This large (1m in diameter) tin Veedol sign is a personal favourite - over the years surface rust has leeched through the white background giving it the most fantastic industrial aesthetic. Created using the lithographic printing process on a thin tin base metal, the red has remained even and vibrant and the red and black layers retain a nice sheen. 

 

Veedol is world renowned for it's top quality engine oils. in 1914 Veedol was used as the choice of oil by Henry Ford for the worlds first mass produced car in the USA – the Model T Ford. In 1928 the first airship (The Graf Zeppelin) to fly around the world chose Veedol as their engine lubricant. In 1931 the world's first non-stop flight across the pacific ocean, flown in the ‘Miss Veedol’ plane, used Veedol engine oil for their flight and is possibly the reason behind the wing graphics on the V in their logo. From here Veedol Oils were used in land speed records and even space flights! 

 

This particular sign is likely to date to the late 1940s/early '50s and aside from developing a wonderfully unique surface patination, has survived in good order. There's a chip to the paint of the winged V (see the second photo) and the right hand mounting hole has lost it's brass eye, but the other three are present and this doesn't impact the sign's hanging / display. As this sign is on a thinner tin base metal than enamel examples it will sag if leant and would be best hung for display. 

 

The sign measures 1m in diameter.