'Huiles Renault - En Vente Ici' = 'Renault [Motor] Oils on Sale Here'. This 1930s French, double-sided enamel flange sign for Renault Oils absolutely oozes Art Deco charm, The sign's wonderfully bold typography and design, combined with a vibrant red and white colour way makes for one of the most 'of the period' pieces of enamel advertising that I've encountered... 

 

As far as I'm aware, this design was only available in two formats (as enamel advertising at least) - a single-sided 'wall plaque' and this double-sided flange sign. Here the flange would allow the sign to be mounted to a wall at 90 degrees so that it is visible from both directions (generally in front of a shop / garage). It's common with these pieces for the flange to become damaged, flattened out or end up missing entirely, but this piece retains it's original flange in good functioning order. The sign was produced in 1935 and has survived in decent condition considering it's age. Both sides retain a good gloss (see the last photo where I've tried to demonstrate the gloss of the enamel surface), a vibrant red background and bright white enamel layer. The outer face has survived best with just some light surface scratches and a few small patches of enamel loss. There's more enamel loss to the inner face, but both sides remain perfectly legible and in my opinion, this damage adds to the character of the piece rather than detracting from it. 

 

A fairly unusual and relatively early piece of automiblia that makes a real impact, this sign measures 54cm wide x 40cm high and the flange is 7cm deep.

 

S/N #0911