An iconic piece of early automobilia, this large format enamel sign for the Vacuum Oil Company's Mobiloil, with the Gargoyle logo dates to some time between 1911-1931 and was produced for the Scottish market by the Falkirk Iron Co.

 

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. 

 

Measuring in at just shy of 4m wide, this is a real statement piece. It's colours remain bright and it retains great surface gloss. There are a few patches of enamel loss scattered across the sign but nothing that impacts it's legibility. It can be hung using it's original mounting holes and displays well. 

 

It measures 114.5cm wide x 76cm high. 

 

S/N: #0506