At the start of the 20th century, in the early days of motoring, petrol was sold from small garages/workshops in two gallon petrol cans. The garages generally weren't associated with a particular brand and would offer petrol from Pratts, BP, Power Petroleum etc. As customers had real choice, competition was strong and the petrol company's advertising/branding was important to get their product chosen. The Power Petroleum Co was an importer of cheaper, Russian petrol and was established in 1923. Although price would've been a positive factor, Russian petrol probably wouldn't have been the British motorists first choice, to combat this the company clearly didn't hold back on branding. 

 

Here we see some of the best, most striking graphics I've encountered on a piece of enamel automobilia. The sign depicts a stylised Power Diesel pump globe (the glass 'globes' sat atop early fuel pumps) with everything in striking black and white except the Power Diesel type which is displayed in vibrant green and red. The design work for this sign is a lot more advanced than many of the Power Petroleum Co.'s competitors were at the time; with fairly simple, plain typography being the main stay of enamel advertising in the 1930s/'40s. This particular sign is likely to date to the late 1940s / early '50s and any diesel advertising in enamel is fairly uncommon (the majority of the consumer market was using petrol). It is especially rare to find Power Petrol advertised alongside Power Diesel - the majority of the Power Diesel enamel signs that you'll encounter have the word 'Agency' below the pump globe graphic, I've only seen one other like this with agency above and Power Petrol below. 

 

Adding to it's rarity, is this sign's particularly good condition. A slightly bevelled edge add's to the sign's rigidity and this has helped the sign remain nice and flat, displaying well and without any bends/creases. There are some light surface scratches and some small patches of enamel loss scattered around. The red and green enamel layers have lost their glossy surface (but this is probably the result of a manufacturing/firing defect). Other than this the sign is clean and bright, the white enamel layer retains an excellent gloss. 

 

A real unusual piece of automobilia that would make an excellent addition to any collection or could simply be enjoyed for it's strong graphics the sign measures 107cm high x 91.5cm (3ft) wide and can be hung using it's original mounting holes.