ExxonMobil's Pegasus is a favorite of collectors of petroliana. Appearing on everything from magazine ads to gas pumps, and road maps to gas station signs, the winged horse has undergone a number of permutations over the years. From its adoption in the late 1800's as one of the logos of the Standard Oil Trust, to 1965 when it assumed its present form, Pegasus has been redesigned several times, changing from white to red, and even reversing direction! Knowing when each alteration occurred can aid a collector in dating his "finds," which can range from a 1940's ashtray ($8.95) to a pre-1965 first-aid kit ($46.00 empty!) to a post-1965, 8-foot enameled metal sign ($2280.00). (Note: prices quoted are final bids from recent online auctions.)

For an illustrated timeline of the development of the Pegasus advertising logo and a history of the company, with all its accompanying name changes, check the ExxonMobil site at http://digbig.com/4qdar. There's also some interesting information on Mobil in Europe to be found at Ian Byrne's PetrolMaps (http://www.ianbyrne.free-online.co.uk/mobil.htm) along with a fascinating Gas Station Collectibles Glossary (http://www.ianbyrne.free-online.co.uk/special/glossary.htm) at the same site.

And for more information on this and other petroliana, the following books are recommended:

"Check the Oil: Gas Station Collectibles With Prices," by Scott Anderson
http://digbig.com/4qbjx

"Gas Station Collectibles (Wallace-Homestead Price Guide)," by Mark Anderton, Sherry Mullen
http://digbig.com/4qbjy

"Mobil Collector's & Price Guide," by Wayne Henderson, Scott Benjamin
http://digbig.com/4qbka

"Value Guide To Gas Station Memorabilia," by B. J Summers, Wayne Priddy.
http://digbig.com/4qbkb

"Warmans Gas Station Collectibles: Identification and Price Guide," by Mark F. Moran
http://digbig.com/4qbkc