Sir, I am certain if I had your sign in my hand, I could show you that you sign 99% a fake or new sign. I was at Wasatch's house 25 years ago and he lives close to Idaho; therefore, sees Veltex stuff quite often. I have collected for 35+ years. I know you keep trying to talk about the few items Wasatch and I have mentioned and you want to believe you found the 1 sign that "may" be real. There are more reasons I believe the sign is fake. No split back grommets, 4 holes vs. 6, the "U.S. PATENT OFF" is the wrong font. And lastly, the bottom line is this. I would almost guaranty you the sign in not a "handout" stencil sign. That one fact "is" the proof, no questions asked. I am going to show you some pictures to prove my point. See the following pictures with green circles around the hand cut stencils for my Veltex pump signs.
Hmm... so your contention is that because the sign isn't like your 6-hole version, because it's not 'hand cut', because there aren't grommets, it's fake/modern?
So let me ask you a few questions.
1) How long was Veltex gasoline in operation as stations?
2) Did Veltex stations only use pumps whose were fitted for 6 holes for all those years of operation?
3) Did you see this plate?
2019 auction plate 4) Will you agree many authentic pump plates do not have grommets as the years wore on into the 60s?
5) Do you see non-hand-cut pump plates from the 50's and 60's?
Given the relative dearth of online pictures of Veltex service stations, it's hard to identify more than just a few early and into 40's stations with older pumps and one early 50's station with orange pumps w/orange background vs white background pump decals.
As I've repeatedly stated, I'm open to relative information in either direction. I believe your comments on the dissimilarity between early 6-hole plates being hand-cut doesn't preclude later plates being made with improved quality. I studied several 6-hole Veltex plates and saw a wide variety of 'quality' to the stenciling from offset like yours to examples on Liveauctioneers selling for serious money having more professional alignment. Is poor offset proof a later better aligned plate CANNOT exist?
Most images I can find of Veltex branding are early period and do show offset. But given the brand continued for many decades the dearth of later Veltex items limits my ability to compare font and spacing. Someone who has an extensive collection with 50s & 60s era pieces can likely make the comparisons.
I am still drawn back to the dearth of 'fake/fantasy' Veltex porcelain signs online. I do see some fantasy pieces on tin. Maybe you can point me to some sites selling these modern ones?
If indeed it's of 'modern' manufacture which would be following your contention, then it's a scarce sign of small production. And if that's the case I'm fine with that being true. It would at least give me reason to value it higher than the common ones seen if/when I decide to sell it.
Anyway, the investigation continues.