An iconic piece of early automobilia, this double-sided enamel flange sign for the Vacuum Oil Company's Mobiloil, with the Gargoyle logo dates to some time between 1911-1931 and was produced by the Imperial Enamel Co. of Birmingham. 

 

At the start of the 20th century, the Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey was the largest oil refiner in the world. The size / power of the Standard Oil Co. made the United States Government very un-easy and in 1911, under the Sherman Anti-trust Act, Standard Oil was split into 34 companies. The Vacuum Oil company had been incorporated into Standard Oil in 1879, but after the 1911 split became an independent company again and used the Gargoyle logo we see here in combination with the Mobiloil brand... The Gargoyle remained in use until 1931 when it was replaced with the Pegasus logo we widely associate with Mobiloil / Mobil. 

 

This is a great example of an early and fairly uncommon piece. Both faces remain in very good condition with just a few surface scratches and small areas of enamel loss. There's a small area of discolouration to the Gargoyle logo on the 'outer' face but other than this the sign is bright and glossy. The original flange is present and in good order. 

 

The sign measures 51cm wide x 41cm high and the flange is 4cm deep. 

 

S/N: #2151