Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Showcase and Stories, Petroliana Knowing Where Your Items Came From

As a young collector, it is very hard for me to "remember" most of the items I collect. One important part of this hobby to me is the history behind items in my collection. Documentation of the stations where the items came from has a significant value to me. I have found some of my best items at the stations or through the relatives of people who owned local stations. Pictures next to the items in my collection really help complete the story. A while back I was in a local re-sale store and asked the owenr if he had any gas sation items. He said I have something, but he was not sure what it was. I looked at it and identified the item. It was a near mint globe that came from a local station. The owner of the station's son needed money and sold it to the owner of the re-sale shop. The station still stands today and has the original leaded glass that states "Berkshire Auto Co". This is one of the few items I have that I know the background on. I know the story is legitimate because I know the family who was partners in the station and have seen detailed pictures of it. If anyone else has items in their collection and has photos of them in use- please post them. I think this would make a good showcase topic.

Here are some pics of the station and Globe in 1940.

Provinance (sp?) is important in a lot of historical objects. I've been trying to get my Mom to put cards with family stuff for years.

Even without pix I am guessing if the collectors on here include an index card with where something was found and the history about it (if it came from a station somewhere for example) it would not only help them if they decide to sell the item down the road, it would help their heirs as well.

Just a thought...

I do an average job of documenting where I aquired an item and when I got, it with pictures if possible. My wife and I spent four hours at the Library in Peoria Illinois to trace the history of "Fabers Motor Fuel". Found out they only had 6 stations, all located in Peoria, Ill. between 1920 and 1940.all the info is in a plastic folder hanging on the globe.

I am the proud owner of the "RM" & "Manhattan" signs shown here on the Dallas, TX Raybestos-Manhattan building. The Grey-Rock sign came from the same plant but is not pictured. The person I got the signs from was the Nephew of the Gentleman on the far left in the photo "Mr. Brown", who was the "head honcho" of the plant. I also have a set of Gulf station "Men" & "Women" restroom signs, that were given to me by the son of the owner of a Gulf station in Centerville, TX. I know the history of a few other items in my collection, but all to often things have changed hands too many times and their history is forgotten. Thanks for the posting!

Dallas, TX Plant


My Home

Stating the obvious, the Grey-Rock is shown in the photo and not the Manhattan....

57tbirdkid.
I love researching the history on items I find. Not enough for me to have found something. I want to know Why? When? Where and more.

I try to document my maps in an Access database: I especially like to know which came from estate sales because of their relevance to highway history. Haven't made many finds in that area lately, however.

The sad thing is so much stuff Is being thrown away from many estates and shops. Some people just think some of the stuff is junk when it is a part of service station history.