I had picked up a truckload of stuff and in there was a tin Cato oils "Wanda" sign . I did very little research but saw that Barrett Jackson had sold one claiming it was a 1940's sign. I figured that was good enough for me so I listed it for sale on Craigslist and here as well. ( I called it a 40's sign on Clist) . I was bored this morning and did some more research and found that Cato oils was established in 1960 and Wanda trademark was filed for in 1980. I'm glad I found out before I sold it to someone giving them incorrect info. My integrity is important to me and a lot of people would not believe it was an honest mistake, especially where petrol stuff is concerned.

Interesting Tom....If I just went by the "look" of the sign, I would guess it was much older than what you discovered, from the fonts, style, etc.
Darin

I dated her.

...that sign IS from the 1940s or 1950s...

Tom:

Just found this quote: "Cato has been manufacturing lubricating oils and greases for major industrial customers since 1922."

This is the source:
https://www.questia.com/newspaper/1P2-5423536/cato-oil-and-grease-marketing-new-line-of-lubricants

Our History

Elliott T. Cato came to Salisbury, Maryland and joined Roach Oil Company after working nineteen years for Texaco, Inc. in Virginia. He bought out his partner and renamed the company to Cato Incorporated, trading as Cato Oil Company in 1960. His son-in-law, Michael G. Abercrombie, joined the firm in 1969 and was President of the company from 1971 until 2002. Michael G. Abercrombie, Jr. joined the company in 1991, became President in 2002, and continues the family tradition today. When Cato began selling propane in 1998 it changed its name to Cato Incorporated, trading as Cato Gas & Oil company.

Thanks for the help guys. This is what confused me along with the next one I'll post

On Thursday, February 28, 1980, a U.S. federal trademark registration was filed for WANDA by CATO OIL AND GREASE CO., OKLAHOMA CITY 73126. The USPTO has given the WANDA trademark serial number of 73251868. The current federal status of this trademark filing is CONTINUED USE NOT FILED WITHIN GRACE PERIOD, UN-REVIVABLE. The correspondent listed for WANDA is WILLIAM G. ADDISON of KERR-MCGEE CENTER, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73125, . The WANDA trademark is filed in the category of Lubricant and Fuel Products . The description provided to the USPTO for WANDA is LUBRICATION OILS, GREASES, OIL FIELD DRILLING LUBRICANTS, GEAR LUBRICANTS, TRANSMISSION OILS (( , AND TRANSFORMER OIL )).

I think I'll just put it up and enjoy it for a while.

X2

We all wish they still made signs that sweet in the 80's LOL

They just got it trademarked on that date. Was around much longer and as said that is an older sign not 1980's.