This 'Shell - Cars for Hire' double-sided enamel flange sign is a good example of an uncommon piece of early 20th century automobilia. Dating to the 1930s the 'Cars for Hire' variants are second only to 'Charabancs for Hire' Shell flange signs in terms of rarity... 

 

This particular example remains in decent order - the inner face has two small patches of enamel loss and some minor chipping, the colours remain bright and the surface has a good, even gloss. The inner part of the flange has been painted white, presumably when the wall that the sign was hung on was re-decorated. The outer face has suffered a little more with three, larger patches of enamel loss and a little chipping, mainly around the outer edges. Again the colours remain bright, though there is a little mottling to the surface, mainly notacable on the black drop shadow. The flange, which is liable to corroding along the fold, remains good and strong and would allow the sign to be hung using it's original mounting holes. The outer face of the flange is marked as being the 'Property of Shell Mex Ltd' - a nice additional detail, not present on all examples. This dates the piece to post-1932, when Shell-Mex was formed. 

 

The sign measures 61.5cm wide x 38cm high and the flange is 5cm deep. 

 

S/N: #1296