Description
Magnolia 3-bloom double sided porcelain sign 1920s 42 inch round – sold November 2025
Magnolia porcelain signs were common advertisements for the Magnolia Petroleum Company, which was established in 1911, with signs being produced from the late 1920s through the early 1930s. These signs featured the company’s logo, which included a magnolia blossom, and were designed to be durable for outdoor use at gas stations and country stores. They were replaced in popularity by cheaper materials like tin and aluminum around the 1950s and 60s.Â
Check out more old signs for sale at Moore Old Signs and Antiques
Origins and design of Magnolia Motor Oil Gasoline 3 bloom porcelain sign
- The Magnolia Petroleum Company was an independent oil company based in Texas that became a significant brand, especially in the South.
- Its advertising, including porcelain signs, was meant to be durable and weather-resistant for outdoor use on country stores and gas stations.
- The signs typically featured the company’s name and a prominent magnolia blossom logo.
- Manufacturing techniques evolved from stencils to silkscreens, which allowed for more colorful and intricate designs.Â
Decline of productionÂ
- By the 1950s and 1960s, porcelain signs started to be replaced by cheaper materials like tin and aluminum.
- Newer methods like screen printing and decals became more popular for production.
- This shift marked the end of the era of high-craftsmanship porcelain signs
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