Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion martin red ball parking meters, heard of them?

I have some martin red ball parking meters that were made in the 40's and seem to be fewa nd far between, does anyone know anything about them or know any history? Any info would be great,
Eric

eric if you send me a pic i will post it in non petro foryou.lots of us collect parking meters also,but i do not know the one you have. welcome to oldgas.

oldnfuelish, thanks, here is a link to some pics, http://olsonsite.com/meter
I was able to find out who made them, but thats about it. I didnt know if anyone had ever seen them before.

I do not know any history on them. I do know that they bring big money on ebay. Wish I had one to keep my others company.
Mike http://www.oldgas.com/shoptalk/ubb/Forum7/HTML/003859.html

This site may help:
http://www.ionet.net/~luttrell/index2.html

This site may help: http://www.ionet.net/~luttrell/index2.html

I found that page yesterday, and tried to contact the guy, but the page hasnt been updated since 2001, and the email was no good.I have sold a few of these, so I would be interesteed in selling some if anyone is interested. I also have the original slips that were kept behind the coin box and stamped when they were serviced. I saw a guy that found one restored, purchased it, and was happy that he only paid $600.

olsoneo - If you try any of the Luttrell links on his web site and then go back to "home" on his site, it says Ron Luttrell II passed away in Sept. 2000.
Not sure anyone else has kept his site updated.

Kurt

Kurt, never even read the home page, that would explain it. Thanks

just got back and saw the 'red ball' post, does anyone have any information on 'red ball gasoline'? i recently, just yesterday, got an original cabinet w/ the red ball logo, pretty worn, but readable. any info apprecitated.

Marty,
If your cabinet was made by the same company, My meters were invented by James W Menhall of the JW Menhall Drilling Company, applied for a patent in 1953, and recieved the patent in 1959. I have found another source saying that Martin Red ball meters were manufactured by the Parker Pen Company, but I havent found any other indications of that. Hope this helps some.

thanks for the info, i will keep looking to see if i find any other 'red ball' items.

Here is mine:



All my garage pics:
http://silverplate1945.smugmug.com/gallery/565848_4nUo5#37310706_D2rqM

Silverplate, I have about 30 or 40 of these meters, and I am certain that that meter came from my batch. I used to live in Stuart. I purchased them at an auction locally. May I ask where you got that meter?

I had a neighbor who has since moved away that collected antiques, mostly household type items, typewriters, old phones, etc. He came over one day with the Red Ball Martin and said someone had given it to him and would I like it. Of course I would and its been part of my collection ever since.