Gas Pumps

Perhaps one of the most sought after and stand out pieces of Petroliana, a classic petrol pump fully restored to all it’s colourful glory is a sight to behold.

Early pumps from 1910 – 1930 were hand operated and some feature glass fronts where the complex mechanical workings are displayed. Electric pumps became more commonplace from the 30′s onwards.

Motor Oil Enamel Sign

Businesses started to embrace marketing in a big way in the early 20th century, and Enamel signs sprang up all over the place advertising petrol and oil. At the time they were not approved of being large garish and distracting, but they are now considered very collectible, being replaced by neon and then plastic signs.

Motor Oil Bottles

Before Motor Oil came in cans, the early days saw it supplied in bottles. due to their breakable nature compared to tin cans and the rough treatment they generally got, they were replaced quickly, but some still survive and are very collectible.

Castrol Oil Pourer

Vintage Oil Cans

Esso Lightbox

As advertising became more and more popular in the 20′s and 30′s Oil companies began to use more noticeable signs, rather than just enamel based, with signs that lit up being more noticeable particualrly at night.

Petrol Pump Globe

Early Petrol Pumps were graced with a crowning glory of a glass globe that lit up with the oil company logos. Long after the pumps they belonged to stopped working, the globes themselves were saved as things of beauty. There are plenty of replicas of the originals now available as decorative pieces, but it is the original globes themselves that command the top prices.