Castrol were pioneers in motor oil development. At the start of the 20th century with the automobile and aeroplane were rising in popularity, Charles Wakefield saw an opportunity to develop specific lubricants for these new engine types - the addition of Castor oil was the revolutionary element - making the oil thin enough to be effective when the engine was cold at start up and thick enough continue to be effective at high temperatures. From here Castrol was born. 

 

Known as the 'bow-tie' design, this early Castrol logo dates from the 1920s-30s when the company still used Wakefield's name. These early designs, using red, yellow and white are unusual enough, the addition of the Royal crest in the upper left hand corner makes it rarer still and the Prince of Wales' coat of arms in the upper right is an element that I've not encountered before. This sign is also larger than most that I've seen in this style. 

 

So, definitely an early, unusual example - this Castrol sign also remains in decent condition - there are some areas of loss around the upper and lower mounting holes and a couple of other patches across the sign (but nothing that affects the piece's legibility) as well as the corners rounding off but despite this the gloss remains good and the colours bright. The sign sits flat and can still be hung using it's original mounting holes. 

 

The piece measures 76cm wide x 51cm high. 

 

S/N: #2615