Champion's simple red and black colour scheme makes up part of their iconic brand and mid-century marketing. They sponsored a range of Motorsport and in combination with heavy branding made themselves the most recognisable brand of spark plug in the middle of the 20th century. 

 

This lithographically printed, tin advertising thermometer is an excellent example of their marketing - a lovely, crisp/clear graphic of a spark plug sits beneath Champion's iconic logo. The piece is French and would've originally hung in a garage stocking Champion Plugs - 'en vente ici' meaning 'on sale here'. 

 

The piece is in presentable, original condition - fully working with it's thermometer tube still in place. There is some surface rust bleeding through around the edges giving it a good, vintage look but with the writing and temperature markings still remaining legible. The piece can be still be hung using the mounting holes in the middle of the upper and lower edges. It seems that at some point a sticker was placed over the 'en vente ici' which has resulted in discolouration and some paint losses. There are also some surface scratches and areas where the paint is thinning, but again these are all part of the history / character of the piece. 

 

The thermometer measures 90cm high, 30cm wide and is 2cm deep.