subject: Collecting Old and Classic Gas Station Memorabilia [print this page] Collecting Old and Classic Gas Station Memorabilia
The roaring twenties, an era known for changes, but to collectors who love to collect old gas pumps and auto memorabilia, the roaring twenties may mean the sound of a roaring engine. As the automakers were manufacturing cars, the need for a gas pump for drivers to get gas was in every city and slowly started the corner gas stations. Ingenuity and technology was changing everything, including the gas pumps, and every decade shows a new design.
Some of the first gas pumps designed with a visible glass on top, allowed drivers to see what the gas looked like before adding it to the tank. Displaying the advertised gas company from a gas globe crowned on the top of the pump, enabled drivers to see what company they supported. Although, gas pumps were made prior to the 1920's, this seems to be the era favored by collectors. Texaco, Shell, Fleet Wing and others, were proudly advertising their company on the top of the pumps.
As the gas pumps changed, stations went from the use of a visible pump to a clock face pump. These too are collected, but not as sought after as some others. The clock face had numbers, which ran clockwise and weighed the gas for purchase. They too had the advertising globes of the company they were supporting. It is not only gas pumps that collectors are looking for, it is everything that has to do with the old time garages, gas items, brochures, advertising, oilcans, oil stands and many other items.
Each collector will find something that intrigues his or her personal interest and starting with one purchase, leads to collection before long. Every shape and condition imaginable is worth collecting and if one has the knack of restoring one, it could be a profitable pastime. If it is too bad, there may be parts that are salvageable to use to restore another one like it. Do research on specific items to learn how to restore items to the manufactured era.
The old black and white photographs of gas station around the globe show a history and how the pumps, garages and the automobile has changed over the years. Collecting the photos throughout the year's show the changes of brands, stations, pumps and other interesting history, which provides more information if one looks in-depth into the photo. The old oil stands and oilcans from companies like Quaker State, Invader, Sinclair and many others, line shelves of homes or garages of collectors.
Stumbling across an old gas memorabilia item may be easier than searching for a specific item, but dealers in the world of petroliana and other memorabilia are located all over the globe. Condition has a lot to do with the value and each item collected will have a specific rating to know what condition is. Whether it is the pumps, advertising, oilcans, oil pumps, magazines or any other item from a garage that sparks ones interest, the best way to start collecting is simply watch for items. Flea markets, auctions and yard sales are a great way to find things that collectors are not looking for, until they find it.
