Item: Mobil Pegasus “Flying Red Horse” Giant Porcelain Sign
Sold For: $6,500.00
Bids: 22
Date: May 17, 2012
Auction: Ebay
Seller: sneauxgator
Feedback: 100% (246)
Description and Image By: sneauxgator
MOBIL PEGASUS “FLYING RED HORSE” GIANT PORCELAIN SIGN
This is a beautiful Mobil “Pegasus” Flying Red Horse Porcelain Coated Gas Station sign. This sign was on my Father’s “Full Service” Mobil Gas Station in a small town in South Louisiana. I was pumping gas at age 7 in the summers and after school some days and this sign hung under a large canopy on the second floor wall that was the front of my Father’s office. He had quite an operation back in those “Good Old Days”. It was never out in the weather and never had sunlight on it – it was always under the tall canopy that covered several work bays and the gas pumps out front. It was taken down in the 70’s when my dad got ill and the business was sold. I got the sign and it has been in storage ever since. I had ideas of putting in my “Man cave” as we guys call it now, but the opportunity never came up as it was too large and I never really stayed in one place long enough to set one up. As with many of my collectibles, I am letting it go to someone else to enjoy as I did. I won’t go into Greek Mythology to try and add validity to it’s worth. Anyone looking at this item will either know what it is and know its worth or they will be clueless and should move to another site. If you watch American Pickers or Antiques Roadshow or deal or collect Automotive memorabilia then you know what you are looking at. Not meaning to be blunt, just to the point, as this sign does have significant value in the collectible world, in fact, many rate it as one of the most prized memorabilia to be had,…the “Big Red Flying Horse”!
Having stated all these facts about the piece, I can only now show you clear pictures and most accurate description so you can be clear as to what you are truly bidding on. As the pics will show, there is not one bend, crease, tear, or hole on this sign. What defects there are, clearly shown, are the normal porcelain chips that occurred on every Pegasus sign like this one that I have seen. It is unavoidable as the sign has four bolt on sections. It is at each of these joints that these chips occur. It is because the sign is so large and rather awkward to handle causing it to flex, thus creating the chip. There are 4 other very small chips that are not from this type of event. They are there from something striking it and causing very small chips. Note: These chips are all repairable by a competent porcelain artist. But this should only be done when and if the sign is bolted in place to not be moved again. In other words, wait until you have it where you want it and it would be flawless. Now I have seen these signs in all sorts of condition. On a scale of 1-10,..This is a 9+ compared to all I have seen. Most I have seen have enormous amounts of rust and holes. Mine sign is one to be proud of to own. You could leave it just as is and put in any nice office building or man cave.
Now the value. I have seen this same type sign, which to my knowledge is the largest ever made, sell between a high of $10,200.00 to a low of $7,900.00. But for this condition, and the size I will be standing tall on the reserve. I do not have it listed in other place as I am only selling on this attempt through Ebay. I feel most confident in the system Ebay has in place. No deals will be cut outside of Ebay! I am told by some in the know that the Pegasus flying “Right to Left” is the earlier edition and that it was commissioned by a different company and artist than the ones flying Left to Right. So I leave it up to the more knowledgable winning bidder to have done his home work and and bid accordingly. My description is accurate, pictures back it and I wish the best to whoever takes it home! This leads to shipping. My absolute belief is that anyone purchaseing this rare piece should pick it up personally. I would like to meet the buyer anyway. Secondly, I am big into “Road Trips” and don’t mind at all working out delivering as long as my fuel costs and food expenses are covered. Nothing more as I view it as a reason to make a trip, hopefully to somewhere I haven’t been. Third option is to meet halfway and cover my costs the same. I am not out to be a delivery person, just feel expenses covered is fair and would be far cheaper than commercial shipping. Plus, I will get it there in same condition as purchased. Last option is the buyer have arrangements made to have picked up here in Lafayette, Louisiana and be responsible for all costs. In this scenario, I would demand a sign off letter as to condition when it left my office. All this verbiage may seem a bit like “Legalese”, but we are not talking about buying box of golf balls. So, if you are serious about owning one of the finer “Pegasus” signs left, For Sale, (Some just simply not for sale), then take a good look at mine.
Sneauxgator.
Note: Do your research. But count on this, it is the largest one made in this style. About (94 inches from front hoof to rear hoof.) and it is 3″ thick, (the border of the sign that shows white.) Both original brackets are still on it. The backside is in extremely good condition and all mounting stands on backside are solid. One has very light coat of surface rust, the others are all very good. The sign weighs approximately 80 pounds, guessing as very hard to weigh. Takes two solid people to maneuver so as not to let it flex. Thats it!