Petroliana is defined as “antiques and collectibles related to gas stations and the oil business, with an emphasis on advertising.” This category of collecting, which includes old gas pumps and globes, oil bottles, fuel advertisements, enamel or tin signs, oil cans and road maps, has a large national following that continues to grow each year.
Why the interest in old gas station items? Two of the most obvious reasons would be the availability and the fact that some pieces can be quite valuable. However, if you spend a little time with a true collector you will soon realize that more than availability or value, it is sentimentality that is the catalyst to their collection.
Petroliana reminds us of a simpler time. Cruising the main drag on a Saturday night on 75 cents worth of gas, road trips with the family and the thrill of getting our first car (junker though it may have been) are all memories that come flooding back when we surround ourselves with petroliana. Sound like something you might like to check into? Here are some basics to get you started.
Old road maps are highly collectible and fairly easy to date. As early as 1910 maps were given away as advertising and are collected for the historic facts they contain. Maps from 1926 forward will feature the addition of named and numbered highways, the most common being issued by Rand McNally. During the Depression years maps became much more colorful and will often bear the name of one of the large oil companies of the day. The onset of WWII all but halted the production of road maps, but they returned in record-setting numbers in the 1950s, being handed out by hotels and car dealerships as well as service stations. Values range from $5-$10 on the low end to $200-$350 on the high end.
In the days of the “service station” an attendant pumped your gas, cleaned your windshield and asked if he could check your oil. Oil cans were opened, emptied, and pitched in the trash so relatively few survived. The bulk of these will be 1 quart size but occasionally 6 and 10 gallon examples will surface. Cans from the early 1920s will be square and made of metal. By the mid-30s most companies had switched to round metal cans which remained common until the early 1940s. In support of the war effort manufacturers switched to cardboard cans which were modified to have metal tops and bottoms in the 1950s and stayed with us through the 1980s. Names to watch for include American Can, Columbia Can, National Can Company and St. Louis Tin and Sheet Metal Works.
Before the interstate system gas stations were often located in isolated areas with very little lighting so lighted gas pumps were used to draw in motorists. By nature they have received rough wear and exposure to the elements and in many cases have to be refurbished. This can be a pricey endeavor, so always get an estimate on the restoration cost before you purchase a pump in poor condition. A glance at recent eBay prices show fully restored pumps selling in the $6,000-$12,000 range.
Metal advertising signs are favorite mid-range petroliana collectibles. From the Mobile flying horse flat sign to the Pennzoil lollipop, these are great finds. But, novices take heed, reproductions abound, so know what to look for before you buy. Rust is common on old signage but it should appear evenly throughout the piece. Reproduction companies use acid to “rust” the edge of their signs to make them appear old. Old signs are most always steel, not cast iron. Check the lettering on the sign. Old signs were hand painted and will have inconsistencies. If you are looking at a perfectly painted sign, you are looking at a fake. Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com