OK--This is a toughy! I just don't believe this sign is an original Cities Service advertising sign, but I can't prove it!
Cities Service Koolmotor Flange These signs first surfaced for me about 5 or 6 years ago when I bought one on ebay! When I received it, I was immediately alarmed because it looked to have been clear coated? Closer inspection revealed a very bubbly looking surface over different parts of the sign, like there had been air bubbles in the clear coat? Being pretty spooked, I returned the sign and promptly got a call from the owner.
He explained where he was from and that his father had just died and these were left to him in the estate and couldn't be reproductions! He said he knew his father had them for at least 30 years or more. I explained my concerns and politely asked for a refund, which was granted.
Since I am always watching ebay for Cities items, I bought another one about a year later and when I received it, it was the same as the first sign. NOW I was really confused?? Had I made a mistake on the first one, or had this come from the same person?? I contacted the seller and found that it had indeed come from the same estate in Sioux Falls, SD and the seller apologized and refunded me.
About a year after that, I had a chance to buy one thru an Old Gas connection and again it was the same thing but the signs origin was unknown? Shortly after that, I was contacted by one of the regulars from this site, as to the authenticity of a Cities flange he had just purchased. Again it had the same condition issues and I can't remember the origin of that one?
Since then, I had the opportunity to buy one from a friend and when I got it, it had some of the same traits but not as bad, so I kept it and still have it.
After that, I was contacted by a picker that had just come into possession of a large quantity of these signs from an estate in Sioux Falls, SD, and when I was told the story, it matched exactly to the story I was told by the owner of the sign in my first ebay purchase! Only difference is that he had bought several items from them and part of his buy was 40+ of these Cities Service flange signs!
Now, even if the man had been a Cities Service distributor, I find it odd that there would have been 40+ of these signs saved in his possession??? Very strange to me, but not impossible I guess?
Well, every one of them supposedly has the same condition issues and I'm still mystified by the clearcoating??
A-M signs made most of Cities Service painted signs, including this particular flange. I have 2 other Cities flanges (Kerosene, and Naptha) and the green coloration is different--no bubbles--no clearcoat?
I bought an unbent flange that was taken from the A-M warehouse a few years ago, and it is the exact same as my other flanges!
I'm really wondering about this sign, because I can't prove where it came from, and neither can any one else--its not marked. The lettering and design seem correct, and it looks very nice, but its one of those suspect signs that we will never know the truth about!
I just find it hard to believe that A-M signs would have let those signs out with the condition issues I've mentioned? Also if you take paint that hasn't quite cured and spray another coat from a different type paint on it, I have seen these exact type of bubbles appear before in my own work?
If its a reproduction, they did a nice job, but botched it with the clear coat and probably ruined the value of any Cities Service Koolmotor flange for forever?
Like I said, I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE, but there are too many red flags for me and these signs are going to continue to surface with that many of them being found!
Be your own judge if you're buying one and make a close inspection. Others may have a completely different opinion than me!
