Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Evolution Of Sign Collecting...for me.

Many of our members are young and many old. I am one of the old guys. I started collecting about 20 years ago when I restored an old MS 80 calculator pump and wanted a sign to match it. I was hooked. Through the years I have really enjoyed the treasure hunt. I found treasures at estate sales, Oldgas.com., flea markets, and websites like Craig's List. Until about a month ago I had my garage filled (last count was 238). There was not a blank spot on my wall. But I had entered a new stage. My wife who was always keeping my feet to the fire about buying stuff was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. It has progressed. Then I had to have pancreas surgery. I got to thinking about our situation and finally decided I needed to liquidate. In doing so I might have some extra money to take care of my wife down the road. Anyway, I have read threads from other members who also entered the this phase of collecting. And now it has happened to me. Some guys never stop...there zeal never wavers in old age. I admire them. I have enjoyed the hobby and the Oldgas website a whole lot. It has all been good. But the point to this thread is value. When I finally made the decision to sell I called an old friend that I met years ago who is a professional at all of this. Through him and some of his contacts I was able to sell everything in a week at fair prices....not garage sale prices. The things we collect indeed have special value and I was fortunate to be able to move my collection in the manner that it all fell together. I guess many of us old guys who have invested so much time and money in out collections don't want to just "give it away" at the end. Thanks members and thanks Old gas for letting me be a part.

Best of luck to both you and your wife in the future!

It was a very impressive ensemble of petroliana items you had gathered together. It looks like it took a few years of searching to fill those walls of yours....All those fun moments you had captured along the way finding something new to be hung up on your wall though can never be forgotten & the people you meet along the way as well. It looks like interesting hobbies and good people meet up along the way on Oldgas

That was a very kind and humbling message to all of us young and old alike, thank you for your openness. I hope you and your wife are well, God bless the two of you,

You had a nice collection! Wishing you and your wife the best of luck.

Best of everything to you, your wife and your life situation going forward. I love my collection and can't even think of selling it, but I understand fully how things can change as life's path goes a different direction.
Darin

Best wishes to you and your wife. It is fortunate you were able to have a contact and dispose of your items so quickly. That's remarkable.

Thanks for the story and pictures of your collection. I hope you have a great church and God is part of your life. It's great to have faith and good luck to you and your wife through this journey.

The evolution of collecting for me.
The hobby was once reasonable and you could have a great affordable time.
Now its not!

God bless you moving on!!. I sometimes see my day coming.

Hate to hear about your health... you just never know when your health deteriorates and i would most likely do the same if i was in your shoes i am sure. I would say it would be hard to see it go but if health isn't great then we understand.
I have a flash drive with software and information on it and i up date it couple times year... incase something happens to me this way my wife knows who to call and ball park of what it worth. Hate to see her get taken advantage of by some of the real scum bags this hobby has produced in the last 10+ years. If she sells it for what i spent or more over the last 25 years then great i got to enjoy it and she will have some extra spending money. I never purchased this stuff as a investment or retirement... it is a great fun hobby and still is till i can't do it anymore.