This embossed tin Marchal advertising sign features some of the best graphics I've seen in a piece of 20th century advertising... The spark plug's shocks merge into the 'M' of Marchal - wonderfully vivid and ultra Deco. 

 

Marchal was established by Pierre Marchal in Pantin, France in 1923 - the company produced spark plugs, dynamos and lamps and had heavy involvement in motorsport during the 1920s-'30s. The company merged with SEV in 1963 and the name had all but disappeared by the late '70s.

 

This sign is, obviously enough, French and likely to date to the 1930s. It's lithographically printed on embossed tin and has survived the decades beautifully. A wonderful, original example. Over the years it's developed a light surface patina, mainly noticeable on the white areas. In my opinion this example has the perfect amount of irreplicable character. There are a few light marks and additional holes in the middle of the upper and lower edges, but nothing that detracts from the piece. 

 

The sign measures 54cm high x 45cm wide.

 

S/N: #1703