Q: Several years ago, while vacationing in Germany, I came across a sign being sold at a flea market. The metal sign is approximately 8″ by 18″ and includes a color drawing of Mickey Mouse in a car with a road sign nearby that says “350 M. to” with the dominating words “UNSURPASSED in mileage” followed by a logo with “NU-BLUE SUNOCO.” At the bottom is the phrase “IN TESTS AGAINST 14 EXTRA PRICED FUELS – MARCH, 1940.” Of course I purchased it. I would imagine that it was originally an American sign, but I know nothing else about it. Can you help?
Jim, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
A: Sun Oil Company of Philadelphia was a Disney licensee from 1938 to 1946, using the Disney characters to promote their Sunoco products on signs, postcards, blotters, etc.
Dave Smith