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

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