What I buy
Old porcelain signs
Heavy, glossy, enamel-on-steel signs from old stations, dealers, farms and storefronts. Chipped, faded or bright — if it’s old porcelain, I’d like to see it.
Local in Texas — I’ll travel farther for the right piece.
An example
What I look for
A few examples of what counts. If yours isn’t on the list, send a photo anyway.
- Gas and oil company signs, round, square or shield-shaped
- Auto dealer and service signs
- Soda and product signs
- Two-sided flange signs that stuck out from a wall
- Small pump plates and door signs
- Store, farm and business signs
Some of the companies I like
If your brand isn’t listed, send a photo anyway.
- Gas and oil
- Texaco, Sinclair, Mobil, Shell, Gulf, Smitholene, Houston Gasoline, Texas Pacific, Panhandle, Magnolia and Conoco
- Dealerships
- Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler, GMC, De Soto, Studebaker, Cadillac and others
- Soda
- Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper, 7-Up, Pepsi and Orange Crush
Photos that help
Phone pictures in daylight are perfect. Here’s what helps most for porcelain signs. The full photo guide covers the rest.
Shoot both faces
Many porcelain signs are two-sided. Photograph each side, plus the edge so the layers show.
Chips are normal
Old porcelain picks up chips around the mounting holes and edges. Please don’t touch them up or paint over them.
Skip the polish
A gentle dusting is fine. Polish, compound or harsh cleaners can dull the original gloss.
Where I buy
I prefer to buy locally in Texas, and I’ll travel farther for the right piece. If you’re outside Texas, it’s still worth a text.
Got one? Text me a few photos.
Front, back and an edge is plenty to start. Text them to 979-220-3831 and I'll take a look. One sign or several — either is fine.