A killing freeze wiped out Samuel Mosher's citrus and avocado crops in the winter of 1921, and he pivoted to oil out of pure necessity. He borrowed against his inheritance, tapped into a well site Shell let him use, and started capturing natural gasoline that would otherwise go to waste — Signal Products Company was born from a farmer's ruin.
Printed on a soft, broken-in cotton twill cap with deliberate distressing built in from day one. Unstructured, low-profile construction with a curved visor, self-fabric hideaway strap, and metal D-ring for an adjustable fit. Each hat carries slight natural variation in distress and color, so no two wear in exactly the same way. Spot clean with warm water and dish soap; a soft-bristled brush handles the stubborn spots.
Signal Gasoline Company became Signal Gas and Oil in 1928, then entered a long-running partnership with Standard Oil in 1931. By the 1950s, Signal had grown into the largest independent oil company on the West Coast, before eventually diversifying so far beyond petroleum that it became AlliedSignal, a Dow Jones company, and the whole thing traces back to one farmer's bad winter.
The perfect gift for petroliana collectors, classic car enthusiasts, California history buffs, garage and man-cave decorators, and anyone who appreciates a genuine underdog story.
The Faded Label Co. — keeping the golden age of American roadside art alive, one product at a time.
