I've often thought it's sad that signs get separated from their history when they change hands. Well, with this one I have some information! I thought I recognised it as the one I used to own, when I first saw it pictured on here!
I acquired the British Dominions, together another Shell sign, from a building that used to be a garage many, many years ago! I was aware that what looked like an old weatherboarded shed had once been a garage, and managed to locate the owner. Eventually he allowed me to look inside to have a poke around, and was surprised to find a couple of interesting signs! After a fair bit of tooing and froing, I purchased the two best ones. (There were others, but they were really shot! You know - the sort of things people try to sell on ebay now!!!!)
The first photo shows when they were first brought out into the open, (the Shell is leaning against the British Dominions,) still covered in dirt and algae! The second shows the BD after its first wash down, but stll with a temporary wooden frame which pervented it from flexing in transport!
Glad I took the photos now, particularly the first one which I just love! It brings back all the memories of the excitement of finding signs from 'original sources'!