Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Can you date this Ethyl sign?

Thanks, Jim

Hey Jim. Howz about a few details? How big is it? Painted tin or porcelean?

Sorry. It's an 8" porcelain. I've sold a couple similar to it on eBay, but they carried "3-12-45" markings among other minor wording differences.
Thanks

I have collected ethyl signs for years and as far as I have been told the ones that say made in usa are repos, all that I have in all the sizes say reg u.s. pat off on the bottom, there were a group that were found awhile back that were from a reputable person that said nothing and were supposed to be real, dont know the story on those but that is what I go by when I buy them. Hope this helps..post a pic of the back side if you could...Frank

I know the source of the sign. My folks owned a Texaco distributorship in Wisconsin from '71-'81. It was in a warehouse with several dozen various porcelain signs when they purchased the business. I worked for them driving bulk delivery trucks so spent a fair amount of time around that stuff. Going by that I believe it to be authentic (my opinion).

I bought one of these signs from Jeff off ebay and even though it says Made in USA on it, I believe it to be real. I have never heard that before about repos saying that. If anyone else knows better, speak up, but I believe Jeff when he said where he got his.

Ive got one identical to this one. It came off an old farm pump here in Montana 12-15 years ago and i know that guy didnt put it on there, it was way old then.......Les

Here is a photo of one of my recently ebayed Ethyl signs. I see that this one has the "patent" marking that Frank mentioned, but also has the "Made in USA" as well as a date. Same size,8". Thanks, Jim

I believe they changed their name from Ethyl Gasoline Corporation to the Ethyl Corporation around 1941. I see that you Ethyl Corporation sign is dated 1945. The sign in question would be older.

That's kind of the way I was leaning when I first compared my signs. I appreciate all of the input. Jim

I have never seen the dated one like that, but the grommets and the shiney white back and the made in usa would make me stay away on the first one...Frank

Heres the back of the 8in sign I just posted, anybody have any more in
fo?...Frank

[This message has been edited by frankpl (edited 01-13-2008).]

I see yours has only two grommet holes where the signs I'm familiar with have three. I will see if that is something I can use when researching old photos of actual signs mounted on pumps. Thanks, Jim

I have seen 2 or 3 holes, I have a 6in sign with 2 holes also, I have no idea what the reasoning for this is. Do you have any more of those dated signs? I would like to have one of those, thanks...Frank

Sorry, I only had two, both dated 3-12-45. Sold both.

I seem to recall a thread on the big Ethyl signs or globes where it had been mentioned that only the first couple years had certain writing on it.. that being the New York I think.

Pretty sure they started off producing ethyl in one place, then the demand quickly led to more plants plus a buyout by GM or something.


I think real early..first couple of years..

Note the one he is asking about looks like a scroll on the bottom (like the other pic thread), whereas the other looks like a box that is narrower on the bottom..

I emailed the current Ethyl Corporation and asked for any information to help with identifying these signs. Haven't heard back yet. Their website does mention a bit about their history starting in 1921, then a joint venture with GM & Standard Oil in '23, then becoming Ethyl Gasoline Corp in 1924 and finally just Ethyl Corp. in 1942. I will post if I hear from them.

Here are 3 different ETHYL logo signs in my collection.


[This message has been edited by Dick Bennett (edited 01-14-2008).]

I heard back from the "Ethyl Corporation", although not much help. I'll paste their reply and keep on researching.
Mr. Freudenberg -

I am the art curator for NewMarket Corporation (Ethyl) and your request for information was sent to me. I have checked some old ads from "The Saturday Evening Post" and "Life" magazines which is the only place I could think of that I have noticed the old Ethyl trademark. Since most of the ads are cartoons, not photos, I have no way of telling whether they are the round porcelain signs you are referring to. If you feel confident that your round sign came from an actual gas pump, there were tons of cartoon type photos of a round Ethyl signs on gas pumps. The oldest one was from 1930. My guess is that the signs on the pumps were metal not porcelain, but I don't know this for sure. Not sure where the 8" round porcelain signs would have hung.

Sorry that I can't be of more assistance.

Diane M. Hazelwood
NewMarket Services Corporation
(804)788-5522 - Phone