Repro Alert
Porcelain signs, in many cases are getting harder to sort out in terms of reproductions. Unlike the phony signs of 20 years ago that were obvious 12” remakes which you could find in numerous catalogs, or the later 30” signs that were poor quality, today’s reproductions pose a bit of a challenge. Early reproductions had little or no shelving, meaning the surface difference between the colored layers of porcelain was smooth. Original signs have deeper shelving in most cases. But today, many reproductions have this deep shelving and some phony signs are even made from old metal to look “antique.”
No one has all the answers and the hobby is left to sort it out. The questionable sign is put to the test. That test is usually asking a lot of questions to fellow hobbyists. They either have the knowledge at hand or more often compare their known original to the sign in question. Most times, the sign in question can be determined. But this takes time and that is a shame. Sales overall suffer because often the person buying the sign will not commit because they have too many questions. This can happen at a show or more likely on e-Bay or an online auction where the buyer cannot handle the piece and inspect it closely. Maybe the sign is real. Maybe it is not. Phony signs lately are being purposely damaged to look old. Heavy shelving, created rust, dirt and what have you can make any phony sign look authentic. Realize that many phony signs are not found as originals in that size. For instance, Sinclair Aircraft porcelain signs are often found as originals in 48”. But there are no 12” original versions as you can find in the catalogs. Some other signs are known as originals in 42” sizes only but the phony ones are made in 30”. We know that many car signs are 30” reproduction versions. Many originals are larger types. But we recently found out that in Australia they used original versions made in 30” porcelain. When reproduction signs are made in the right size, good shelving and color, with a few created chips on the edges, good luck! At that point start asking a lot of questions unless you are sure.
Most collectors at shows are good, ethical people and many will help you out with questions. Very few would ever rip you off. But it does happen, and you need to be prepared.
So, what do you do when you run into a suspect sign? If you are at a show you still need to ask questions. Start with the seller, and then to other collectors there at the show to sort it out. If no other collectors are there, then you are on your own or maybe you can place a call. The important thing is to get a guarantee from the seller that if the sign, or any item for that matter, turns out to be phony, you can return it for a full refund. Sellers, who will not offer returns whether at a show or e-Bay, should not be dealt with. They are hiding something. “Buyer responsibility” is complete nonsense. Some auction companies use this policy. That is wrong. When you buy a house, a car, or whatever you need to be told the whole truth and that is the seller’s responsibility, not the buyer’s! They want your business, they have to earn it. If the person you are dealing with is an unknown vendor at a flea market who you’ll never see again, I’d keep walking. While we’re on the subject, let’s talk about shipping. Where did the seller get the idea that they are not responsible for shipping damages? We see this often, especially with online auctions like e-Bay among others. When we ship an item, it is our responsibility to get that item safely to you. If it arrives damaged you should either get another one or get your money back. Isn’t this how any retail establishment works in the real world? Why should our hobby be different?
I know we haven’t answered a lot of questions about phony signs. But you need to realize many pieces are a case by case basis and the guidelines here are just a helpful start. See pcmpublishing.com and click on “Repro Alerts” to see many phony undated pieces. If you have a phony sign picture or anything phony for that matter, send it to us and we’ll get it posted.
Discoveries
A really great piece turned up in an old photo. We have all seen the Colonial Beacon octagon shaped metal frame globes used by Colonial Beacon Oil Company. We found one that says “Beacon Penn” sitting atop an old oil cabinet. So this was an oil cabinet globe.
There was an auction in Kansas that had a Red Ribbon globe with a red ribbon pictured that looked to be on glass. If so, that is rare as we have seen maybe one or two on metal but none on glass that I recall.
A rare Laurel Leaf 15” insert turned up out West that said “Gasoline” atop the state of Montana pictured on 15” metal instead of “Autofuel.” Maybe there are more out there but this was new to me. I have seen this saying “Autofuel” or “Gasoline” but in 18” for neon.
The upcoming Peotone Matthews auction is offering several globes we have never seen before. A “Hi Octane Super A”, Fuel Oil arched letters probably Clark, Red Ball Brand on metal and a rare Thriftane with thick blue border on metal were among the several globes new to us. There were some unusual signs and other items as well.
Check out the Braglines as well for more interesting discoveries.
What’s New?
Look for more interesting articles from Don Raleigh on cans and also on smalls found in our hobby. See this issue for the latest one.
Scott Anderson of Time Passages has promised us a new article on gas pumps so that should be coming soon, too. They are also working on a new full color ad to appear in PCM in the near future.
Remember, any classified ads can be e-mailed directly to jnet36@aol.com. Photos or back issue requests can be sent to Wayne Henderson at pcmpublishing@triad.rr.com. Other correspondence, renewals, ads or questions can be directed to Scott Benjamin at 440-355-6608 9-8 EST. My e-mail is scottpcm@aol.com Display ads must go to both Wayne’s and my e-mail address.
Each PCM issue is mailed on the first of the month or before that. PCM Magazine never runs late or gets delayed in any manner other than the Post Office routes which we cannot control. We replace lost issues at the end of the month and damaged issues right away.
Keep in mind, we haven’t had a fax line in years so don’t try that old number!
Variations in Gas Globes by Scott Benjamin
First of all, I wanted to say that a few issues ago I complained about the fact that if you have a four inch base globe there was no way to properly secure it to a shelf. There were no 4” mounting bases available. I did have a few collectors call me with some good ideas but now I have a better idea. Just call Pergl Gas Globes, they actually make one! Chuck Pergl heard about my plight and sent me one! They are perfect, made just like the 6” versions with three set screws to hold the globe in place. The mount can then be drilled into the shelf or whatever and now you have a secured 4” base globe.
We all know about variations in the different items we collect in our hobby. For most of us, that’s what makes collecting so much fun. But how far can you go? How far should you go? I am asked these questions fairly often. Those questions can only be answered by yourself but let me bring up a few points and things to consider.
Use the following examples for any company you collect. Though I collect Sinclair globes, Sinclair does not occupy most of my collection. Most of my collection is other brands but I do go after any Sinclair globe I don’t have-to most extents. I remember Jackie Knott, a long time Sinclair collector, told me he had seen at least seven different colors of green in the glass red dot Sinclair H-C gas globe. I had to agree with him 100%. Colors range from the older very dark green-looking almost black, to the lighter green versions of the 1950s. I have two in my collection. I have an early one on Hull glass that is very dark green. I have a much later version on Capco with the double outer white border which is lighter green. To me, these are two distinctly different globes, different manufacturers, and different eras. I don’t have the space or desire to collect all the different colors of green H-Cs. Now there are one piece H-Cs and metal frame ones too. These I collect because they represent different time periods and are very different types of globes. Sinclair used factory placed decals on gas globes. Some were used on one piece frames, some on glass frames. Since the decals are identical I only try to get one version. In the early 1930s they stuck a decal on a glass frame or one piece frame. If say, the one piece decal version was different I would try to get that one but they are not. I don’t collect a plastic frame globe with the same logo on glass unless the logo is somewhat different. One could collect both types as different but with Sinclair having so many globes you have to draw the line somewhere. If say, the only thing I did collect was one company, which only had a few globes available to collect; I might get a little pickier. I might consider keeping more similar versions. I could see doing that. I know there are collectors who do. Again, that is fine and that’s up to you.
Take a look at the photo here. Now here’s a real dilemma! There are two similar Sinclair Gasoline globes on glass. Notice the one has much larger letters and a smaller center logo. The other version has smaller letters and a much larger center logo. On top of that, the larger version lettered one is a three piece narrow glass solid type frame and the other one is a Hull Glass globe. Here you have two globes, nearly the same era, but one is made by CAPCO, Cincinnati Advertising Products Company, and the other one is made by Hull Glass of Pennsylvania. One collector may keep them both and another may not. Supposing money and space was not a factor what would you do? Now this is fun!
I became aware of these two versions only about four years ago and realized until you get them side by side you may not know there are different versions out there. But side by side, wow, you can really see the difference! What’s a collector to do? That’s a personal preference. I was told by some fellow collectors I should keep both, but I haven’t decided yet. It all comes down to space and money as we all know. I prefer to collect versions of distinctly different colors and logos than slight variations that are harder to see. Yet, if all I collected is only one company, again, I might go after these variations.
Skelly collectors often call me looking for the same logo but one has the “shaded S version” and one does not. To me, this is a different globe type and should be collected. The most interesting collections out there are the ones that go for the most variations from one company, as long as they don’t get too carried away by slight color shading, etc.
To me a Gill glass version is very different from a three piece glass version in terms of serious collecting. If I only collected Texaco I might go after all types. Look at the Texaco Diesel Chief globe-red type. This globe can be found with identical logos on glass, plastic or Gill glass. Though you could collect all three variations, I would spend or save my money on the other types of Texaco globes, and there are many. Metal frames in 15” versus 16.5” with the same logo are interesting. I know many collectors who chase logos with these size differences like Mobils and Atlantics. I would, if I ever found a 16.5” Sinclair globe - though I doubt any exist. Again, this is a personal preference and you can do what you want to do.
What about EC Ethyl Logo or EGC Ethyl Logo? To me these are different time periods; the logos are distinct and should be collected if you are a serious collector of that particular company. If you just want an Imperial Ethyl globe than either may suffice.
One parameter to consider is different manufacturers, like the three holed Ballcrank globes. These are very different globes and I feel are truly distinct. But screw base versus regular base (in my mind) are not different enough to collect. I collect Standard Crowns. Older white, Red and Blue Crowns can have no threaded bases. Later ones did. I do not collect these differences. But Banded Glass or Gill Glass are interesting variations to collect. Ovals and round versions are different enough, too.
I warn all collectors that going after variations can be incredibly fun but can also drive you crazy! But aren’t all collectors a little nuts?!
When collecting cans, signs, pumps and maps, remember they can all exist in different sizes, variations, and colors among other parameters. This can be endless. You just have to decide how far you want to go, how much money and space you have and how crazy you are!
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