Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Archives of the best of past topics Best of Shop Talk COTM -- Mid-Continent Petroleum Corp. / D-X -- June 2007

Let's take a look at some more signs...

Here's the "home plate" shaped curb sign that I was having trouble locating. Thanks, Don!


photo: Don Beaver

And an older-style D-X Credit Cards sign:

photo: John O'Hern

This really neat sign is the only one I've seen. It appears to be a canvas banner (thanks DB!):

photo: Scott Shipers

This sign is a fairly common one. It was put up when a station was still under construction, or maybe about to be rebranded.

photo: Scott Shipers


[This message has been edited by thermactor (edited 06-28-2007).]

[This message has been edited by thermactor (edited 06-28-2007).]

Prior to 1957, D-X pumps used only diamond-shaped decals with the D-X logo.

When the DX pump plates came on the scene, they were big, bold, simple, and to-the-point. They appeared in 1957, and were available in several sizes, and in variations with rounded and sharp corners. The red and the blue plates were porcelain, while the gold ones were anodized aluminum with painted lettering.

Here's the standard DX plate:


The Boron version:


Super Boron:

photo: John O'Hern

And, the very cool Marine Gasoline:


After the end of the pump plate era (1960s), decals again took over. There were also some faceplates for the 60s-70s style pumps that featured the DX logo...




[This message has been edited by thermactor (edited 06-28-2007).]

Next, let's take a look at some cans. Maurice Campbell was kind enough to share some pictures of his collection, and I've added in some others as well.

Here are some of the Mid_Continent and D-X quarts:

As far as I know, there are 5-quart versions of all of the quart cans up to the last of the older-logo D-X variants.

Here's an example of a 5-quart (same graphics as the quarts), and also a Diamond Rustproof Compound can.


There were also quart and gallon versions of the Mid Continent antifreeze can:


There was also one can coin bank made. They used the same graphics as the 1qt and 5qt versions of the hollow-number Diamond 760 can:


[This message has been edited by thermactor (edited 07-01-2007).]

Here are some of the 5-gallon cans (thare are several other versions as well):



The Medicrude is especially interesting:



Here are some grease cans. A 1-lb white Faultless Grease can also existed, matching the white Faultless motor oil quart and 5-quart. I have no picture of it, however.

These are the three marine oil square cans. A round quart version of the one on the left also exists.


A can of Livestock Spray:


DX Grease gun tubes:


[This message has been edited by thermactor (edited 07-01-2007).]

Let's take a look at some maps. The early maps from Mid-Continent were pretty decorative and stylish, but in the 40s, they began to get fairly plain and not nearly as exciting as from some other companies.

This is the oldest example I've seen, from the very early 30s, 1931 or 32:


This was the next mpa, from 1833 (+/-) Definitely my favorite.


Nexct came these two from the mid-30s.

This is the last of the "tri-fold" maps (the ones that open into a 3-panel picture). Unfortunately I don't have any photos of one opened up.


Here are some from the 40s through the 60s. Pretty plain. The Tulsa city map is the exception, having some great graphics on the front.

Shot at 2007-07-01

DX Sign, double sided, porcelain

Shot at 2007-07-01

DX Globe on CAPCO body

Shot at 2007-07-01

DX Globe on CAPCO body OOPS!!!

[This message has been edited by hawkike (edited 07-01-2007).]

Shot at 2007-07-01

DX & SUNOCO POLE THERMOMETERS
Note the differences in the SUNOCO THERMOMETERS.

Nice stuff, hawkike, thank you!

Here are a couple little smalls that I have lying around.

A free sample tube of D-X household oil:



And a mechanical pencil, filled with oil, with ball bearings inside:


[This message has been edited by thermactor (edited 07-02-2007).]

Next up: Some really awesome images from a 1943 issue of the "Diamond." This was a magazine published by Mid-Continent, intended for employees and distributors. This particular wartime issue is completely patriotic from cover to cover. War bond ads, stories of employees serving the country at war, and writeups on their families at home. I've scanned a few tiny samples of this issue, as Maurice Campbell has generously sent it to me to share with all of you.

First up, here is a picture from the rear cover:


And a couple photos with captions from some articles inside:




It's rather refreshing to see true patriotism expressed in a publication like this. Shamefully, love and support of one's country seems to be almost looked down upon in recent years.

Here's a full page "ad"


This graph I found really interesting:



Thanks for sharing this with us, Maurice!

[This message has been edited by thermactor (edited 07-02-2007).]