Gentlemen: Lots of activity since I posted the original auction notice. Please understand that putting on a 1600 lot auction is no small endeavor…in fact this will be the largest automobilia, petrolinia auction ever. I had five days to photograph, describe, measure every item in the collection and given the work parameters of everything still hanging (some at 35 feet or higher above the floor with all the cars still placed underneath) it was no small task. If you read the catalog you will see that reproduction items are marked as such and same with tin or porcelain signs which have been restored.
The Gulf sign in question I examined today. If it's a fake..it's very good. It was part of a small Kansas museum collection that Ron purchased around 2002.
The sign appears to be factory painted (not dot matrix or silk screened) The white shows a hint of yellowing and age spots. There is light crazing present in the lettering. If you examine the hardware the nuts and bolts are completely fused and it looks like the sign has not been removed from the frame in decades. If you look under the flange where the bolts run through the sign mounting holes the paint has popped and rusted due to electrolysis and the paint is continuous under which I would interpret as meaning not a repaint.

So if you have information regarding it being a fake or who is making signs of this quality please do tell. When there's a questionable piece in an auction the respectful thing to do is to call the auction company and convey your opinion.

My cell # is 612-581-9189

Also if you're looking to bid on an item and would like more detailed photos or information concerning a particular piece please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards,
Rory

Gulf 1.JPG
Double-sided Gulf Oil tin curb sign.

Gulf 2.jpg
Light yellowing and age spots in field.

Gulf 3.jpg
Faint crazing present in lettering.

Gulf 4.jpg
Nuts and bolts are completely fused as one due to rust. Sign cannot be removed from frame without removing nuts and bolts.