British Petroleum (B.P.) is a name that is synonymous with early automotive history. They were a supplier of petrol, or as it was more endearingly termed at the time, 'Motor Spirit' and despite the implications of the name - B.P. was actually a marketing arm of the German 'Europäische Petroleum Union' in Britain.

Here we have the most iconic of BP's enamel signage designs - the vibrant, bold Union Jack... This design was introduced in 1922 and was produced by a number of different enamelers in a variety of formats - from the double-sided, flange sign we have here through to a whopping 6ft wide single-sided example. This design is popular the world over and a key piece in any collection of automobilia or a bold piece of vintage / antique decoration in it's own right. 

 

When buying an iconic piece like this, condition is key because you don't want a substandard example in your collection... This piece remains in very good condition - in fact, if it wasn't for the patch of enamel loss to the outer face, this would have to be classed as one of the best I've encountered. The colours remain fantastically vibrant; there's no dulling or staining and the enamel's surface gloss is wonderfully deep (see the fifth photo along where I've tried to capture this). There's some very light mottling to the enamelled surface though this is only visible under a raking light and impossible to capture in a photograph and some minor surface scratches. Other than this, the only thing to point out are the patches of enamel loss; a tiny amount of nibbling around the edges and the more sizeable patch to the middle of the outer face - it's not ideal but for a piece nearing a century old is perhaps inevitable. The flange remains in near perfect condition and is fully functional (it would allow the sign to be mounted to a wall at 90 degrees and be visible from both directions) - it's quite possible that this sign was never mounted / displayed. 

 

The sign dates to the 1920s (after 1922, but probably not much after) and was produced by The Falkirk Iron Co. Ltd - one of the less common enamelers... 

The piece measures 61.5cm wide x 41cm high and the flange measures 5cm deep.