Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion GPM auction, day 2

I had a great time at the auction today. Saw lots of old friends including oldgas regulars Rex & Nita Benson, John Jarvis and met a few others,David (DFHigdon),Vern (Gaspower), Craig Landon, Richard Weir. Sorry if I missed anyone.

I bought a North Star globe in excellent condition for a reasonable $800. Rex,Vern,Craig,and Richard all scored some great items. Hopefully they will post some pics.

A few globe highlights were:
Ascot globe for $17,000
Gilmore Red Lion for $18,500
Gilmore Blu-Green (single) for 10,250
Gilmore Roar with Gilmore (single)for $7000
Gilmore Ethyl for $3500
General Ethyl (single) for $2100
Smitholine for $7000
Magnolia for $4600
Signal for $10,000
Gulf Marine White $1800
Sohio Marine $1600
None of those prices include the 10% buyers penalty. There were plenty of bargains on the common (and some not so common) globes.
Flying A shoebox for $550
Mobilfuel Diesel (capco) for $275
Standard glass flame for $275

I'm not a pump guy, but I thought the pump prices were a little soft. Signs and globes brought strong prices overall. There are alot of items that didn't make the catalog that will sell on Sunday.

I haven't been able to make any of the summer petro shows so it sure was great to get out and visit with friends and bring home a globe I've been wanting for several years.
Bob

Not only were the pump prices soft, some of the bidders were a little soft in the head.
Nice Wayne 866, unrestored $2k +-
Plain wayne 60 with no glass or globe, painted mary kay pink all over including sight glasses, $ 3K ??????
The quality and rarity of the pumps seemed to have no effect on the prices. Perhaps a lack of interested pump bidders.

Bob, It was a great show!! Seeing a globe sell for $20,350 with a buyers premium was a new record!
I bought nothing... i saw a few items but didn't jump in there. I did stop on my way home and pick up an island light and the same guy has 3 globes i am working on getting. It was an experiance to drive 4 1/2 hours just to go see this stuff and well worth it.

What was it that went for $20,000+?

The Gilmore Red Lion Globe!!!

GLAD ALL HAD FUN!!! THATS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT!!!! FRANK..........

Larry,
There were some bargains on restored 50's style pumps. Look at what the Mobilgas scipt top pumps went for.
The showcase pumps went for $4250 each I think. Was that a reasonable price?
Then there was that nasty pink 60 that went for way too much.
Some prices were high, some right on, some low. Just like any auction. My guess is the sellers will be very happy with the overall results. I didn't pay much attention to the pumps but if the quality was like that of the globes it would explain the lack of interest on some items. I found many of the globes to be in pretty rough condition. Lots of repro fiberglass bodies (instead of steel), lots of messy caulk,faded or weak paint, filthy lenses (possibly stained).
Bob

Morning guys, glad you'all had fun , the Gilmore globe you are talken about , I just bought one from an old time collector from sacramento, I didn't know they made that many, but I only paid 1,500.00 for this globe and it says red lion also but a lot of there stuff said that,

Dwaine, That was a find at a Bargan price! Very nice cond. Would you sell it if someone offered you 20,000 dollars? I can't believe the prices that some people paid for the globes listed. When did this hobby turn into a rich man's toy spending spree?

COOL GLOBE...... GREAT FIND.

Mike Slama makes them , git your name on the list, this one is a real one though, just like the one Tom Lieber had made from his Sunset, then the price went up, for a repo, thats how in demand these west coast globes are,

$1500 for a repro? WOW!

Rob,
It's not just a rich mans hobby. There were globes that sold for $175 too. Its supply and demand. Right now there are more collectors with lots of disposable income than there are graphic globes and signs.

I'll never be able to afford that real high end stuff, but I'm grateful that I'm able to collect the items in my price range.

The thing that worries me is that the prices of the common items have dropped. That means demand has dropped. Alot of people quit buying when the economy started going south. Globes that used to sell in the $250-300 range are now selling in the $150-225 range, if they sell at all. Most of the buyers at the auction appeared to be nearing retirement age or older. There were several of us 40 somethings, a few 30 somethings but not many younger than 30. There are enough people from my generation to keep the hobby going for a long time, but after we're gone who's gonna buy this stuff. Most people collect things from their youth. Chances are if you're not at least 25 years old now you've never seen a service station. Most young people can't relate to our hobby.
Bob

SO IS DWAINES GLOBE A REAL ORIGINAL,, OR A REPO?? WHAT GIVES?? FRANK..

I am 24 years old and have been collecting gas & oil items for close to 4 years now. I agree w/ Bob. I meet very few people my age that thinks this stuff is cool or that show any interest in it. Most of my friends would think I was crazy if they knew how much I have paid for some of my "rusty junk." I have also wondered if the prices will drop after some of the older collectors are gone. Hey, that means I might be able to afford a Wayne 800 some day. Tick tock, tick tock:-)
Jason

Right on Jason, hurry up old fellas and keel over for some of us younger guys! (Just kidding) Ryan

I,M 26,, HECK ETHAN IS WHAT 14??.. MY FRIENDS THINK I,M NUTS.. "WERE ALL GOING CAMPING THIS WEEKEND,, WANNA GO??" I'M LIKE NAW,, MAYBE NEXT TIME,, I HAVE RUST TO FIND.. WHAT A NICE DAY HERE IN IDAHO,,HOPE ALL IS WELL.. LATER,, FRANK..

Well Frankie, I bet your friends didn't have two Veltex sales like you did this month, besides if you want to drive a big block, ya gotta work a few more hours..LOL the other Frank

To answer Frankies question, YES it is a real globe, and I don't blame the globe collectors for not wanting to buy or pay much for a repo globe in this image, but there not pump builders, who look forward to a new repo globe, just to build a pump to go with it, if you want to see a dreamers night mare, go to Premopetrols website and look at his Tokhiem 850 waiting for this Red lion to be redone so he can finish his pump, its waitng for the globe now, every time Mike does a new globe like the Wilshire Radio globe, he just finished that was perfect, Morgan jumps up and down orders three and knocks out two pumps, Larry the same thing,
ol Morgan drives through Paris Texas just a honking his horn and everyone knows , "yep someone made a different globe lens , there goes morg" ha ha ha ha . yea baby yea,
down in Az , the Aridillos get real nerves, ha ha , bar-b-que,

[This message has been edited by Dwaine Buck (edited 06-29-2003).]

Glad to here that their are younger ones in this hobby to keep it going! We must encourage other younger people, sort of get them into it as time goes on. Remember we don't own any of this stuff, and we cannot take it with us. It is all on loan!!!

Rob

I started collecting when I was 11. I am now 13, and have 6 pumps and 200+ cans. I dont see me ever quitting collecting either.

I dont have no bunch of money, but I buy what I can and have fun.

Thats what its all about Ethan. Havin fun!
Bob

That is interesting about the demographics of the GPM auction, Lastgas. I have noticed in my neck of the Illinois woods that the younger people (under 25) could care less about the hobby. We had a group over last nite for a party. There were at least a dozen college age kids here and their parents. I'm 48 years old, as are the other parents that were over (we all went to school together. None of the young people gave a hoot about my globes and pumps, but the people my age were interested and asked questions. A couple of the farm guys had stories to tell about shooting out the glass cylinders of the visibles when they were young and thinking nothing of it.

I guess a person just has to do what they enjoy and after we're dead not care about it!!

Wish I could have made the sale but something came up last week and it was impossible to get away. May have to be going back to Germany soon...I've never seen any petroliana over there (We must have bombed it into oblivion along with ther rest of the Third Reich)

Later guys.

As far as this hobby is concerned, I agree with many of the other posts that younger collectors need to be encouraged to join in.
Another huge source of potential collectors would be "car collectors". This hobby needs to promote itself to these "outside areas" if it is to survive in the long run.
Also, having a Petro collector's show that
was held on a Saturday & Sunday format would help in attracting new folks as well. Not everyone can make these Thursady/Friday events that seem to be the current standard in the hobby. Any thoughts....Thanks.

[This message has been edited by Sinclair Joe (edited 07-09-2003).]

I agree with the weekend thing. I just went to my first gas bash and was told by everyone that I had to be there Friday to get the good stuff. That sucks, I have to work!
I am young (31) and think this hobby rules. What we need is for the old guys (you listening Dick, Dwaine and Larry?) to give me some of their clockfaces. Then I could show them to guys my age, thus helping the hobby!

I agree with you Joe on the days, it was set up so the guy putting it on could rest on sunday, theres a lot of young collectors but the prices keep going up, so not to many buyers, ebay has messed up the price market on some things, not all, but you have a lot of guys 40-60 that did well through the Clinton years with the market, and there not afried to spend the money, Right now its the best investment out there, the guys on the left side just don't understand how rare a lot of this stuff from out here is , look at Bobs great buying he did , the gas bashes out here I seen 5 old rare globes , one went for 20,000.00 and it was a gilmore also, the guy that bought it herd it was comeing and had cash in his pocket, hes retired Dennis Griffin, hes lived in the same house for 25years , no bills, no car payments, the last Seaside globe was pulled off ebay, the guy couldn't turn down 5,000.00 , I've lucked out on a few deals myself, but the hobbies fine ,

The Hobbies is great.... The young Bucks That are comin up are the Seasoned gas geeks of the Future.... I consider myself middle of the road... I remember going to the Veedol/Getty in Upstate NY and filling my Bike tires on an old air meter and seeing those wonderful metal oil can racks with full service still in full affect and that unmistakenable ding when a car crossed the rubber hose. I loved it so much .... i hung out there with an older friend who actually worked there. It never occured to me to say ... hey ... you dont mind if I take that air meter or oil rack or sign do Ya??? Oh well ... many stories of the things that could have been I guess. I guess what my Point is ... although I feel older than my years ... I am not really that old and the younger fellas will cary on the Gas geek tradition. As keep learning ... I hope these young guys continue to learn....Lets keep this wonderful Historic Hobby alive and well so that this wonderful Slice of Americana we call the "Full service" Gas Station never fades from memory. Its too great and Historic to lose. I commend the young guys and encourage them to collect and learn more.
---------------------------------------------
A sentimental reminisceant Hubba in Shoreline WA

Morning Guys!

I for one hope the hobby survives. I know Jodi does - she' planning on getting rich after I die and she has the auction! LOL

Younger kids will get interested. They will see the stuff and be intriqued, and ask, then collect. My boys are planning on getting at least one of 'Dad's pumps' after I kick off. I'm sure that by that time, they will want more than just one pump.

I remember going up to the old 'Stone Station' with my dad when I was a kid. The gas station had been assembled out of 'found' stone and always had a couple of gear heads hanging around. Anyway, I was always fasinated by the little balls/marbles spinning in the sight glass. I supposed that is what fueled my disire to own a gas pump. I told my buddies for years that I wanted a (i.e. one) pump. when I finally got one - it opened the floodgates and now I have over a dozen. With no end in sight!

I still haven't gotten a pump with the little balls in the sight glass. Anyone know what pump featured that arrangement? I haven't stumbled across one yet to buy.

Later . . .

Jim

I think the Wayne 500 has the spinning balls. When you guys hook a motor to the computer on a 50's pump it should ring out every gallon pumped, is that correct. Alsowould be cool if the spinner worked at the same time.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> dodogas, remembers when the pump would ding and we would get a 10 cent Coke out of a Vendo44 at the HOME gas station!!

Wayne 500 and 505's have normal spinners on the sides. None on the front.
I thought the Gilbarco 906's had balls? The ones I have are still together and have "oldgas schmegma" in them but it looks like there are little balls in there. Maybe I will pull one off today... oh I forgot, bathroom is not done! I'll have to wait... NOT!
All this talk about little balls makes me sorry that I outbid Dick on that thong... sorry again Dick!

Bennett 1000 series had little balls in the site glass. I not sure if ALL Bennetts have them and Im not sure I want to. Larry

I have about a 1960 Bennett pump at work , first pump i ever bought. I will check if it has Bennett Balls but i aint touching them..LOL


<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I think Aqua is getting revenge.LOL..dodogas

Hi guys;; You're all talking about pumps with balls, thought I'd get my 2 in. Rapidayton pumps from the 50's had them. the short wide ones like Sohio used. Sohio's pumps were red and white porcelain, but they made painted pumps also. Don't know model # but they definitely had balls. Wonder what the female pumps had Hmmmmmmm''''

I have a short Erie pump from the 50's that has the sight glass on the side with 3 balls,yellow,red and blue.Its for sale.

I have a Gilbarco 904 with balls.

From Rex Benson...

I'm glad that everyone had a chance to see or buy something from this great collection. Many one of a kind items. You guys on the left side were so lucky to have this museum in your area.

Day two items were extended into day 3 so Sunday started with item #1000, that great Mobil-gloss die-cut sign sold for $1400.00. At 10:30 AM, the auction broke up into two rings. In the back, there were many uncataloged items found at bargain prices. My best guess is that there were aprox. a total of 1700 lots sold during all three days of the auction.
Day 3 finished with a lot of big box lots. Most seemed to be at bargain prices.
There were many new records set for globes and signs. The ASCOT globes sold for $17,000.00 and the two lens Gilmore with the leaping Lion sold for $18,500.00. The single Gilmore blue/green hit $10,250.00. Unfortunately these prices don t include the 10% BP. The Gargoyle fulpruf gallon jug with wire holder and flex spout went for $3,500.00. The two display pumps sold for the same price, $4,250.oo each. The Bowser oak cabinet with the three pumps in it hit $5000.00. The beautiful Magnolia globe sold for $4650.00. You can look up the results on the Aumann Auction web site for all items.
Many people that I talked to the last few months were selling items that they really had lost interest in or didn t care much about any more in order to buy something at this auction that they really wanted.
We met Jeff s wife and she was introduced to the group at the Auction. I asked her if she remembered the guy that the wedding cake was made in the likeness of a Mobil Can. She replied yes, I remember him . Hubba Hubba. We met a lot of the Old Gas guys. Got a picture of a few. We had a great time and feel very fortunate to be part of this great hobby.
Here are some pictures.

More GPM auction pictures from Rex Benson...





Thanks Rex, for the report and pictures.

Cool pics, never seen that big of a Globe Buffet, nice to see the pumps too, Thanks

Dodo,
That might not have been the biggest globe buffet I've ever seen, but it might be the most expensive!

The group gas geek shot is of Rex, me, John Jarvis, and David Higdon.
Bob

Premo Petrol
Sorry to disagree with you but I purchased that wayne 866 unrestored, I did not pay 2k like you said .It was $1300.00 I may be soft in the head as you say but I wanted this pump to complete a pair. And after all it was my money. I also bought a conoco script top restored for $1300.00. I purchased 4 pumps altogether and was very happy with them all. I thought the $18,000.00 globes were a tad high but Who am i to call them soft in the head? Acually my wife bought the pumps for me because I had to work. I think she did just fine. Mike

Sorry your Butt Hurt Dr Dent, but if you had bothered to read ALL the posts, Bob and I were discussing the prices AS THEY APPEARED during the auction. He attended the auction and he also thought the pink pump went for $3000. There were erroneous amounts popping up on the screen. My comment was why a nice clockface would only bid to $2000 and an pink 60 bid to $3000. Those WERE the prices posted until that evening for the two pumps when actually the $3000 was the bid for the Wayne 70 showcase. After the two Roman Columns bid, the online bid totals for the pumps went to hell making it almost impossible for anyone to follow let alone bid . Most of the prices were very low compared to the values here and several of the pumps were resold at a profit before they ever left the building on Sunday. Take offense if you want, but there was none intended.