Oldgas.com Home  

Click here for Petro Porcelain Sign auction listings


Home | Help | Events | Auctions | Parts | Pictures | Links | Contact
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
#420384 Wed Jun 05 2013 08:38 AM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,282
Likes: 12
Veteran Member
OP Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,282
Likes: 12
Foreign signs have always troubled me and partly because of my lack of knowledge on them and also because of the large influx of bogus signs from third world countries!
Thus my interest in the sudden appearance of several here on Old Gas!
I had a call this morning from an interested party that gave me a link to the previous owner of all of these signs and I was surprised to see that they had all originated from the same seller in Argentina?
I have "NO IDEA" as to the authenticity of these signs, whatsoever, but when they junp from a seller in Argentina to the pages of Old Gas, with no explanation as to their origination---I feel the membership should be notified and allowed to make their own decisions!

Ebay#251284155380 with seller jgoff2484

EbaY#121081167095 with seller guidoapothecary from Argentina

Same sign and seems to be the same place the other foreign signs have come from.---You be the judge!

Link to past sales for guidoapothecary---
http://www.ebay.com/csc/guidoapothecary/m.html?nma=true&item=121104951769&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&_sop=3&si=pnG0DG8Up%252B5dnBU8gjtnyEYtGEA%253D&orig_cvip=true&hash=item1c326ae9d9&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc


Everything Cities Service
Specializing in old Gas Pumps
kwfrith@gondtc.com
Cell#-701-739-6133
Please use For Sale forums to sell

Please - NO offers to Buy or Sell in this forum category

Statements such as, "I'm thinking about selling this." are considered an offer to sell.
K W FRITH #420391 Wed Jun 05 2013 09:23 AM
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,818
Likes: 2
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,818
Likes: 2
Lets start by making it easy to view these signs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251284155380?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121081167095?

Kevin, like yourself; I to am skeptical about these signs. I consider myself an experienced sign collector. I rely on my years of cumulative experience collecting automobiles and such when I state that in my opinion this sign is without any doubt a fake. It can be conclusively concluded that, that is the same sign in both of those listings.

The chipping is not consistent with normal wear & tear but rather appears to support the process of an intentional accelerated, artificially aged process. The formation and coloration of the rust again are consistent with an artificial age process rather than a natural formation over 40-60 years.

The backs also seem to indicate a sloppy application of the porcelain to overstate it's age and the rack marks also seem exaggerated. Old original signs had rack marks but were not that sloppy in appearance and I seldom find rust on the back of a sign that was hung. Only original porcelain signs that have rust on the back are ones that were found buried.

This sign came from a source country of fakes from a known forgerer/manufacturer of these fakes, with a well documented history of selling fakes on e-Bay. Shouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. If it smells like, looks like and feels like *****. THEN IT IS *****!

Do you go and buy new furniture from a person selling brand new merchandise out of the trunk of his car in a store parking lot? No, because you know it is stolen. Same logic applied here would clearly lead an informed and prudent individual of average intelligence to clearly and without doubt conclude that this sign is a fake.

I am saddened to note that this ***** is peddled on this site. Flakes selling fakes for profit at the expense of an entire hobby should not be tolerated anywhere!

Last edited by Dave's Garage; Wed Jun 05 2013 09:35 AM.

Dave GILL,
Dave's Garage & Memorabilia, Inc.
Dave's Garage #420398 Wed Jun 05 2013 09:47 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,604
T
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
T
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,604
Kevin and Dave I agree 100%!!!
I feel foreign signs being sold should be stated as such JUST like repo's or fantasy items...
Also if your going to buy from a known repo seller, then dont try selling it here WITHOUT letting people know its questionable origin...The truth always comes out eventually...

tomzcollectiblez #420400 Wed Jun 05 2013 09:53 AM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,841
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,841
Originally Posted By: tomzcollectiblez
Kevin and Dave I agree 100%!!!
I feel foreign signs being sold should be stated as such JUST like repo's or fantasy items...
Also if your going to buy from a known repo seller, then dont try selling it here WITHOUT letting people know its questionable origin...The truth always comes out eventually...


Agreed if it is a repop represent it as so. There are too many collectors who will bust ya if you try and pass this ***** off as original.

Last edited by texacokie; Wed Jun 05 2013 09:56 AM.

I am always looking for anything Texaco or Oklahoma oil and gas company's, also I am a newbie at seeking globes.
texacokie #420402 Wed Jun 05 2013 10:03 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 18
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 18
jgoff is a shady seller... that has been known on OldGas since I joined earlier this year. the only thing that has changed is now he is actually hooking some people. all of his items have some sort of issue with them, whether its foreign, wrong markings, etc.


Wanted: Sweney Oil items - Peoria, IL
Weekly Oil Can Auctions: www.OilCanAuctions.com
Collection & Items for Sale: www.OnceAlwaysPetro.com
BryceG #420407 Wed Jun 05 2013 10:17 AM
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 444
5
Petro Enthusiast
Offline
Petro Enthusiast
5
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 444
I have had no dealings with this seller, here or on ebay. I thought it kinda strange to see these foreign signs cropping up with so many of them being mass produced south of the border. As a "junior" member I thought I would leave it to the verterans to deal with. Now that it has been brought up, I gotta ask why are any pieces of questionable background allowed here at all? Wouldn't it be nice to have a "safe haven" ?

57CameoGuy #420409 Wed Jun 05 2013 10:24 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,272
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,272
I personally have had some questions about the originality of a couple of the signs that have been offered here...

That is why I contacted the Historian of the Chevron Corporation, the "Parent Company" of Texaco... To see if such signage is mentioned or shown in their Corporate Archives?....

Mr. John Harper is the Historian for the Chevron Oil Corporation...

I asked him, if he was familiar with the Texaco-Vacuum sign(s) posted For Sale on Oldgas:

Here are his replies as of yesterday:

May 16th 2013:

"I would have to research this, given I have never seen such a joint sign. I am not stating a partnership did not exist. Just need to confirm."

June 4th 2013:

"I have not come across such signs. Have checked other sources, too, including Ball's book on Texaco collectibles. Also checked the Texaco Star magazine, which goes back to 1914 or so. No luck. Now, that is not to say they did not exist, especially if there was a partnership. But such brands appearing on the same finished signs have not shown up. Early stations did sell multiple brands from various companies, but the signs were separate. I will keep looking."



As of today; I have also sent a request to EXXON/Mobil asking that their Historian contact me and/or Mr. Harper... I will ask if they show such signage?


Looking for Tide Water/ Tide Water-Associated/ Tidewater items
BryceG #420410 Wed Jun 05 2013 10:29 AM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
Petro Enthusiast
Offline
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
Originally Posted By: baileybee
jgoff is a shady seller... that has been known on OldGas since I joined earlier this year. the only thing that has changed is now he is actually hooking some people. all of his items have some sort of issue with them, whether its foreign, wrong markings, etc.


be carefull last time I posted a message like that I got a message from Jim the webmaster asking me to stop harrassing member....

I think like you that those signs are fantasy, there are so many fakes around now that if you want to be sure to buy originals stay with well known ones with dates and signatures on them which prove the authenticity

by the way if you have any doubt about European signs I can help you, most of them were signed and dated so they are easy to distinguish from reproductions

Bob Richards #420414 Wed Jun 05 2013 10:53 AM
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 4
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 4
Bob , it will be very interesting to see what the historian of Exxon has to say.Kind of has me curious now!


I like SINCLAIR and old American made stuff ... No china items.
47reo-travis #420421 Wed Jun 05 2013 11:38 AM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,085
Likes: 11
L
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
L
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,085
Likes: 11
Been wondering when this was going to blow. As other poster being of limited time in the hobby I thought I best stay out of it. I have felt for a couple of days that Oldgas was a bad place for these signs to land,but the fees are so low here right.


*Wanted Pierce Pennant Petroleum*
Loyd Pierce #420424 Wed Jun 05 2013 11:48 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 263
T
TC Offline
Petro Enthusiast
Offline
Petro Enthusiast
T
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 263
I myself totally agree with Kevin and everyone else. When I first saw these signs on this site I new they were phonies and the seller even admitted they were from Argentina, funny all these signs look good on one side and the backs aways look like thet were in a bone yard for ever. Ted

TC #420435 Wed Jun 05 2013 01:09 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,559
Likes: 43
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,559
Likes: 43
According to the Michelin book the Michelin sign is correct and from Argentina. Most of the others, I'm not so sure. I agree fake, fantasy and repop(I like the word repop) have no place on oldgas without full disclosure.
You have to think there were signs in Argentina. Need a legit collector from that country to shed a little light on the subject.

bustermonty #420446 Wed Jun 05 2013 01:53 PM
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,509
Likes: 289
Moderator
Offline
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,509
Likes: 289
I don't know much about foreign signs. I have a few French Canadian, European and Australian signs and cans in my collection. I feel comfortable with their authenticity. I have passed on most other foreign signs because of doubts, price, condition and shipping issues. Kind of like it is with any sign from anywhere.

The foreign signs currently offered by a member of Oldgas.com Shop Talk have not been proven to me they are reproduction, or not. They do look like they are not made to USA manufacturing and logo standards. Could be back then the local sign companies didn't do a "world class" job on making them.

For me personally, signs that have the rusty porcelain backs and appear to be artificially aged make me uncomfortable enough to stay away. But it is not enough for me to label them as repro with any certainty because I don't know what a real foreign sign is supposed to look like, or even if there ever was a real one like that.

If you don't have sufficient knowledge about a class of items, or you're not comfortable because of doubts, do some serious thinking before you drop serious money on an item. Foreign or not. Just sayin'.


Jim "Oldgas" Potts
Your host and moderator
Oldgas #420451 Wed Jun 05 2013 02:07 PM
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 131
Petro Enthusiast
Offline
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 131
First. how fun would it be to be a historian for one of these companies?

Second this is why it's a bad idea to buy foreign signs. I don't understand people's fetish with them. Stay away they are bad news.

Oldgas #420453 Wed Jun 05 2013 02:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 986
Likes: 37
6
Petro Enthusiast
Offline
Petro Enthusiast
6
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 986
Likes: 37
The Texaco sign has a makers marker on it, the seller just didn't shoot a close-up of it. I think we should let the guy get up, before we kick him again. I've had lots of foreign signs through the years. Like American Mfgs, they didn't mark all of them. I can't compare any seller to the known foreign seller of American brand repops

Page 1 of 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Moderated by  Oldgas, Ryan Underthun 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Click here for Gas Pump auction listings

Copyright © 2023 Primarily Petroliana Interactive, All Rights Reserved

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5