For generations, Esso wasn’t just a gas brand—it was a symbol of the open road. From the bold oval logos to the glowing neon “Happy Motoring!” Sign with the original Mr. And Mrs Oil Drop characters, Esso’s advertising defined an era when service stations were landmarks and road trips meant something.
This collection brings that era back with authentic, heavyweight porcelain and neon signs made exactly like the originals. Real neon and porcelain truly is only way to instantly bring back the authenticity and charm of vintage American handicraft to your garage, Mancave, office or game room.
Is it worth spending a little more and waiting a little longer to buy real neon vs cheap LED alternatives? My answer is yes because glass neon signs consistently sell at auction for 2x, 3x and even 5x the price proving real neon signs are an investment.
Especially large neon porcelain signs for commercial design & hospitality application like an old 1950’s style restaurant, large showroom, or any business at once their space to feel nostalgic and warm by instantly transporting you back to a time or a place that you remember fondly that anyone from that generation and time is bound to have without feeling cliché, boring, cheap, or otherwise low quality in the eyes of the customer.
Whether someone remembers the die cut neon Oil Drop characters lighting up their neighborhood station or the large porcelain signs hanging over rural highways, these pieces reconnect collectors with a time when oil companies took pride in craftsmanship—and signs were built to last.
Why Collectors Love Esso
Esso sits at the intersection of gasoline history and Americana nostalgia. Its branding evolved through the Golden Age of American Advertising & Mid-Century Life, leaving behind porcelain and neon signs that are still some of the most recognizable in the world.
Today, original Esso signs in neon and kiln-fired porcelain enamel signs because of their longevity indoors or outdoors are still around today and often sell for thousands—making high-quality, museum-grade, custom glass neon signs for your business, hospitality, commercial, event space, restaurant, for an authentic retro vibe that doesn’t feel forced or cheap the way LED signs do.
Or take inspiration from our collection of American Made glass neon reproductions that add an instant sense of quality and attention to detail the way our American craft & heritage collection is brought to life through preserving traditional techniques and authentic materials in our Made in USA neon porcelain signs are perfect way to bring the history home without the auction price tag.
Our reproductions are built just like the originals:
- Heavy-gauge steel (not aluminum)
- Kiln-fired porcelain enamel
- Hand-blown glass for neon versions
- Crisp color accuracy and era-correct layouts
- Indoor display quality with the look, depth, and feel collectors expect
These aren’t props. They’re made to feel like the real signs in retro diners & soda shops for decades.
What You’ll Find in the Collection
This collection highlights the most iconic Esso advertising pieces, including:
- Esso Tiger signs — a fan favorite from the 1950s–70s
- Esso single-side and double-sided large porcelain signs to hang outside
- Happy Motoring! signs capturing the optimistic mid-century spirit
- Esso drop-shaped and shield-style designs inspired by originals seen at stations across the country
- Modern collector reproductions with porcelain-backed neon cans for a true vintage feel
Every sign is built with old-school craftsmanship, giving your garage, showroom, bar, or workspace the warmth and character only real porcelain enamel can create. It’s our belief in the world with AI, there’s an innate demand for handmade products combined with our genuine desire to offer the best the world has to offer (proud to say, we do); customers see the value in spending a little more to get significantly better quality while supporting a small business led by a passionate young Father who’s spent his life preparing for this moment. Since launching, I’ve learned some hard lessons that delays combined with underwhelming communication led to some customers having a negative experience which genuinely breaks my heart.
It’s important to remember, nobody is perfect and willingness to acknowledge one’s mistakes is crucial to address them appropriately and actually improve the customer experience by eliminating the root cause. Porcelain Advertising has quickly become the go-to trusted source by not only offering the best quality reproductions in a transparent and honest fashion, the market hadn’t seen since Ande Rooney. But also through offering a lifetime of expertise and experience collected over a 15 year auctioneer career, working with my Father to grow and scale his business selling vintage & antique reproductions for 30 years, and a lifetime of collecting and appreciating authentic original collectibles to help make sure nobody gets tricked by a cheap fake or taken for a ride at an auction again; by offering honest insight and advice on how to navigate buying original vintage sign vs high quality replica, what to be on the lookout for, and retelling the incredible stories behind the signs in our Guide to Original & Reproduction Neon and Porcelain Signs.
our honest desire is to do things the right way because it is the right thing to do and far too many companies have gotten away for far too long with taking advantage of customers and abusing the trust given. The buck stops with us, and despite coordinated efforts to stop us; remain committed to providing best in class service along with our already best in class product.
If we can properly explain the value being offered through transparency and communication such as showing and explaining exactly how real glass neon signs with porcelain are made, step-by-step behind the scenes.
The bet we made, that’s proven to be correct; most people will be excited to finally have a better option who’s actually offering what they’re looking for while simultaneously supporting a proud and patriotic American small business committed to celebrating and preserving the craftsmanship & quality that American Made once stood for.
Craftsmanship That Honors Esso’s Legacy
The entire reason Porcelain Advertising was founded to bring back the quality lost in today’s reproduction market. No thin metal. No stickers. No LED tubes pretending to be neon. Just legitimate enamel and glass—made the way these signs were originally designed.
Each piece is finished on heavy steel with vivid color layers, fired in a kiln for long-lasting durability. The neon versions use real hand-bent glass tubing and high-efficiency transformers, giving you that unmistakable warm glow Esso collectors know well.
Our Guarantee
Every Esso sign comes backed by our no-questions-asked return policy and full support from a family-run business that has spent a lifetime in the antique reproduction and roadside Americana advertising world. If it’s not the best reproduction sign you’ve ever owned, you can send it back—no hassle, no risk.
