Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Grading Big 6.ft Signs

I'm wondering how you guys grade 6.ft signs. Around here, there are two schools of thought. one thought is to get as close to it as you would a pump plate and look for b b size chips. Another is to grade the "quality of the advertizing " from about 10 to 20 ft away, as you would have seen it in use. Look at the 6ft. Cosden on ebay. What grade would you call it ?

Item no# 160651855956

The COSDEN? I's say a strong 8 or a B+

Amazing.119 views and one response while there are 6 responses about a pump plate listed in Vic's catalogue.We tell beginners "it all depends on condition",then no one will tell them how to determine condition.

Amazing. Where a few bucks are involved people will talk;when thousands are involved no one wishes to contribute to the the education of new members.I think that is very sad.

With that said,logging off.

Very hard to grade signs from pictures due to gloss issues and small imperfections that may not be seen in images. I would grade that sign between a 7.5-8 without seeing it. I always look for gloss and damage/imperfections.

To me - it doesn't matter if it's a tiny pump plate or 30' outdoor sign - condition is condition. A 10 is dead mint perfect, and a 7 is getting questionable - chips in field, edge wear etc. 4's and 5's are barn hangers or "character" depending on how picky you are. I don't think you should change your criteria based on how big a sign is. That said, if you/ who ever is going to see it - will only be seeing it from twenty five feet away - nothing wrong with a little more "character". You'll often hear "it's a 10 from 25 feet away". Well, no, it's not a 10 - but if it looks good enough from where you're sitting -then it's good enough. Regardless of what number anyone wants to put on it. Hope that helps. Have fun!

that's what I love about this site,I ask question in petro
value on Union Globes,last time I looked 282 view not one opinion,and some signs before,get PM's offering peanuts for good things. Just about everyone on here is the Sell High,Buy Low. It is What It Is, I guess that's why I mostly lurk.

I'd suggest that you purchase the new book out by Dan Mathews. It's for sale here in the oldgas book section. He starts out by explaining his grading system, which seems to be right on for me.
Dan makes his living selling our petroleum items, and it's real important that he gets it right.
Both the buyers and sellers need to rely on his grading, and there is gonna be hell to pay if he doesn't get it right.
Don

agree Dan's book and grading system explanation are very good - great recommendation!

What some grade as an 8 might not be a 6 to other High Grade collectors. Just like a 9.5 might be a 7 to the same collector.

I agree with both posts by Sign&Neons above. It is what it is from 2 or 20 feet away. & Dan's grading is explained clearly and applied consistently.

Richard

agree consistency can be tough Dick. That's why discussions like this - and explanations like in Dan's book can help get everyone on the same "page" so to speak. No one wants to have their sign be a "5" - but if we all try to be consistent and fair in grading - that's better for everyone. Perhaps a weekly "grade this sign" posting or something? Because sometimes we don't have enough to argue over - LOL.