Welcome to another month of looking back 10years on our hobby. This month covers the July 1995 edition of "Check The Oil" magazine. Enjoy.
FRONT COVER
The cover is a street scene of Shawn Watson's "ingenious" fold-up gas station on wheels, displayed at the 9th Annual International Petroliana Collector's Convention in Columbus. Ohio.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE
The editor, Jerry Keyser, reminds us of some of the shows coming up in the neat future. I think this paragraph in his article holds true today as well as ten years ago.
"If you are serious about acquiring knowledge about Petroliana, it is inportant to attend any of the many shows, as they are where the serious collectors congrgate. First, to observe and to handle the genuine articles. Probably most important, to discuss and ask questions. In attendance at any one show are enthusiasts with vast amounts of Petroliana knowledge. Go to the show ---- you'll be gald you did". Well said Jerry.
He then informs the readers about Scott and Debbie Anderson of Time Passages (now Scotty's Garage) involvement as technical advisors for the film "Bridges of Madison County". Scott and Debbie also provided a huge display for a Petroleum Marketers Association convention.
MAILBOX
This section contains letters and pictures from the readers. A very nice Time Premium pump plate purchased by Spencer Nelson along with a neat PennSeal Motor Oil sign belonging to James Cecil are pictured. There are also a couple of nice snapshots of "backyard" gas stations/general store.
If you remember May's article, it was reported that Russ Clement's 1926 station in fresno, Ca. was the oldest, continuiously operating filling station. This is disputed now by a letter sent in that states NBC-TV reported in a feature story on the "Today" show that the Teapot station in Zillah, Washington is the nations oldest, operationg station.This claim is callenged further by a Lynn Haines of York, Pa. whose family owns and runs the Licoln Highway Garage in York. The Teapot station opened in 1922 and the Lincoln Highway Garage in 1921. "Not only is this station older, but it has stayed in the same family. That Teapot has changed hands a couple of times".
I don't know if this issue has ever been resolved.
PETRO GALLERY
Fred Ray & Son's Garage, located on State Route 78 out of McConnelsville, Ohio is pictured from 1958. It was branded Ashland at that time
ADVENTURE TO OHIO by Rick Pease
Rick relates that this was his first trip to the Columbus show. On the way, he took some "shortcuts" that yeilded him a DX globe on plastic and a nice Archer Oil salesman sample kit. An old Standard Oil Company sign and several electric pumps had to remain behind because of the inability to locate an owner.
Some nice items he saw upon arriving at the show were a nice Esso Aviation sign and a round 11" Sinclair with "Dino". A couple of cans mentioned were a Avio quart from Midwest Oil Co. and a Blue Ribbon Oil Co. "Thorobred Motor Oil" displaying a horse in a circle. No pricing was given.
MULTIPLE BRAND GASOLINE STATIONS AROUND SANTA MARIA, CAL. by D.L. Cole
Multiple branded stations were quite common in Ca. before WW2 but not many photos were taken of them. But thanks to the Division Of Highways, part of the Dept. of Public Works of the State of California, hundreds of photos were taken of road construction, improvements, equipment operating, or any reason. As a result, many old stations were preserved on film. Mr. Cole then goes on to explain about a few stations located on U.S. 101, ouside Orcutt. A Hancock/ St. Helens Gasoline, Gilmore/General Petroleum, Seaside/Mohawk and several more are described.
1995 INTERNATIONAL PETROLIANA COLLECTOR'S CONVENTION, COLUMBUS
Not much show coverage in this article. No mention of attendance , items or any pricing. A few picturesare presented including the aforementioned Shawn Wilson "fold-up" gas station and the "ex-Bob Shaw" restored tanker truck.
PUMP OF THE MONTH
Jack takes a look at the American 288 & 488 pumps introduced in 1934. The 288 had a Neptune cash recorder and the 488 had a Veeder-Root computer. Great looking pumps!
AL BELL'S FLYING A FILLING STATION by Michael Karl Witzel
Once again, Michael transports us back in time via prose. This time to just after WW2 on old Route 66 cruising into Kingman, Az. The day to day operations are vividly described abd several pictures are included. The very large "Flying A" neon sign with flashing arrow points to "Free Ice" and the pump islands.
This article id probably my favorite from this month's issue. Mr. Witzel has the unique ability to make you feel you are actually there in his writings. As a roadside historical writer, he ranks right up there with our own Poor Man's Museum! I highly recoomend any books written by Witzel.
THE KEYMAR GARAGE by Steve Perrault
Steve , while out in the rural countryside of Keymar, Maryland, comes upon an old gas station. The station was a step back in time with all its original artifacts. The owner, George Lowman, no longer repaired cars or pumped gas but tinkered with his customers lawnmoweres. A 1940 Chevy coupe and 1930's tow truck wewre still there.
MWM-----GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN! by Dave Leach
Dave discusses the Mid-West Map Company. They are probably best noted for the very early Gulf maps. MWM'sare not dated, but Dave suggests to compare roads, populations, etc. with a known dated map of that area. Even with the lack if dates, MWM maps usually have some great graphics.
WEISS ENERGY HALL PART 2 by William Clifford
This is the second part of touring the Houston's Museum of Natural History's Weiss Energy Hall. This newly opened section explains the whole aspect of petroleum from its formation, discovery, drilling, refining and dispensing. Lots of interactive computer tools.
PETRO PANDEMONIUM AT THE HOOSIER SHOW & SWAP
Highlights of the 4th annual "Hoosier Petro Peddlers Show and Swap in Evansville, Ind. Not many items or pricing are noted. A one piece Indian Hi-Test and Indian Havoline were sold. Also mentioned were Tydols, one piece Sinclair, one piece Texaco Ethyl, Illinois Torpedo on metal and a Citizens. A pickup full of Shell oil bottles, signs, etc. was unloaded.
This is also the year a renegade raccoon entered show host Richard Bonenberger's garage and wrecked havoc on several globes. Hey Jarvis, you were not bitten by a raccoon in 1995 were you?
FOR SALE
GLOBES
Sinclair Dino NOS lens $135 pair, $70 single
Glass body $150
Marathon Regular single lens $125 Marathon Premium single $150
Richfield Hi-Octane 15" metal $650
Olixer 15" metal $475
Sunland Ethyl 15" metal $500
Motolal Ethyl 13.5 plastic $275
Foster Supertane 13.5 for glass $350
SIGNS
Texaco Skychief, still in original shipping box. 30" round dated 1939. No holes, mounts in lollipop tyoe sign or hung in metal band. Must see to appreciate. Still new, only one in the country. $1200
Texaco concave porc. 14" tanker truck from 1930's. Letters both sides. $1,000 full set.
Cities Service sign, tin, excellent $325. Cities Service round base $115
Star Tire NOS tin sign $175
Packard Approved Service sign. 48" round $2200
AAA Approved porc. oval sign 23"x30" red/white/blue $125
Shell NOS 2'x8' polystyrene panel with 12" red Shell embossed letters. Used on Shell Colonial style stations in 1960's. $150
Sinclair Dino pump signs $15 each
Good Gulf No-Nox pump signs $15 each
Speed Star strip sign $45
Little Giant porc. sign $75
Sun Oil Co w/Sunoco logo well #2 sign $150
"The New Mobiloil Special" 2 sided w/pegasus $225
Unocal 3' illuminating 76 disc sign. NIB $200
Sinclair HC 6' porc. $200
Gulf 6' porc. $200
Pure 3' porc. $100
Keystone tin NOS $100
Keystone/Pennzoil Credit Card flange $100
Pennzoil 1'x5' vertical NOS $200
Sunoco Blue porc. pump sign $100
Esso sign post $200
Hyvis Motor Oil DSP 17"x2" very old $175
Mobil flying horse 3 pieces $1200
Super Pyro tin sign $400
Texaco tanker $85 Texaco Restroom $75
North Star DSP 6'x4' $100
OIL CANS/CONTAINERS
Cities Service two 25 gal. bulk dispensers $115 each
Sunoco tins: Radiator Stopleal, Rust Resistor, Sun Tune, Cooling System Quick Flush $15 each
Texaco tins: Charcoal Lighter fluid $35 Outboard motor oil $35
Pure Sure tins: Spot Remover $35 Cleaner & Polisher $25
One Gallon Indian Head rubber lubricate #8.5 circa 1940's $65
Shell mini oil cans, salesman promotion. 4 different ones. 1930's $50 all
Mini oil can bank collection. 52 different $1250
Mobil Oil rack w/3 diamond shaped Gargoyle bottles & tops. Excellent. $595
Socony-Vacuum Gargoyle tin qt. can. Paper label. 1920's $35
Wonder Mist Cleaner/Polisher qt. tin can. Graphics of 1920's car. $25
Shell handyoiler, soap box derby lubricant $22
Standard Iso-Vis & Polarine painted bottles $70 each
Texaco Outboard qt. Rectangular w/birds, boats $20
Duplex Outboard 1/2 qt. NOS $15 each
Mobil NOS pint glass bottles of penetrating oil $15
Standard of Ca. RPM bearing grease 1 lb. $16
Havoline qt. metal cans $3.50 each
Sno-bil qt. $3 each Cit-Go qt. $3
Nourse Power Plus NOS rectangular qts. $15
Pennzoil Outboard glass qt. bottle $45
Phillips 66 cans: HD Premium $45 Regular (full) $60 glass 1 qt. bottle $75
8 Oil bottles w/carrier $100
PUMPS/PARTS
Wayne visibles $550 to $800, also Fry 5 gal & 10 gal. $1200 to $1500
Wayne 70 restored showroom finish $675
Tokheim #620 visible pump. No glass, new sheetmetal $600
Glass cylinder NOS 12"x27" $400
Original ad glass for National A-38. Singles-Woco-Pep, Pure, Chevron, Mobil Special $150 each. 3 Flying A's $150 each. 2 Sunset $200 ea. 2 Signals $200 ea.
Gilbarco 1950's good cond. No rust/dents $150
Bennett clockface. Needs sightglass, new faces $750
Wayne 70 pair for $200
Tokheim pair 1950's style $300
Antique gearlube dispenser on wheels. Has meter, air gauges, hose, valve. $200
Wayne 10 gallon visible. Cut #519G $1250 OBO
MAPS/MISC.PAPER
Maps: All NOS Gulf Twenty 1965 N&S Caroina and Georgia. Three 1968 N&S Carolina &Georgia. Thirty 1971 Florida, Forty-three 1972 N&S Carolina & Georgia, Twenty-five 1973 Florida, Twenty-five 1977 Eastern U.S. 146 maps total $175
Shell posters from 1950's. Many different styles $8 to $125
Sunoco Disney ink blotters $35 each
Mobil Oil cardboard, very graphic $165
Sunoco Micky Mouse ink blotter $30
1942 Oilzum blotter $15
Chevron USA mags. Vol. #1 number 1 Summer 1969 thru Spring 1977. 31 issues $30
Texaco and Mobil tanker postcards from 1930's. NOS $10 each
NOS maps: 1975 Texaco 3 for $3, American 1963-64 one bundle of 25 for $35 or $6 per map
NOS octagon gasoline coupon booklet from 1930's. Shows attendant servicing auto with visible pump station. $7.25 each or 3/$20
MISC.
Standard Oil 4 shelf display stand. 30"x17"x48" high, tapering in width top to bottom. Bottom shelf says "Products of Standard Oil Company" $150
Kendall neon clock, spinner #9 $650
Cities Service Pam lite up clock #9 $400
Phillips 66 double bubble clock, orange/white $88
Texaco 75th Anniv. 6 oz. glass $20
Quacker State key board. NOS logo previous to current logo $50
Quacker State two metal outdoor thermometers. One is safety related, one advertising. NOS 1950's $35each
Polarine watch FOB $95
Tire patch kits: Tiger, Big Chief, Locktite, large Cross Country, 2 different Goodrichs $17 each
Sohio & Esso oval plastic banks $25 each
Tidewater lollipop base $75
Mobilheat flares $20
Esso lighter, ex. cond. $45
Gulf Solar Heat rain hat in oil truck pack $10
Veedol Ford Oil gas gauge stick $45
Sinclair enameled lighter $45
Pan Am first aid kit $50
Standard oil racks for bottles $30 each
Flying A Axlerod dog brooch $25
Atlas thermometer, works $85
