Value:If authentic vintage DSP (30–42 in) in very good condition: $1,200–$4,000 at auction (exceptional sizes/condition higher). If reproduction: $30–$150.
Maker's Marks / Writing:Text on face: 'GASOLINE' (top ring), 'MOTOR OIL' (bottom ring), 'TEXACO' across star, 'REG. T.M.' under the green 'T', and 'MADE BY THE TEXAS COMPANY' on the lower arc. No porcelain maker’s stamp or date visible.
Date:2025-09-15 14:45:41.036966
Description:
Round advertising sign for Texaco featuring the five-point red star with green 'T' and the word 'TEXACO' across the center. Outer ring reads 'GASOLINE' above and 'MOTOR OIL' below, with small legend 'MADE BY THE TEXAS COMPANY' at the lower arc and 'REG. T.M.' beneath the green 'T'. Originals from the late 1920s–1940s were heavy double-sided porcelain enamel on steel with factory mounting holes (often with brass grommets) and visible porcelain ‘shelving’ at color separations. Many modern reproductions exist in lighter-gauge steel or tin with screen-printed finishes.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This is the classic Texaco Gasoline Motor Oil round sign design. The image provided appears to be a clean stock photo without visible mounting holes, edge wear, chipping, or porcelain gloss cues. Because originals almost always show factory holes with grommets and some age to the porcelain, and given the prevalence of reproductions, I must treat this as likely a representation rather than confirm an original. A word about fakes.. petroliana signs—especially Texaco roundels—are among the most reproduced items in the hobby. Verify authenticity by checking for heavy porcelain-on-steel construction, double-sided format, factory mounting holes with brass grommets, raised porcelain ‘shelving’ at color borders, proper size (commonly 30 or 42 inches), period maker stamps (e.g., Ingram-Richardson/Veribrite), and honest age wear. Without such details, assume reproduction. Matt — Petroliana and Vintage Motoring: I concur with a cautious approach; values provided reflect auction liquidation ranges.
The Texaco red star/green T with 'Gasoline' and 'Motor Oil' in the outer ring is a well-documented, iconic design; text elements and layout match period signage. The exact medium (porcelain vs printed repro) cannot be confirmed from this single clean image.
Authenticity Score: 25%
Single small, clean image with no mounting holes, gloss, chipping, thickness, or verso shown. Given the extreme prevalence of modern Texaco reproductions and lack of physical tells (porcelain shelving, grommets, maker stamp), reproduction is more likely than not unless further evidence is provided.
Image Memory Note
Image shows a round Texaco sign on a white background. Layout: red outer ring with black inner/outer keylines; white field; central five-point red star with a green capital 'T' overlaid; 'TEXACO' in black caps across the star; tiny 'REG. T.M.' printed beneath the crossbar of the green T; at the bottom of the inner white ring, small text reads 'MADE BY THE TEXAS COMPANY'. Upper ring text 'GASOLINE' in white block letters on red; lower ring text 'MOTOR OIL' likewise in white on red. No mounting holes, rust, chips, porcelain sheen, or reverse side are visible due to the stock-style image. Size cannot be determined from the photo. No maker’s stamp (e.g., Ingram-Richardson/Veribrite) or date seen. Colors: red ring and star, green T, black outlines/lettering, white background. Overall appearance is clean and digitally crisp, suggesting a catalog/stock image rather than an in-situ photo of a physical sign.
Keywords
Texaco, Gasoline Motor Oil, porcelain sign, petroliana, advertising, Americana, United States
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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