Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Known & Suspected Unmarked Petro Reproductions Koolmotor flange sign

I received a call today on this sign from a long time collector of Cities Service and he informed me that its a Repop. He said they were made several years ago and made out of VERY heavy steel and those signs were never made with the mounting holes directly in line like this sign. He said the originals always had staggered mounting holes.
They're old enough now that they are starting to actually look original from wear and people have forgotten that they were even made! Buyer Beware!
Ebay Item # 220471019653
I sent him this note to see what happens:I received a call this morning from a 40 year collector of Cities Servic and he informed me that this item is an older reproduction. These signs were made of heavier steel than the originals and the mounting holes on the originals were always staggered instead of in line.
This is for your information as you could possibly want to notify your customers. Thanks--KEVIN

Looks like a "perfect" re-pop except for the spelling on one side! lol

...EVERYONE had better make themselves more sensitive to the differences between computer lettering and the hand-generated variety that was used to create the old signs...if not, you're just going to keep getting ripped-off...the guys making these fakes aren't that good...

...that Good Year flange that was for sale on here a few days ago (and rightfully advertised as fake)...that was a well-done forgery...it had the color, weight, porcelain shelving, artwork...THAT was a well-done fake, I only wish whoever made them had marked them...

...on the other hand, this thing screams "cheap knock-off" from 30 paces...

...the Cities Service logo isn't even correct - it's a version of the font Gill Sans Condensed (look at the V) that the 'artist' compressed to make it taller and thinner - that should be a dead giveaway...but the obvious clincher is the type used in the 'Perfect Pennsylvania...' type...it's modern computer type, it should look out of place...

...those of you who can't discern these differences make it easier (and therefore more profitable) for the rip-off artists to ply their trade...

Heres the owners answer to my note about it being a repop--"Thanks I bought it as an original. I will start checking on it." Terry

This is a photo of my original,,,

...and here's the fake from eBay, look closely at the differences, it's a free education:

Its pretty obvious when you get them both in front of you to look at! Thanks Wes and Gulfiend!!

Thanks Guys I'm taking notes! makes you not really want to post pics or rare signs(I've been that way with a col-tex of mine) It happens with tools in the metalshaping community, it only take 2-3 months and horrible freight has a cheap almost useless version of a new tool and they sell like hot cakes. Take care! tt

????????? You lost me ?????

Wes--I think he meant that a person should use caution when posting pictures of rare signs because the rip off artists use those pictures to do their dirty work, much as they do in the tool industry!
If they do it from pictures, maybe thats the reason for the poor quality that they get! Lets hope it never improves.--KEVIN

Oh, I get it Kevin, thanks,,,,, I'm a little slow,,,and old,,,LOL !

Sorry About that Wes, Kevin is correct, signs are easy to duplicate. many companies have R & D ( ripoff and duplicate) departments. Now I'm not totally innocent, I do use ideas gained for my own use. Take care! tt

I don't know if it was the right thing to do or not but since the seller had made no attempt to add the possibility that it could be a repop to his sales ad, I took the opportunity to use the "Report this item" button on ebay. I reported it as a probable forgery and pointed out some of the discrepancies. I don't know if he ended the sale of his own accord or if Ebay asked him to, but the sign ended a whole day early!
I'm always torn in situations like that as to whether I should mind my own business and stay out of it or intercede because it IS MY BUSINESS? I really have a tough time with these unmarked reproductions and I guess that I will continue to inform people whenever I can, as to the originality, even if it p***s's some people off.
I really worry about the damage these things can do to the hobby by discouraging both current and new collectors alike! Especially the new guys! We really need new people coming in as the elders pass on and I'm speaking about myself when I say that because it concerns me as to the value of my collection for whoever receives it when I'm gone. I really feel as though I have to do SOMETHING and I guess informing others is about all I can do. I hope others agree and if I've offended anyone, I hope they realize that its for the good of all!---KEVIN