Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Showcase and Stories, Petroliana M.O.T.M. - "MAP OF THE MONTH" - SINCLAIR

GOOD DAY MY FELLOW GAS GEEK COLLECTORS! WELCOME TO THE FIRST EDITION OF M.O.T.M. WHICH STANDS FOR "MAP OF THE MONTH!" YES, MAPS! AND TO BE MORE SPECIFIC....SERVICE STATION ROAD MAPS! EACH MONTH STARTING ON THE 18TH (LIKE TODAY), WE WILL FEATURE IN SOME WRITTEN DETAIL A CERTAIN OIL COMPANY WHOSE ROAD MAP HISTORY IS WORTH REPORTING!
IN THIS PREMIER EDITION OF M.O.T.M., WE ARE HIGHLIGHTING ROAD MAPS FROM THE SINCLAIR OIL CO.
WHILE THE FIRST SERVICE STATION ROAD MAPS WERE ISSUED IN 1915 BY GULF, THE RUSH TO BETTER EDUCATE LOST OR WANDERING MOTORISTS CAME IN 1920'S. THE UNITED STATES WAS
ONLY ABOUT 10-15 YEARS INTO NUMBERING HIGHWAYS AND MAKING MAPS TO REFLECT "WHICH
WAY TO GO!" AS TIME WENT ON BEYOND THE GREAT DEPRESSION, THE MOTORING AMERICANS TOOK TO THE ROADS FOR VENTURE AND EDUCATION OR TO JUST GET OUT OF TOWN FOR GOOD! ROAD MAPS HAVE PRETTY MUCH BEEN A STOCK ITEM AT SERVICE STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE LINK OF
2 & 4 LANE BLACK TOPS ACROSS THE U.S.A. OF COURSE BACK THEN ROAD MAPS WERE FREE, JUST LIKE AIR FOR THE TIRES! EVERY GLOVE COMPARTMENT ALWAYS HAD AN ASSORTMENT OF MAPS TO WHERE YOU HAD BEEN OR WHERE YOU MIGHT BE GOING!
I PERSONALLY LIKE ROAD MAPS FOR THEIR CHEAPNESS, THEIR INTERESTING GRAPHICS AND ADS.
ALOT OF ROAD MAPS FROM THE LATE 20'S INTO THE 40'S ALWAYS HAD AWESOME GRAPHICS OF AUTOS, TRUCKS, MOTORCYCLES, TRAINS, PLANES AND BOATS....SOMETIMES ALL IN THE SAME PICTURE WHICH WAS ALWAYS A PAINTING!
SO, LET'S GET ON WITH IT! SINCLAIR IS OUR M.O.T.M. COMPANY. WHAT AS A COLLECTOR CAN YOU OFFER TO THIS NEW FEATURE? I HOPE MANY OF YOU WILL CHIME IN AND POST STORIES
AND PICTURES FROM YOUR COLLECTION.
AND REMEMBER THIS...US MEN WILL NEVER STOP AND ASK FOR DIRECTIONS!

THANK YOU!

DOC @ THE AMERICAN GARAGES
YOUR M.O.T.M. TEMP HOST!

[This message has been edited by THE AMERICAN GARAGE (edited 12-18-2004).]

AS FAR AS MY OWN SINCLAIR MAP INVENTORY GOES, MY OLDEST DATES FROM 1940. SO I USED THE GOOD 'OL INTERNET SEARCHING FOR ASSISTS IN MY IMAGERY POSTINGS.
HOWEVER, THE EARLIEST SINCLAIR ROAD MAP I COULD FIND WAS 1933.
SO LET'S START THERE, AND IF ANY OF YOU MAP COLLECTORS OUT THERE HAVE ANY EARLIER EXAMPLES TO SHARE PLEASE DO SO....WE WANNA SEE!







THANK YOU!

DOC @ THE AMERICAN GARAGES
YOUR "MAP OF THE MONTH" TEMP HOST!

[This message has been edited by THE AMERICAN GARAGE (edited 12-18-2004).]

Doc,
Great way to kick off MOTM! Sinclair is one of the few early players still in the game.
I've got several Sinclair maps, the earliest being from around 1930.
I better get the camera out and get busy!
Bob

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[This message has been edited by bettin (edited 08-22-2005).]

Here are 3 Sinclair Maps 1930's






[This message has been edited by Midwest Oil (edited 12-18-2004).]

Sorry for the blurry picture. This is a graphic 5 panel map from 1933.

30's and 40's maps.

NYCmaps.

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Few SINCLAIR maps from my collection (KANSAS 1940) & (TEX OK 1950)

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[This message has been edited by bettin (edited 08-22-2005).]

Maps from the 1940's.


Maps from 1947 and 1948.


Mileage map from a Sinclair Touring Service packet.

Tour Service envelopes.


Tour Serv. folders.


Tour Serv. brochure.


Inside of brochure.


More Tour Service info.


Another Tour Service brochure.


Tour Serv. letter.