Mobil
from Ads

Medium: Screenprint in colors on Lenox Museum Board
Year: 1985
Sheet: 38×38 inches (96.5 x 96.5 cm)
Edition: 190
Artist’s Proofs: 30 AP
Printer’s Proofs: 5 PP
Exhibitor’s Proofs: 5 EP
Hors Commerce: 10 HC
Other: 10 numbered in Roman numerals
Bon a Tirer: 1 BAT
Trial Proofs: 30 TP, each print is unique
(see Feldman & Schellmann IIB.350)
Printer: Rupert Jasen Smith, New-York
Publisher: Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, Inc., New York
Literature: Feldman & Schellmann II.350

Each signed and numbered in pencil, with their copyright ink stamp on the reverse

Mobil is part of Ads
(Click on picture below to access the Catalogue Entry)

1931 saw a historic merger of two of America’s up-and-coming oil companies when Vacuum Oil and Standard Oil joined forces to become Socony-Vacuum Corp. Together they formed the world’s third-largest oil corporation and trademarked the now globally recognized Mobiloil/Mobilgas brand name.

Soon after, they patented the “Flying Red Horse” logo, and their regal Pegasus appeared in advertising nationwide, accompanied by the promise, “A new sign rises to guide America’s car owners to the gasoline and service they want.” The Flying Red Horse became a familiar sight to all Americans, and an inviting beacon to drivers, with its crimson wings outstretched over gas stations across the country. Decades later, the ubiquitous Pegasus – by then one of the most recognized corporate symbols in history – was re-imagined by Andy Warhol as part of his 1985 Ads series. In the standard edition of the Ads series, the Mobilgas Pegasus was printed in its traditional primary red pigment, with electric yellow linework on the logo and Mobilgas name. Yellow gestural lines contrast with the red body of the mythical winged horse, Pegasus, in the center print. The color contrast accentuates the body of the creature originating from Greek mythology, making it the focal point of the print. This technique adds depth to the screen print. While Warhol chose a 1980’s-inspired neon color palette for this subject, he looked to a vintage iteration of the Mobilgas placard, one of the shield-like metal signs which would have swung in the breeze along Route 66. By taking a piece of Americana and giving it the Warholian twist, the artist looked to both America’s past and future, paving the way for a new generation of creators in the commercial sphere.

Auction Market Overview

No regular edition of Mobil sold at auction in 2024. However, TP 29/30 sold at Phillips in London, on 19 September 2024, for GBP 120,650 (USD 156,724).

Mobil sold 3 times at auction in 2023 at an average price of USD 82,076. It sold for its auction record of USD 100,800 at Phillips in New-York, on 19 April 2022. Furthermore, TP 6/30 sold at Sotheby’s in London, on 13 October 2023, for GBP 158,750 (USD 193,408).

Mobil sold only once at auction in 2022 at Phillips in New-York on 21 April 2022 for USD 100,800.

Mobil has been selling in the low 50,000’s until 2020.

Regular Editions

SBI Art Auction: 12 July 2025
Estimated: JPY 6,000,000 – 9,000,000
JPY 10,925,000 / USD 74,130

ANDY WARHOL
Mobil, from Ads (F. & S. Ⅱ.350), 1985
Screenprint
Signed and numbered on the lower left, Copyright stamp on the reverse
From the edition of 190

Sotheby’s New-York: 24 October 2023
Estimated: USD 60,000 – 80,000
USD 82,550

ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Mobil, from Ads (F. & S. II.350), 1985
Screen-print in colors on Lenox Museum Board
Signed in pencil and inscribed AP 13/30
One of 30 artist’s proofs aside from the numbered edition of 190

Sotheby’s New-York: 19 April 2023
Estimated: USD 60,000 – 80,000
USD 88,900

ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Mobil, from Ads, 1985
Screen-print in colors on Lenox Museum Board
Signed in pencil and numbered 69/190

SBI Art Auction: 14 April 2023
Estimated: JPY 5,000,000 – 8,000,000
JPY 10,005,000 / USD 74,779

ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Mobil, from Ads, 1985
Screen-print in colors on Lenox Museum Board
Signed and numbered in the lower left

Phillips New-York: 21 April 2022
Estimated: USD 50,000 – 70,000
USD 100,800
AUCTION RECORD FOR MOBIL (REGULAR EDITION)

Trial Proofs

Phillips London: 19 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
GBP 120,650 / USD 156,724

Sotheby’s London: 13 October 2023
Estimated: GBP 100,000 – 150,000
GBP 158,750 / USD 193,408

ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Mobil, from Ads, 1985
Screen-print in a unique color combination on Lenox Museum Board
Signed in pencil, inscribed and numbered TP 6/30 (lower left)
One of 30 unique trial proofs aside from the numbered edition of 190