Because the reverse, rim stamp, and exact diameter are not shown here, authenticity cannot be guaranteed from this single view; however, the wear pattern and construction appear plausible. If authenticated, this example’s heavy wear keeps it in a modest auction range.
The layout (red outer ring with 'GASOLINE • MOTOR OIL'), central red star with green 'T', 'TEXACO' logotype, and 'MADE BY THE TEXAS COMPANY / REG. T.M.' match well-documented Texaco porcelain advertising signs, leaving little doubt about the object type.
Authenticity Score: 55%
Surface patina and random enamel losses look organic, and typography appears correct; however, the category is heavily reproduced. No clear maker/date stamp or view of the reverse and rim thickness is provided, so I can only assign moderate confidence pending hands-on inspection.
Image Memory Note
Primary image shows a large round single-sided porcelain sign leaning outdoors against a corrugated yellow door and a stucco wall. Graphics: red outer ring with white block letters reading 'GASOLINE' on the upper half and 'MOTOR OIL' on the lower half, separated by centered dots. Inner white field contains a five-pointed red star; a green block letter 'T' is centered over the star, and the word 'TEXACO' in black sans-serif letters crosses the star slightly above center. Below the star point is small text 'REG. T.M.' The lower inner arc reads 'MADE BY THE TEXAS COMPANY'. Condition features: multiple rust blooms and enamel losses scattered across the face; several circular through-holes (one near the 'X' of TEXACO, another above the 'CO', others around the rim) that appear to be either corrosion or impact-related; significant edge chipping around the circumference, especially upper-left and lower-right; bent/dented rim areas; general soiling and oxidation. Mounting holes at typical clock positions appear worn with rust halos. No visible manufacturer or date stamp on the visible front; back side not shown; diameter not measured but appears large (likely 36–48 inches). Color palette: red, white, green, black. No additional inscriptions or stamps visible.
Keywords
Texaco, Gasoline Motor Oil, porcelain enamel sign, petroliana, American advertising, red star, green T, The Texas Company, 1930s, 1940s, United States
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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