Texaco Gasoline porcelain sign hammers for $11,550 at Matthews Auctions, June 23 A Texaco Gasoline single-sided porcelain filling station sign in a hanger sold for $11,550 at a Check the Oil auction held June 23 on the second day of the Check the Oil Gas & Oil Show in Dublin, Ohio
News-Antique.com - Jul 11,2012 - (DUBLIN, Ohio) – A Texaco Gasoline single-sided porcelain filling station sign in a hanger, rated 9 out of 10 for condition and boasting excellent color, gloss and shine, sold for $11,550 at a Check the Oil auction held June 23, on the second day of the popular Check the Oil Gas & Oil Show in Dublin, an event that attracts petroliana enthusiasts from across the country.
The Texaco sign, the top lot of the 425 or so items that came up for bid, had the black “T” in Texaco and measured 42 inches in diameter. It showed a little wear on the left side, a small rust spot in the “O” of Station and a few chips around the mounting holes, but these flaws didn’t deter bidders, who saw it for what it was – a rare sign that was in overall great condition.
Around 150 people attended the event in-person, held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in the northwest corner of metro Columbus. Another 200 people registered to bid on the Internet, via Proxibid.com and Auctionzip.com, and phone and absentee bidding was brisk. Some lots drew up to 10-15 phone bidders each (including the Texaco sign) and many left bids were recorded.
“This was a good, strong sale, one that told me the demand for petroliana, automobilia and advertising in general is very healthy,” said Dan Matthews of Matthews Auctions, LLC, the Nokomkis, Ill.-based firm that conducted the auction (as it has annually for years, always on the second day of the Check the Oil Gas & Oil Show). “I’m confident moving forward this year.”
Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a 10 percent buyer’s premium.
Another Texaco item, this one a rare Easy Pour two-quart oil can sign with can graphics, rated 9+ for condition, changed hands for $8,800. “This was the best example of this sign I have ever seen,” Matthews remarked. “It is rare, and hard to find one in such good condition.” The 16 inch by 15 inch sign’s only flaws were a chip around a mounting hole and a few factory flaws.
A scarce Case Agency tin flange sign, rated 8.9 and measuring 24 inches by 16 inches, went for $8,250. The sign had great graphics, with Old Abe (the Case Agency mascot) perched on a world globe. It was clearly marked “The H.D. Beach Co., Coshocton, Ohio.” Old Abe was an eaglet that was raised by Chippewa Indians and later taken into battle during the Civil War.
A Sunoco Motor Oil “Mercury Made” porcelain light-up oil bottle display, containing two glass inserts, three oil bottle racks and 18 Sunoco bottles with metal spouts, hammered for $7,425. The display, rated 9, measured 28 inches by 29 inches by 15 inches. It had some chips on the outside edges and corners, but it did light up and was overall a nice piece in excellent shape.
A Boyce Moto Meter single-sided tin sign with cardboard backing, rated a modest 7.75 but
