Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Showcase and Stories, Petroliana Collectible of the Month -Sign Pole Thermometers

As some of you may know, I have been collecting Sign Pole thermometers for many years. I have been asked to do a Collectible of the Month feature on them. First of all, what is a Sign Pole thermometer? They are plastic thermometers about 7" tall shaped like the signs that used to be in front of service stations. In fact on many of the original cradboard sleeves that they came in they were refered to as "service thermometers". These were given away as dealer promotions starting in the late 1950's through the mid 1970's. The earliest date I have seen on one was 1959 with 1976 being the latest. There are 7 basic styles of these thermometers. I will show photos of each in the next post. The first six styles could also be ordered with a small calendar attached at the bottom. Bill Fortune







[This message has been edited by wfort39663 (edited 11-15-2007).]

Scalloped bottom version -
oval top, round top and rectangular top




Angled base version -
oval top, round top and shield top




This last version is slightly shorter than the others and is made of of a thicker plastic. To the best of my knowledge they were exclusively used in Canada.

As the month progresses I will be going alphabetically through the known examples, listing some sales info and company brochures featuring the thermometers, provide a list of those that are waiting to be found and wrap up with some interesting non gas examples as these were used for all types of advertising. They are an interesting collectible because examples can be found for most of the companies we collect, they don't take up a lot of room, and they are usually fairly inexpensive. Note I said "usually". As we go through the known examples feel free to post when that letter is being listed or email photo to me for posting if you miss out on a letter or don't wish to post youself. I will began with examples starting with "A" tomorrow.















[This message has been edited by wfort39663 (edited 11-13-2007).]

I'm looking forward to this Bill.

------------------
Scott Shipers
WANTED: Quart Picture Cans
Kansas City, Missouri

This sounds like a great topic!

Scot

Starting out with the "A"s.




Agway is a farm Coop still in business in the New York/Pennsylvania region. I also know of a version of the red/black Amoco with the words "American" above and "Gas" below the word "Amoco".





An example with a calendar attached. Unfortunately the flame holder has been broken on this example. I also know of a rectangular newer logo Ashland.






Atlantic logos progressing through their merger with Richfield to form ARCO.










[This message has been edited by wfort39663 (edited 11-15-2007).]

what a great collectible bill... thank you for sharing.. wish i had something to add...

chuck

I got this box containing two sample thermometers at a show about 9 years ago. The paper insert shows examples of "Flame Top" thermometers available. I have seen examples of all except the Pan Am but have feel it's out there as it is shown.



Pricing info inside box top.




Looks like 144 was the minimum order and a calendar on the bottom cost an extra 4 cents.







Some added ordering info.








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The "B"s






I purchased the Bay Thermometer from the grandson of the original station owner. He included these photos of his grandfather at the station circa 1960.




Bear Wheel Alinement. Note two different spellings on the Black/White version. "Alinement" and "alignment"













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TWO--"A" POLES

Some thermometers from Champlin.



And Chevron. You see the newer logo on the right quite often. I have never seen one that had any writing on the bottom. The older logo is much harder to find.





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Two champlin

Nice to see some postings from other Oldgas members with items in their collections. Keep it up! Some Cities Service and Citgo.



Conoco



Some Coops, one with a calendar and a Crown.






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ONE "A' AND TWO "B"POLES
BEAR AND BORDEN"S

ONE "C" POLE

EIGHT "C" POLES