Mobil Pegasus Neon & Porcelain: The Ultimate Collector’s Guide to the Flying Red Horse
Darrien EouseThere are advertising characters — and then there are symbols.
Mobil’s Flying Red Horse is the latter.
For nearly a century, the Pegasus has been the crown jewel of gas & oil memorabilia, appearing on porcelain signs, service station buildings, glass globes, pumps, and eventually neon displays that lit up American highways for
Today, the Pegasus is more than a logo. It’s a cultural marker — a connection to the golden age of travel, horsepower, and the era when gas stations were built with pride.
Collectors know: few signs capture the spirit of early American motoring like the Flying Red Horse.
Where the Flying Red Horse Began
Pegasus originally came from the Vacuum Oil Company, which adopted the winged horse — a symbol of speed, power, and mythological motion — in the early 1930s. When Vacuum later merged into Socony (Standard Oil Company of New York), and eventually became Socony-Mobil and Mobil Oil, the icon evolved but never disappeared.
We breakdown the full history and explain exactly; Why the Mobil Pegasus the Most Iconic Neon Sign in American Roadside History
the 1940s and ’50s, Pegasus wasn’t just a brand image — it was a historical landmark.
Travelers could spot the glowing red horse from miles away, perched atop service stations across America.
Even today, most collectors of authentic vintage signage refer to Pegasus as the “Holy Grail” of porcelain and neon gas station signs.
Why Pegasus Signs Are So Collectible Today
Collectors gravitate toward Pegasus for several reasons:
1. The visual impact is unmatched.
The form — wings extended, body arched — is instantly recognizable.
2. It represents the golden age of American petroleum.
Pegasus evokes travel, optimism, and mid-century Americana.
3. The original signs were beautifully constructed.
Heavy porcelain. Deep color saturation. Iconic outlines.
Whether single-sided or double-sided, originals were built to last.
4. Surviving examples are scarce.
Many were scrapped as stations modernized in the ’60s and ’70s.
5. Auction values continue to climb.
A large, original porcelain Pegasus frequently brings five figures at major auctions. Even beat up and damaged smaller pieces — pump plates, flange signs, two-piece sets — command strong premiums.
Pegasus is one of the few petroleum logos that appeals not only to sign collectors but also to car enthusiasts, Route 66 fans, designers, and Americana collectors.
Types of Original Pegasus Signs (Collector Breakdowns)
Collectors typically categorize Pegasus pieces into several primary groups:
1. Porcelain Enamel at Pumps & Large Double-Sided Outdoor Hang Signs
These are some of the most recognizable.
Sizes ranged dramatically — from small pump plates to oversized powerhouses spanning six feet or more.
Most were double-sided with vivid red porcelain and crisp outlines.
2. Two-Piece Pegasus Signs
Some gas stations used a body and wing section bolted together.
These are rarer and highly desirable because of their unique shape and display depth.
3. Die-Cut and Shield-Mounted Versions
Mounted to Mobil “shield” backgrounds. One of my favorites being the Mobilgas Pegasus Socony-Vacuum Neon Porcelain Die Cut Shield.
Very popular among collectors and often seen in station promotional materials.
4. Neon Pegasus Signs
Introduced in the 1940s–1960s as highway advertising progressed. You might like our other post that does a deep dive in to the History of Mobil & the Iconic Pegasus Story
These featured handblown glass tubing outlining Pegasus — glowing bright red or pink depending on age and gas mixture — mounted over steel cans or porcelain faces.
Original neon porcelain Pegasus signs are trophy pieces in any collection.
What Collectors Look for in Authentic Pegasus Signs
It’s not easy to spot a fake and unfortunately the Racket in the Neon Industry has deprived America the quality and craftsmanship the country was founded and built upon.
The first step to identifying authentic vs original signage begins with Understanding What a Porcelain Sign Even Is & Why It Matters to Collectors.
Whether original or reproduction, collectors tend to care about:
• Shape accuracy
Pegasus has very specific proportions — wing length, leg angle, tail shape.
• Porcelain quality and color
Vintage porcelain was fired at extremely high temperatures, giving it exceptional color retention.
• Mounting style
Originals often have unmistakable mounting arrangements, especially on two-piece versions.
• Neon craftsmanship
Real neon — handblown glass, metal cans, porcelain faces — is prized over LED tubing or plastic replicas. Nothing can compete with the nostalgia true neon signs bring with them, it’s not something LED can copy or acrylic is capable of achieving.
• Brand accuracy
Collectors tend to prefer signs that honor Mobil’s original look without distortion.
This is precisely why modern, high-quality porcelain-backed neon reproductions have surged — they capture the feel of the originals without requiring a $20,000 auction budget.
The Rising Demand for Pegasus Reproductions
Not every collector can spend five figures at auction — but almost every collector would love real Pegasus signs on their wall.
That’s why high-end reproductions have become so popular, especially those built with:
- Kiln-fired porcelain enamel
- Heavy steel cans
- Handblown neon tubing
- Proper proportions and vintage-correct layout
A well-made reproduction gives the same nostalgic satisfaction and display presence many collectors want — without compromising quality.
If you're looking for a high quality reproduction, that's where we will shine. But, if you are willing to huntdown and defy the odds by going with original vintage, you'll want to read our breakdown on How to Find Original Vintage Mobilgas Mobiloil Signs and What to Look For
And importantly, collectors appreciate reproductions that feel authentic, not like LED toys.
That’s why every sign we make is handcrafted exactly like the originals. There’s a difference you feel instantly but many believed we lost forever.
At Porcelain Advertising, our mission is to bring back what American-Made quality once meant.
Everyday we prove, if you make them right, take pride in your craft, use premium materials, and highly skilled craftsmen; you can obtain exactly the nostalgic feel that takes you back to a moment frozen and time.
It was the level of quality and pride in one’s workmanship, focusing on establishing a reputation for being the best in the world rather than making it as cheaply as possible and selling it for more than is reasonable.
Check out Behind the Scenes at Porcelain Advertising: How Real Neon Signs Are Made.
Pegasus and the Modern Collector’s Garage
Today, people dream of having a Flying Red Horse round neon sign or the blue Pegasus Ethyl round neon can are some of the most common centerpiece displays in:
- Classic car garages
- Showrooms
- Man caves
- Dealerships
- Home theaters
- Route 66-themed spaces
Collectors want pieces that light up the room, capture the magic of vintage Mobil stations like an old die cut Mobil neon chevron shield handcrafted to celebrate the heritage of the brand.
Few symbols do that better than Pegasus.
Final Thoughts: Why Pegasus Will Always Matter
Pegasus remains timeless because it represents everything enthusiasts love:
- Motion
- Freedom
- American industry
- Art-deco beauty
- Gas station nostalgia
- The way things used to be made
Whether it’s original vintage, renovated, restored/repaired, or authentic round neon porcelain cans or premium authentic quality reproductions using authentic materials and traditional techniques; these iconic pieces of vintage gas station and service station history left an impression on the hearts and minds of anyone who remembers seeing that glowing outline in the sky.
The Large Cut-to-Shape Flying Red Horse Neon depicting the nostalgic silhouette of glowing red Pegasus die cut monuments; Mobil & Esso vintage signs agree this has always been one of those rare signs that always earns a compliment, always starts a conversation, and always elevates a space.
And for many collectors, it’s the first sign they hang — and the last one they’d ever let go.
