Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Petroliana Value Questions Shell Outboard Motor Oil—Six Unopened Half-Pint Ca

Hello, I’m hoping members can help identify the approximate age, scarcity and current collector value of this Shell Outboard Motor Oil display carton and its contents.

My husband and I purchased a piece of land with an old gas station and repair garage on it. What began as a cleanup project has turned into something entirely different because we keep uncovering pieces of the station’s history—and admittedly, the cleanup is taking much longer now.
These items just hit differently when you find them where they were originally used and stored. Even something as ordinary as a can of lubricant was once thoughtfully designed—the colors, lettering, graphics and presentation were all created to catch a customer’s attention. Finding the cans still unopened and together in their original display carton made us stop and appreciate something we might once have overlooked.

The carton contains six one-half-pint cans of Shell Outboard Motor Oil for two-cycle engines. All six cans appear to be unopened and retain their original contents.
The cans were found together in this original Shell display carton inside an old gas station. I have not used water, chemicals, polish, rust remover or abrasive cleaning because I did not want to damage the printing, cardboard, original finish or historical integrity. I would appreciate advice if members believe any additional cleaning is appropriate; otherwise, I intend to preserve the original surfaces and patina.

The cardboard carton has age-related dirt, discoloration, edge wear, tears and surface loss. The cans show storage wear, staining and some oxidation around the rims, but the printed graphics remain visible. I have included photographs showing the carton, cans and their present condition from several angles.

What approximate decade is this Shell packaging from?
Is the original six-can display carton particularly scarce?
What would be a reasonable current collector-value range for the complete carton and six unopened cans in this condition?

Thank you in advance for any information you would be able to provide.

Hi, Vintage Ira. You posted the exact same questions about these SHELL cans, along with the exact same photos, here in Old Gas "Value Questions" back in JANUARY. I'm sure the pricing hasn't changed that much since then, although you may have expected to get more background information at that time. Inquiries looking for very basic info happen a lot here on Old Gas, as some newcomers seek to gather copy points for a "For Sale" ad.

It would be great to see a few photos of the vintage gas station on your property. The members here enjoy seeing old gas stations that have survived to some extent. I think it gets our imaginations going back to times past that many of us lived though. John

https://www.oldgas.com/forum/ubbthr...Main=141394&Number=821053#Post821053

The clam Shell graphic on the can was used from 1946 to 1956. The clam shell graphic on the box was used after that so I would guess it is from the late fifties sometime using up old stock.

Hi John. Yes, I asked about them in January. Since people join these groups, discover old posts, and sometimes recognize things others don’t, I was hoping someone might have additional information about the set—not simply another price estimate. I’m researching the items properly, not gathering “copy points” for a sales ad, but I appreciate the unnecessary assumption. If I decide to share photographs of the old gas station, I’ll make a separate post. In the meantime, reposting may be free and thankfully, so is scrolling. Hopefully that clears things up, and we can all return to letting our imaginations wander back to times past—while allowing posts that don’t interest us to simply pass by.

Thank you, Matt. This is exactly the kind of additional information I was hoping someone might recognize. The difference between the graphics on the cans and the box—and the possibility that Shell was using up older can stock in the late 1950s—is genuinely helpful.

We’re trying to determine the history and timeline of the old gas station on our property. Many newer families have moved into the area, and our local historical society has no information about it, so we’re piecing its story together through the building itself and the various items we’ve found. So far, those include Phillips 66, Shell, and Standard Oil/SoHio cans.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your knowledge. This gives us another solid piece of the puzzle.

You are welcome. Some pictures could possibly help with some information for you. Some companies had specific designs for their buildings. Even if it`s a generic building the style of it could help with a time period it was built. A lot of stations changed brands over the years so that could be why there was different brands found. Maybe share pictures of the other cans. If they are older or newer that could help with when it was certain brands. Ts there a sign pole with a sign frame? If so that would be the last sign that was in use

So I'm from NW Ohio as well, former Marathon dealer and know your area some. If you haven't yet, I would check out the antique shops in Mt. Victory. Look for picture albums and old newspaper ads. Jefferies up here outside Findlay has booths loaded with that kind of stuff. Don't discount old high school yearbooks either as many businesses put ads in the back. And second what Matt said, building architecture is a clue. Good luck on your search!

I forgot to add, 20+ years ago Mt Victory had a gas and oil swap meet every year. I believe at least one of the antique stores was involved with that. If there are any old timers left there they would probably have some input on old gas stations in the area.