This Super Fina glass globe represents one of the most recognisable designs from the Belgian-founded petroleum company Fina, a brand known for its distinctive shield emblem and bold red-white-blue colour scheme.

Item Details

• Brand: Fina

• Type: Super-grade petrol pump globe

• Era: 1950s–1960s (most commonly used during this period)

• Material: Milk glass with applied coloured decal

Historical Background
Fina began as Pétroles de l’Atlantique, later renamed Petrofina, founded in Belgium in 1920. As the company expanded internationally, especially into Europe and North America, it modernised its branding to appeal to a fast-growing motoring market. The red and blue shield logo became its signature, easily recognisable from long distances on service station forecourts.

By the 1950s, Fina’s network of petrol stations had spread across Belgium, France, Germany, and the UK. Pump globes like this one were used as illuminated identifiers, helping motorists quickly distinguish fuel grades at night. The word “Super” typically referred to a higher-octane petrol offering improved engine performance.

Design Significance

• The shield shape reflects the brand’s strong, reliable identity.

• The clean fonts and vivid red-blue palette align with mid-century European design trends.

• The symmetry and bold colours made Fina globes stand out among other brands.

• Because the logo evolved over time, collectors use details like font style and colour layout to date specific globes.

This particular design was popular in the 1950s–60s before Fina revised its branding in later decades. In the 1990s, Fina merged into Total, eventually fading from the forecourt landscape — which makes its original globes more collectible today.

Collectibility and Rarity
Fina globes are well-liked by petroliana collectors due to:

• Their bold, eye-catching design

• Strong European brand heritage

• A variety of shield shapes and sizes

• The relative scarcity of intact originals, especially in good condition

Super Fina variants are more desirable than standard versions due to their grade-specific markings and visual appeal.

Summary

• A classic mid-century Fina petrol pump globe

• Shield-shaped, heavily associated with European motoring culture

• Represents Fina’s premium-grade fuel

• Popular among collectors for its style, colours, and historical importance

This Super Fina glass globe stands as a vibrant reminder of the golden age of European petrol branding.