American Petroliana Period Porcelain 'Texaco Gasoline Motor Oil' Service Station Sign
LANGUAGE UNLOCK
Glossary Roundup
Original Presentation Script
Let’s roll into a classic: an American Petroliana Period Porcelain ‘Texaco Gasoline Motor Oil’ round sign. It’s the big red star with the green T—Texaco’s calling card—built to shout brand identity from a forecourt a block away.
The tagline “Made by The Texas Company” and the typography land us in the 1930s–1940s, a golden era of branded service stations and porcelain signage.
Porcelain enamel on steel, likely double-sided, the piece shows layered chipping at the mounting points and honest rust bleed—a story told in road dust and weather.
Condition? It’s lived a life: heavy porcelain loss, several added holes, and edge knocks. That knocks value but not charm—collectors still chase authentic examples because they anchor a garage or collection like few objects can.
Authenticity remains probable but unconfirmed without a look at the back or a maker’s stamp; I’m calling it at 55% on the authenticity scale. Value shakes out at $800–$1,500 if period, or $150–$300 if reproduction. Either way, it’s a star with plenty of mileage—and it still turns heads.
Used for this report's TTS and avatar presentation.
Item Report
American Petroliana Period Porcelain 'Texaco Gasoline Motor Oil' Service Station Sign
By:The Texas Company (Texaco); specific porcelain maker not visible
Materials:Porcelain enamel on steel (likely double-sided)
Age:circa 1930–1945 (use of 'Made by The Texas Company' and red star/green T logo)
Condition:Fair (heavy porcelain loss and rusting, multiple extra holes, edge bends; unrestored)
Value:If authentic: $800–$1,500 (auction, given heavy wear). If a reproduction: $150–$300.
Maker's Marks / Writing:Visible: 'TEXACO', 'REG. T.M.', 'MADE BY THE TEXAS COMPANY'. No porcelain maker’s stamp visible in the photo.
Date:2025-11-02 14:46:34.160724
Description:
Large round porcelain-on-steel service station sign with Texaco red star and green T, black TEXACO lettering across the star, and a red outer band reading GASOLINE • MOTOR OIL. Inner legend reads “MADE BY THE TEXAS COMPANY” with “REG. T.M.” under the star. Typical of forecourt identity signs used at Texaco stations; likely the 42-inch size, possibly double-sided.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
Classic Texaco round porcelain sign with correct period typography, layout, and 'The Texas Company' tag. Surface shows extensive porcelain loss, rust bleed, edge dings, and several extra holes—consistent with hard outdoor use. Absence of a visible maker’s stamp (e.g., Veribrite/Tennessee Enamel) and no view of the reverse leave room for doubt. A word about fakes.. petroliana signs are among the most reproduced collectibles; this exact Texaco design is widely reissued and sometimes artificially aged. Additional photos of the back, edge profile, and any porcelain layering would help confirm.
Individual Images:
none
Provenance:
None provided.
Condition:
Fair (heavy porcelain loss and rusting, multiple extra holes, edge bends; unrestored)
Identification Score: 95%
Iconic Texaco layout, wording, and logo identify it confidently as a Texaco Gasoline Motor Oil round porcelain service-station sign.
Authenticity Score: 55%
Aged porcelain and correct legend suggest period manufacture, but lack of back-side images, maker’s stamp, and the prevalence of convincing reproductions prevent a higher score.
Image Memory Note
None
None
Keywords
Texaco, Gasoline Motor Oil, porcelain sign, petroliana, service station sign, advertising, United States, 42-inch round, double-sided
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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