Item Report
Texaco Gasoline & Motor Oil Porcelain Advertising Sign
By: Texaco (The Texas Company)
Style: Vintage American Petroliana
Origin: United States
Materials: Porcelain enamel on steel
Age: circa 1930s-1950s
Condition: Good (heavy rust, chipping, bullet holes, typical for outdoor exposure)
Value: $600-$1,200 (auction estimate, condition considered)
Maker's Marks / Writing: Text present: 'TEXACO', large green 'T' in a red star; 'GASOLINE MOTOR OIL' around border; 'MADE BY THE TEXAS COMPANY' at base. Reg. T.M. below central T.
Date: 2025-06-10 14:44:39.779865
Description:
A large, vintage round porcelain advertising sign featuring the Texaco brand logo, with a red and green star and the word 'GASOLINE MOTOR OIL' in bold white lettering on a red border. Visible rust, chipping, and oxidation are present on the surface, typical for an outdoor sign exposed to the elements. This was used as a service station advertising display and dates from the mid-20th century, likely circa 1930s-1950s.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
Desirable piece of vintage petroliana with strong brand appeal and authentic weathered patina. The sign displays prominent surface oxidation and chipping, which is typical and often expected for such items. Highly collectible among automobilia and advertising collectors, though extensive rusting and bullet holes or mounting damage reduce overall value compared to near-mint examples.
Individual Images:
- There is significant surface rust and chipping
- especially around mounting holes and edges
- consistent with genuine age and prolonged outdoor use. Notable are several bullet holes or similar punctures across the face
- common in vintage roadside advertising. Lettering
- graphics
- and colors are otherwise intact and legible.
Provenance:
No provenance documentation provided.
Condition:
Good (heavy rust, chipping, bullet holes, typical for outdoor exposure)
Identification Score: 98%
The bold Texaco logo, porcelain material, color scheme, and weathered condition closely match authentic mid-20th century Texaco advertising signage; nearly certain identification.
Authenticity Score: 90%
The sign displays appropriate materials, wear, and graphics consistent with original Texaco signs from the era. While reproductions exist, the rust patterns and enameled surface with chipping suggest genuine age and outdoor exposure.
Image Memory Note
The image is of a large, round, weathered porcelain sign. Prominently features the Texaco red star logo with a large green 'T' in the center, beneath the black text 'TEXACO'. Around the sign's border in white block letters on a red background: 'GASOLINE MOTOR OIL'. At the bottom edge within the white circle band is 'MADE BY THE TEXAS COMPANY' and 'REG. T.M.' beneath the large T. The sign exhibits multiple areas of surface rust, especially around mounting holes (top, left, center) and along the edges. There are at least three notable bullet holes or large corrosion spots interrupting the logo text and graphics. The sign's colors remain vivid aside from wear and rusting.
Keywords
Texaco, gasoline, motor oil, porcelain sign, petroliana, vintage advertising, United States
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