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#218811 Mon Dec 13 2010 09:11 AM
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Kelly W Offline OP
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Greetings to all,
Newbie here. My maiden name is Riley and cars have always held a key place in my family. I've aquired Riley Bros. "That's Oil" quart cans as Christmas gifts for my nephews, brothers & dad. I know nothing of the company or petroliana, it was the Riley name that caught my eye. I'd like to find some history on the company to include, but am coming up empty on the web. Can you recommend a place I might look?
Thank you, Kelly

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Here is a link on a company that may be the one you are talking about! Cool truck!


http://www.whriley.com/history.htm


Rare pumps, Chevrolet items, Goldon Tip Gasoline, Marathon (running man)
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Welcome to oldgas.

Ryan


FREEDOM oil items wanted.




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Welcome to Oldgas, Kelly.

I believe this might be the Riley Bros Inc. you are looking for?



If so, I haven't found any info on them.


Looking for Tide Water/ Tide Water-Associated/ Tidewater items
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WELCOME TO OLD GAS KELLY ! I'M SURE YOU WILL GET SOME INFORMATION RILEY BROS. ON THIS FORUM, I JUST DID A QUICK GOOGLE AND CAME UP WITH ALOT OF PHOTOS UNDER "IMAGES" SOME THAT LINKED BACK TO OLD GAS! SO THERE SHOULD BE SOME FOLKS THAT CAN POINT YOU TO THE COMPANY HISTORY! GOOD LUCK!


CHRIS
BUYING ANYTHING EARLY HUMBLE OIL CO.
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DIESEL #218837 Mon Dec 13 2010 11:54 AM
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Kelly: Welcome to oldgas. Hope youwill jump in and show us pics of what you collect and contribute to the conversations. welcome......


Alex
Looking for Texaco and Power Gasoline items
Alex #218849 Mon Dec 13 2010 01:30 PM
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Welcome to oldgas.
Be just as careful w/ cans as w/ pumps, they will Multiply faster than rabbits. Better start now on expanding the House & garage, start by putting up shelves!

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Riley Bros. Oil and Gas is from Burlington, IA which is roughly 45 minutes from me. I think they where still in business into the 60's. The last cans that they made where aluminium and had a paper label. I have several pictures of cans that I can post on here later if you like. This is the red on white version of the can, RB 500. There is a white on red version, same with the yellow and red cans. I also have a couple riley cans for sale if interested.

006.JPG
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I have been in thier warehouse, which has changed hands several times in the past years. My dad got stuff out of it when I was in high school and I went back roughly 5 years ago and got a few more things.

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This may help date the company's operating years.
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad had an easement onto Riley Brothers property from 1942 - 1968.

Source: http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/spec-coll/msc/ToMsC800/MsC782/fullCRIPcollection.html

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Kelly W Offline OP
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Thanks - interesting history. Unfortunatley not the Riley Bros. I'm looking for.

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Kelly W Offline OP
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That's the one! In fact I ended up with one of those cans as well as the quarts. Mine doesn't look that good though. I've read elswhere on this site about using WD40 & aluminum foil to cleanup the bare metal areas, and dish soap on the painted portions. Should I wax the cans after cleaning them up?

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Kelly W Offline OP
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Thanks for the info. I have 4 of the yellow on red, and one red on yellow. All are paint on solid metal cans. And all are full unopened. I might be inerested in a red on white and/or white on red all metal, full unopened - if it's within my budget.

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Kelly, I'm sure all the relatives will love the gift at Christmas. Who knows, one of them may become addicted to collecting like the rest of us. There are a few Riley cans on ebay right now. If you decide to bid you might want to use the ebay link from this site so oldgas will get a commission from ebay to help with the costs of keeping this site up and running.

Here are the auction numbers. Good luck and let us know how they all reacted to the cans.

270678847960
380267794193
270678852335
270660161206
280587182772
250740739662
250740739432


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Riley cans seem to be very plentiful here in the mid-west. Just go to the next Iowa Gas at Des Moines, the cans will be all over the place. I have seen cases of them for sale years ago.
I have seen many of their cans, where everything is identical, except what is in the can, and that is printed (like a stencil) across the bottom of the can. They never had much variety, most of their cans looked the same.

Jack Sim


Author, 1st & 2nd editions of Gas Pump ID book, 3rd edition is now available at www.gaspumpbible.com
Air Meter ID book also available

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