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#745264 Sun Mar 15 2020 02:11 PM
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I have two Conoco signs with the Minuteman emblem in the center. In trying to clean the signs I am afraid I might have faded the poor guy’s jacket! Are the Minutemen decals of some sort? They do not have the same shelving as the rest of the paint? Does anyone know the consistency of the Conoco Minuteman?

26A9CDAB-A3E6-4A64-9C44-5D3620271136.jpeg 561C184F-35D7-4209-9C0E-A6020B50AB14.jpeg
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Yes.i think they are,i heard a collector at the Escalon Gas Bash talking about that exact thing yesterday.


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I understand the porcelain process...but how would an inlaid paint decal work?

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Good question! I've never thought about it before and dont have the answer but curious what others say about this.

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Those signs are porcelain but the Minuteman graphic is a lithograph onto the porcelain similar to some graphic dinnerware.
Yes, unfortunately you probably did fade it and it's just a lesson to be learned for the future.
Great signs and enjoy them.
I had this example a few years back.

IMG_20160521_163033.jpg
Last edited by Man-Cave-Shoppe Dave; Mon Mar 16 2020 11:32 PM.

LOOKING-4:WELDING SIGNS,Charter/Finance/PulOil/Trulite/TruTest-Oils,True's gas CORALINE/RAINBOW, Gardner 70 items of Yakima wa., Wa/Or/Id Chief items
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Detail like on the Minutemen in the center is too fine to be screened with the coarse screens used for the porcelain process.

There are even a couple of globes that used a ceramic decal to achieve the level of detail needed for the graphic area of the lens.

Later . . .

Jim

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Thanks guys for your input!

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Couple years back, there was a thread on this very subject but for some reason I can't find it.
Any input from Kim/Minuteman??


LOOKING-4:WELDING SIGNS,Charter/Finance/PulOil/Trulite/TruTest-Oils,True's gas CORALINE/RAINBOW, Gardner 70 items of Yakima wa., Wa/Or/Id Chief items
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I just collect the signs and cans, no expert on making them so I would take Jim's answer as a ceramic decal to be
correct...offhand I think the 42 inch Kelly Tire signs must have used the same process for the girl waving as the detail
on her face is fantastic.
You do notice there is almost no shelving on these decals, hence no layering of porcelain I suspect.


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All the 25.5' Conoco Minuteman signs have the lithograph man on them. The Minuteman on the 30" sign is all porcelain.


Wanted: Conoco, Marland, Eason, Cliff Brice, Speedway and Oval E stuff!
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From your statement, I am a bit confused ...

What is the difference between the 25.5 & 30 except for the size?

1- Both Porcelain
2- with the lithographed minuteman as decal

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From what I have seen the 30" sign does not use a decal for the minuteman, the minuteman is all porcelain
like the rest of the sign, but with that the minuteman is not nearly as detailed as the decal version.


Wanted early tin litho signage.
petro, farm, auto, etc.
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Thanks for the heads up, Kim!

Now, I am clear about the 30-inch sign: non-lithograph version

Conoco minuteman signs had puzzled me for a long time. After extensive research over the years , I have learned that here are two versions:

1- Lithograph based (the sign maker used a special decal of the minuteman. So, minuteman is not layer-by-layer)

2- Non-Lithograph - art work for Minuteman is non-decal based, hence broken into layer-by-layer.
BTW, all reproduction are based on this style.

So, in a nutshell, I think, it is very difficult to "Vectorize" (layer-by-layer) any Lithograph based art work with “intense” details to get the exact copy of the original lithograph
art work. Porcelain sign process require art wok prepared in layer-by-layer basis.

I know this because I work with a super professional artist (has his own studio doing professional art work). I shared a CIGAR art work & he warned me that the outcome
would not look good. After vectorizing it, the new image looked horrible as it was not even close to that of the lithograph.

It was a good learning experience. That is the reason, I would want the CONOCO sign with the Lithograph version.

My opinions only.


First Picture: Lithograph Version
Second picture: Non-Lithograph Version

Lithograph _Version.jpg Non_Lithograph _Version.jpg
Last edited by henlovestoys; Wed Mar 25 2020 12:34 PM.
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I agree with your thoughts. The only other thing I will add is, the 30" Conoco Minuteman sign is a lot more uncommon and commands a higher price in excellent condition. This is only my opinion from my experience. I love all Conoco minuteman stuff..


Wanted: Conoco, Marland, Eason, Cliff Brice, Speedway and Oval E stuff!
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Ric,

Thanks for chiming in and give us additional info On the :

30" Conoco Minuteman sign

IMO, you are the expert on CONOCO signs since I have seen a photo of your "killer"collection you shared a while back.

Would you mind sharing a photo or so.

Thank you well in advance!


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