Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Want to Buy Petroliana Socony toppers

Still looking for a couple different Socony license plate toppers. A couple fellows at Hershey indicated they had them but I have not heard from them since returning. The two I need are the original flat topper and one of the first designs with only two vertical ridges on the base. Any help in locating them would be appreciated.

Also looking for a Socony map from Michigan featuring Pegasus and stating "White Star Division" on the front (1933 - 1939?) and a Wisconsin Socony with Pegasus and "Wadhams" on the front, from the same time period. One of eight different divisions after Socony-Vacumn started using the Pegasus in 1933 advertising.





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[This message has been edited by Oldgas (edited 10-27-2007).]

[This message has been edited by mobilford (edited 10-29-2007).]

[This message has been edited by mobilford (edited 10-29-2007).]

I think I might have the second on on the front of my 57 ford?I'm heading out there now to look.

Nope sorry mine has 3 lines.

Thanks for looking. There are five different base styles. (1)Two vertical ridges, (2) Two vertical ridges above a horizontal ridge, (3)Three vertical ridges above a horizontal ridge, (4)Three vertical ridges above a horizontal ridge with a break in the middle vertical ridge (yours), and (5) Three vertical ridges above a horizontal ridge with horizontal ridges over the entire head and body. They were produced by three different companies between 1934 and 1935.

[This message has been edited by mobilford (edited 10-27-2007).]

[This message has been edited by mobilford (edited 10-27-2007).]

Were thes really only made 2 years??

Except for I guess the Worlds fair one..

Sure is a lot of junky knockoffs out there!!

The first one was made in June 1934. I think all the originals were made before 1941 except for the ones made in Australia and New Zealand. I have identified 21 different original styles (including out of USA ones) and 12 reproductions. I wrote a booklet about the toppers this winter which pictures all the different originals and reproductions. I have identified 13 different USA toppers. I often see reproductions sold on ebay as originals. I always contact the seller when I see this but most don't care. Some of the big auction houses have also not identified the reproductions even when being informed that the topper is a reproduction. My booklet is available for $15.00 if anyone is interested. I sold several at Iola and Hershey.

How do you know which ones are knockoffs?

Thanks for asking. There are a number of differences. All of the originals have characteristic shapes and mounting hole designs. Some of the reproductions are in different colors and have different wording than the originals. They all have detail (lack of detail in the repros) in the metal in the wings which you can see and feel on the back. Some of the reproductions are made of different materials. I have looked at hundreds of toppers at swaps and in different collections. I have shared information with several collectors that have large collections and have toppers which they have had for 60 years. I have hired a proxy researcher to go through dozens of boxes of information at the ExxonMobil collection at the University of Texas in Austin. The first reproductions appeared in the late 60's or early 70's so some folks have obtained one from their father or grandfathers's garage that they honestly think is an original and these are often misrepresented. I can find no dated published information that indicates any of the originals (except those from Australia and New Zealand) were made after 1941.

Man they sure are cool toppers. I would like to see a herd of them.. I got mine in a boxlot at an auction.

Which ones are worth most.. and least??

Good Question. I give a summary in my booklet about the range of selling prices. I always tell people that they are just a piece of tin worth about a dime, as with all collectibles, they are worth what you are willing to pay. The "America First" and "California World's Fair" bring the most, $200 to $400 depending on condition. This week an Irving Oil topper sold for $1075 on ebay which is the most I have seen a topper sell for. Two bidders who want the same item at any auction can often pay more than the going rate.

This is the only topper I have so if I collected them, I would buy your book. Since I don't collect them, would you please provide some info on this one? Year, value? Thank you.

No definitive date on this one but probably 1940 or 41. Sells for 60 to 200 depending on condition and who wants them. Made by the same manufacturer that produced the gold one that was reportedly given to executives as they have the same red metallic back. The gold one (and rurmored silver one) were given to executives possibly as service awards, parking privelidges, or ?. Any of you old time Mobil guys have any definitive information on the the gold and/or silver ones?