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Posted By: timeandabottle Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Mon Mar 25 2013 01:38 AM
Wow, the wife and I met some fabulous folks lately who invited us to their home to possibly purchase some antiques that their kids did not anything to do with. We got home a while ago and happy to report we got this Wayne Model 515 for $250.00. The 31" Pennzoil sign in frame for $75. We also got a large deco gear for $5, an early 1900's shopping cart for $20, a 25 lb walking tractor sprinkler for $10, and an early 1900's log roller that's 6 foot long for $15. We are tickled and believe it or not, they were happy to sell it to us at that price. They use to be antique dealers. Had to post this 'cause I'm elated right now!!! (have to figure out how to load pics in this section??)
Here is the Wayne 515 pump.


Description: Wayne 515 and vintage Pennzoil sign.
Attached picture Wayne515New HomeSmaller.jpg
Here is the Pennzoil sign in frame!

Attached picture Pennzoil sign smaller.jpg
Posted By: advertologist Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Mon Mar 25 2013 01:57 AM
congratulations- you did well.. cool
Thanks! Any idea on the age of the Pennzoil sign? I'm thinking mid-fifties but have no clue actually!
Posted By: TheRoyalCrown Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Mon Mar 25 2013 02:23 AM
I may be wrong but I believe that pennzoil is painted metal and not porcelain
Posted By: advertologist Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Mon Mar 25 2013 02:24 AM
mid fifties or earlier, 300. - 400. model- a beauty.. cool
Posted By: azjockey Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Mon Mar 25 2013 03:00 AM
What some great prices. You did good.
Posted By: Dave's Garage Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Mon Mar 25 2013 06:59 AM
Great start to your collection!
Posted By: Steven C. Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Mon Mar 25 2013 09:36 AM
Wow!! Like Randy said, that Pennzoil is a beauty!! And even more so at $75!! Heck I would think the frame alone should have cost you at least that. Great finds!!
Can you confirm like Royal asked, is it for sure porcelain?
Also, how is it attached to the frame? Is it in a groove and welded into the frame or is there a way to get it out? It may be dated along it's edge behind the frame.
Posted By: Steven C. Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Mon Mar 25 2013 10:21 AM
Another thing of note on the sign. It does not have the "REG. U.S. Pat. Off" that most of these signs have. This could be a good clew to research relative to it's date, or a bigger concern, and I'm not saying anything, but it's authenticity.
I also just noticed something. I can't find a representation of the Pennzoil logo with that round "O". The only thing that comes close is Z7 can from the 80's.
I would sure like to see if there are any markings along the edge of this sign.
You guys are sharp! I'll look into your questions tomorrow. (today is busy, busy, busy,) and let you know.
Posted By: Huskerscott Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Mon Mar 25 2013 04:38 PM
What brand is the tractor sprinkler?
It's and F.D. Kees, Model 102 and is complete, no missing parts. Cool looking and about 25 pounds. Unvelievabel what a bit of water pressure can do...or move!
SC62: I just noticed that the "SAFE LUBRICATION" text is straight across and not curved or tangent to the frame like all others I've found on google. Also of note is that there is no highlighting on the letters that penetrate the bell. This is either completely fake or real scarce to rare. Interesting, I gotta check this out real close now!
Posted By: Steven C. Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Mon Mar 25 2013 06:28 PM
There is one possibility on the Pennzoil sign. Iv'e seen early signs that had brown bells and were round. Could it be that this sign is some kind of very early version of the oval? If so this would really be a GREAT find. But it would have to be proven if you wanted to value it as such. But even the older round ones don't have this "O" and the "P" is also alwasy more squared off.
Just a thought.

Can you confirm that it is surely porcelain?
I did a google search on images and did find several with the round "o" but they were rectangular signs. The moment I get home I will verify if porcelain or painted. Thanks for your help.
If it is the one I'm thinking it is, Your sprinkler is worth what you paid for the pump and maybe more! Those are soooo cool and a lot of other people think so too.
Something is hitting in my memory of a picture of a very old gas station that had a main sign with something similar to your Penzoil sign sticking off to the side of the main sign for that station. I seem to remember it kind of going out into the street, but up high enough to not be in the way, in the pic. I don't remember if it was in that 9 minute U tube vid, http://www.oldgas.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=404483&#Post404483
or in some of the MANY other pictures of old stations that I have been looking at lately. If I find it again I will post.
Thats all very cool and you should post pics of everything if you get the chance and are willing. Thanx for sharing the story!
I'll look through that link. Thanks. GREAT NEWS--This sign is definitely, 100% porcelain!
I believe this is one of the first Pennzoil signs from 1925. I found this add and look at the bucket. I think it was a lollipop stand sign and the side brace and long bar were added on. See link: http://www.amazon.com/Across-America-Pennzoil-Automobile-Linton/dp/B005HLKKYS
You'll have to copy and paste.
Posted By: Steven C. Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Tue Mar 26 2013 12:53 PM
Originally Posted By: timeandabottle
I believe this is one of the first Pennzoil signs from 1925. I found this add and look at the bucket. I think it was a lollipop stand sign and the side brace and long bar were added on. See link: http://www.amazon.com/Across-America-Pennzoil-Automobile-Linton/dp/B005HLKKYS
You'll have to copy and paste.


I'm sorry to disagree Scott, but this add isn't doing it for me. Both the bucket and the main logo in the bottom right corner have the squared off P and O in my opinion.

Also I knew there was something else about this sign that was making it look different to my eye than others. The bell is not broken at the letters at all. You will see people refer to "full bell" or "not full bell". On stuff newer than early 60's the bell will be completely gone as it passed through the letters. And on stuff older than that time, the bell will pass through the letters but be broken. On this sign the letters and bell are completely solid. Hmm....????
Summary: Definately a porcelain sign. Rounded P and O like the old rectangular signs. Lollipop stand customized to be a wall hanger. Hanger is riveted together. Entire sign was painted on both sides with the business: SPENCER AND CO. ASSAYERS. The side you see has some remnants of this remaining, the reverse side still has this logo but through flaked areas of paint the Pennzoil is beneath. I will post some pics showing the above now. Any help in authenticating this would be appreciated immensely.


Description: Reverse of sign
Attached picture SpencerAssayers.JPG
porcelain pothole


Description: porcelain pothole
Attached picture Porcelain Hole.JPG
Posted By: KZ1000 Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Tue Mar 26 2013 06:13 PM
You did good, No need to stress about your sign, it is an original, don't know why there is any question about it.
Close up of the bell. Everything about this sign says "old" and I wonder if this was a very short run logo?


Description: Bell Close Up
Attached picture BellCloseUp.JPG
Posted By: Steven C. Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Tue Mar 26 2013 06:31 PM
Originally Posted By: KZ1000
You did good, No need to stress about your sign, it is an original, don't know why there is any question about it.


For me it's only about trying to date it. I have been trying to date my own and this one throws an interesting wrench into the puzzle. I don't believe we can ever nail it down to a specific year but it's interesting to paint a story. And this sign showed up with so many interesting features for one of these type signs.
That close up has beautiful, amazing corners and definition! What a great sign and with that wording that was painted over it, I would start doing ad research on ebay going back to the early teens! IT HAS OLD STANK ALL OVER IT!! in my opinion,,, ha ha
It will also be easy to clean the paint off and clean it up but try to do the clean up with the sign still in the bracket to not pop any porcelain because it looks like it hardly has any porcelain loss.
It's a BEAUT!
Man-Cave I found something out of great interest. The sign came from an old mining town in Colorado called Cripple Creek. It turns out a man named Spencer Penrose practically founded that mining district as well as the Kennecott Copper Mine in Salt Lake City. He founded the Pikes Peak road race as well among other numerous things. They even give a trophy to the NCAA Hockey Coach Of The Year called the Spencer Penrose Award. He was also into assaying early in his career. If I can find a picture showing this sign that would be awesome! My gut says it is linked to him and I'll never remove the paint from the opposite side. It's pretty darn cool also!
$20 reward to anyone who can link the sign to a photo from Cripple Creek Colorado!
I grew up in North Denver/Westminster and Cripple Creek was always a fun stop while driving through the mountains. I miss my mountains and my home state!
I've got to hit a good research source to find out more about my G&J Tires sign and it's possible connection to Indy Motor Speedway. I'm probably going to either get into pics at National Library but I'm thinking of getting a hold of the historical society or dept. for IMS.
Yours should be relatively easy if your able to find historical pics of Cripple Creek and of Mr. Penrose. There should be quite a few pics for you to look through with how popular that town was during the late 1800s and 1900s.
Good luck and keep diggin for gold!
Posted By: Huskerscott Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Wed Mar 27 2013 06:13 PM
Originally Posted By: timeandabottle
It's and F.D. Kees, Model 102 and is complete, no missing parts. Cool looking and about 25 pounds. Unvelievabel what a bit of water pressure can do...or move!




That sprinkler was made about 2 miles from me. They just tore down the building a few months ago. Glad you saved it from the scrap man. They don't build them like that anymore.
Posted By: Steven C. Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Fri Mar 29 2013 08:49 AM
I contacted an old Pennzoil guy who had collected from about 1987 thru 2004, that I had met through eBay in order to find out what I could about this round "O".
He sent me this picture, which I then looked up in the Tom Allen American Oil Cans book. The book places it in the 30's but does not get any more accurate than that. It is the only can in the book with this round "O" that I could find.
What's strange though is on the front of the can , which was shown in the book but not pictured here, the main logo has the classic squared "O". This round "O" only appears in this secondary logo on the back of the can.
He also sent this sign picture with the round "O" but no date.
So this deosn't do a whole lot as far as dating your sign, it's just another piece of the puzzle.

Attached picture round O can.jpg
Attached picture round o sign.jpg
Posted By: Gasman84470 Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Sun Mar 31 2013 01:44 PM
Hey maybe you should ask "The Band" after all they sang about their 60s experience-Up On Cripple Creek. Unfortunately I am sure the surviving members barely remember that decade.
Fred
Posted By: advertologist Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Wed Apr 03 2013 03:26 AM
another unusual pennzoil sign.. cool
ebay # 281087698038
Posted By: pauvictoria Re: Our first gas pump and porcelain oil sign!!! - Mon Apr 08 2013 04:09 PM
Dear friend TheRoyalCrown.
I want to contact with you about an old collectible you showed weeks ago.
Here are my email: pauvictoria@gmail.com
Sincerely, Pau.
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