Washington Chief Gasoline Sign

3/1/2019

Mar/Apr 2019 edition
Issue #4 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Steve and Kyle Johnson

Original Washington Chief Gasoline sign. This brand was created by the Inland Refinery in Spokane, Washington, which operated between 1939 and 1957. Inland had plans to open stations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. The porcelain signs were produced and ready to mount as their new stations opened. Inland opened the 1st station in Spokane followed by Aberdeen, shortly thereafter they were bought out by Wasatch Oil.

The original signs went into storage with little to no value, only to start surfacing in the 1990s when a few of these signs in NOS condition turned up in an antique store in Seattle. I bought two, kept one, and sold the other. The original 6-foot signs have vibrant colors and have become very collectable and valuable. Prices for originals run between $20,000 and $75,000.

42” reproduction, which does not replace or devalue the originals, but allows someone to enjoy owning an affordable version of this sign at $300-$400.

Steve & Kyle Johnson

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10 Comments

Robert Burke

8/27/2019 12:43:24 am

I am looking into these Washington Gasoline signs. I have just done preliminary research. I would like to try and find an original if possible, but seeing many different sizes. I DO NOT want a reproduction. Can you shed any light on these? Let me know when you get a chance. Thanks
Robert

Sharon Spurlin link

8/27/2019 07:37:55 am

Hi Robert, I will check with some of our writers and see what I can find out.

Sharon

8/27/2019 07:44:43 am

Also Robert, you can put a WANTED ad in our magazine both in print and online for $30.

Alternatively - all subscribers get at least one free classified if you already subscribe, just submit your ad to me at subs@automobiliaresource.com, will be glad to get the word out for you!

Call or text at 954-579-5280 if any questions, etc. too.

John Mihovetz

8/27/2019 07:53:44 am

Hi Robert,

An original Washington Chief is very tough to find in high grade. If you are looking, I would suggest to keep your eyes peeled for upcoming auctions from Morphy Auctions. Morphy's has had multiple Washington Chiefs sell in the last few years, with values from $10,000 up to $35,000, and is the leading auction house for Original Gas & Oil Advertising.
I also suggest only buying from a reputable auction house or reputable dealer, as their are reproductions out in the market everywhere.

John

8/27/2019 07:56:29 am

Thank you John Mihovetz. Good info!

Steve Johnson link

8/27/2019 02:39:03 pm

Hello Robert,
John answered that perfectly. I very unique and hard sign to find. If you do find one, the owner most likely won't be getting rid of it. Some have gone for enough to pay for a full college tuition, so a very good investment sign for that owner. We personally have one in our family collection, and that's 1 sign that we would never sell.
Let us know if you have any other questions.

Thanks!
Steve
Garage Art
www.garageart.com

Wilson

6/20/2022 01:31:50 pm

A friend of mine passed, and the widow is looking to sell one of these to me. I'm not really a sign guy but I'd like to have it since it was his. The one she has says Oregon instead of Washington. Did they make all 4 states originally? Can you tell me the correct diameter for a good one? He didn't have a problem paying a lot of money for quality items, and it looks old to me, but I don't want to pay $20k for a repop.
Thanks!!

Sharon Spurlin

6/22/2022 08:40:24 am

Hi Wilson, you didn't provide us any contact information so we could reach out to you... If you could supply an e-mail or a phone number, we would put this question on our broadcast e-mail and get you answers.

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8/3/2022 09:32:02 am

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5/30/2023 08:39:59 pm

Amazing write up! Thanks for this post

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