if its real its at a very reasonable price..
eBay # 251014598750

Isn't it a shame we have to be concerned about originality on these collectibles! Just another example of a great sign that has been tarnished by the reproductions!

really would have to see the back. but by the front looks like one of the 1000s of repops of that sign. has no ink stamp .

Not saying i have seen them all but everyone original one that i have seen is marked on bottom right edge with Brilliant Sign Co...(i think thats right name but not able to look at mine at this time....)
imo this one is not original...mm

I agree, I think it's a reproduction. The font on the "g" is wrong, and the hole pattern is wrong (compared to the one on page 27 of Rick Pease's "A Tour With Texaco).

Jamie

What's up with that mounting hole on the right side of the texaco logo on the right? I think that is a mounting hole and it looks way off if it is one.

I talked with the guy. He emailed me a picture of the back. Definitely a reproduction. He said it came from Argentina.

Tragic! Someone will get taken again!

In the Texaco Guide Book, "A Tour with Texaco" on page 27 is a photo of an original....

Place both photos side by side and there is no question as to authenticity of the sign on eBay.... Grommets wrong on eBay sign, not only wrong spots, but wrong number.... In the original the border looks to be silver not white... The spacing of the Texaco logos different on the original.... Etc....

I'm sure the people that make these signs read these forums. Best to limit the amount of info given on where they can correct there "mistakes" ....not sure what would be the best way to point out the reasons why signs are repro. Pm's might be an option. The more info on details we give out the better theses signs will get. Even the repros from India have ink stamps on them. Ink stamps and shelving are not the best ways to determine if a sign is real or not. They are useful hints but much more comes into play.

PMs, among over a thousand members isn't practical... Pointing out differences and saving someone whether member or non-member from making a mistake, now.. Well that is practical IMO.....

None of us can control what the counterfeiters might do in the future. But, if we can give members and non-members a "fighting chance" against buying a fake now, IMO we should do what we can, now......

Remember most of us have been in this hobby for decades, so we have a fairly good idea of how repops have progressed throughout the years...

Bob you have a good point about the Pm's, but just because somone has "been in the hobby" for a very long time does not always make them an expert... Yes there are many great people on this site with tons of knowledge, but let's say joe shmoe was a collector for 30 years and does not use the computer and is unaware of these "high quality " repros. This person can be burned easily. Is he experienced ? Yes , but he is not exposed to what's going on....does he know what to look for ? Yes he has and idea but never thought a "repro" would look this good.

It's like saying someone has been in business for 40 years. Does that make them a good business person? Sure they have been around awhile but are they good at what they do or meet the objective of what they are in business to do?


I am one of the young guys on here and have the utmost respect for many members I deal with on here. I have learned many usefull things about this hobby . Even someone who has been around the block a few times might get lost one time

Keith, if someone has been in business for 40 years, then yes they would have to be a good businessman...

If someone has been in the hobby for any amount of time.... Then they have the experience and know how, to not get burned on most signs... Most Experienced Collectors I know are like me, they have dozens of books on the different components that make up the hobby... Plus most of them go to shows and trade with other collectors....

Counterfeiters for the most part are lazy... They don't care if their product is "spot on" as they are not trying to "trick" the experienced collector... They are trying to trick those who have some knowledge or those that have no knowledge...

That is why flange and other signs made 40 -70+ years ago are not copied exactly.... It is much simpler to make grommet holes in a line instead of staggered... It is easier to make wider borders or borders the wrong color.... If one starts with a white base, why screw with changing it... Just layer colors and design in the center.

I have seen repop signs evolve through the decades I have been in the hobby.... Honestly some of the early repops look much better than some of the junk being reproduced today...

But, each one of us collects in our own specific way, for our own specific reasons.... I am not right, nor am I wrong in my opinion. What I am though, is I am correct for me. Some might agree with me, but just as many will not agree...

Bob you have very valid points but I have seen some business owners around for a while and not make a dime they are happy to break even. Maybe my example was not the best LOL

Another option would make certain forums visible only for members with a certain amount of posts, or moderator approved viewing only(if that's possible). I think all questioning of signs should be posted in the suspected repro section and that forum be locked to those who have not met a set criteria.