A particularly good example of early, English automobilia - this Pratts double-sided enamel flange sign is a real rarity.  A petrol, or as it was more pleasingly termed at the time 'motor spirit', company that was formed in the late 19th century - Pratt's were amongst the founding father's of motoring. 

 

This particular sign was produced by Protector Eccles in March 1925. Unusually the maker's mark is found on the outer edge of the flange. 

This is a less common design for Pratt's 1920s enamel advertising - it's wonderfully bright and simple with clear blue letters against a bright yellow background. 

This example does the simple design justice as it remains clean and bright with a lovely surface gloss (which I've tried to demonstrate in the angled photos). Aside from a little chipping around the outer edges, there's no real areas of enamel loss. The discolouration around the outer edges would clean a little further if wanted, though sometimes it's nice to have a little evidence of the sign's age so that decision can be down to the next owner. 

 

The flange format of this sign would have allowed it to come out at a 90 degree angle from the shop/garage front and be viewed from both directions... 

 

The sign measures 56.5cm wide x 46cm high and the flange is 4cm deep.

 

#2087