Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion question for the globe collectors

I know very little about original globes but have the oppertunity to buy a globe with 15" lenses I believe is from the 30's. What are the things I should look for to make sure it is original ?

The most important factor is what brand it is. Not all globes have been reproduced. If it isn't a very popular globe, then it probably hasn't been reproduced. If it is super popular, there are probably alot of reproductions out there.

Second, most people reproducing globes mark the reproductions with a date or "Licensed by...". That means it is a reproduction for sure. However, many older reproductions are not marked.

In short, tell us what it is and someone here will know if it has been reproduced.

or post a pic or have one of us post a pic and you will find out if real or not,and maybe get an idea of value.

ok, I got a response to one of my adds and the guy says that he has 2 glass polly gas signs tells me he thinks their rare and wants 1k. No pics says he has to dig them out and I can come see them tommorow. I know that there are several repops how do I tell if they are real. If they are real what a score, but I dont want to get burned
thanks

I wonder if he means globe lenses or ad glasses?

Wes

If you found a pair of ORIGINAL Polly lenses for a grand (or ten grand) you're the luckiest guy on this site.

Zerolene:

I'm not aware of any un-marked reproductions of the Polly globe lenses. That doesn't mean the some dip-stick hasn't made some - I've just never seen any.

Mike Slama and I both reproduce the Polly globe lenses - and both of us mark our reproductions as such.

If the color is missing at 12:00 on the lenses - run. The owner probably removed the reproduction lettering on them to make them appear old.

If they are old - you should be able to tell. The lenses will show 'age'. I realize that is a bit vague - but old things will always have an aged look to them. Even if they are N.O.S.

Later . . .

Jim

There are unmarked repro Polly globes. I saw one sell at an auction in Indiana several years ago.

cut notch at the bottom center edge - wide tapered upside-down "v" shape.......

Just an update- Long story short the guy broke the lenses getting them out of storage (which is a shame because I think that they were original) but managed to glue one back together he said that the other shattered into too many pieces. Here are a few pics. What do you guys think real or not ? any value with it broken and glued ?
thanks

Wow- that is a SAD story.

I am not a globe guy, but my heart is in my stomach right now

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Visit 15th Annual MASS GAS BASH
September 7th 2008

The guy just blew $10K out the window.. tell him, make him feel sick too...what a shame....

Oh, my goodness....and other four letter words

I know what you mean, I felt like someone punched me in the stomach when I saw it. I thought for sure I would be looking at repro lenses but when I saw the one he glued it sure looked real to me

I'd still try to buy them. damaged or not, these are real, and still have a value. If you don't want to take a chance please email me and I'll contact the guy and give you a comission
Ray

ouch! big ouch!!

This could get interesting;;;;;;;;;;Ron

sometimes you can't even realize reality, why or how somethings happen...... that is just absolute sheer crazy....... wow

I have never been that close to a great item like a polly lens, but I can understand the the whole thing.Most of the pumps I have, I got at farm auctions in central Illinois handled by local auctioneers. I try not to fault them, but they usually cause more damage in one hour, than 50 years of harsh weather does to a pump.I know the guy who owned the lens was trying to be careful, just not careful enough, it's a shame. Norm Huff.

That makes me sick. I believe without a doubt those are real. Lots of money just hit the floor. Oh well, you can't take it with you, right? If Ray don't want the broken one, I will buy it. My offer is 500

[This message has been edited by roger cherry (edited 02-23-2008).]

I haven't decided if I am going to sell it yet, guess it depends on what else the guy finds. I felt like telling him how much money hit the floor but we were talking and he told me he is cleaning out his grandfathers estate, and that he owned several gas stations from the 30's-50's. He also said that at the back of one room he could see 6 more lenses stacked up but doesent know what brand until he can clear a path to them. Needless to say I told him to let me know if he finds any other petro stuff and for gods sake PLEASE BE CAREFUL when he pulls down the other lenses he thinks he sees !

This IS getting interesting. Good luck;;;;;;;;;;Ron

I don't think I would trust him to dig any more lenses out. Tell him you will clear a path and get them.

Want me to come get them out for him!

John,
looked like you already helped him with the Polly lens.lol!

Maybe he's one of your long lost relatives, John!! LOL

keithia - funny you should say that I offered to go help him go through the stuff just for that reason. He said he thinks it will take him several weeks to get to them because his grandfather was a packrat and he can only spend an hour or two a day going through stuff. I think I'm going to have some sleepless nights until he calls me again

See if you can get the cracked lens restored. Even a broken Polly lens should still get some fairly respectable money.

These types of deals drive me nuts!!LOL I've had car deals like this where I had to wait for the owner to do this or that before I could come look at them.Sleepless nights is right.It took me over six months one time to buy a Hemi Charger from the second owner.It could be a stack of more Pollys lenses or some plain Jane DXs or something common,either way it's still cool and I hope it works out better this time for you.
Joe