Auction Alert: Petroliana – Enamel signs, petrol pump globes, oil cans and early advertising

Eight oil pourers; inc. Shell X-100 pint, Smiths Bluecol, Fina, Esso, Shell anti-freeze etc

Petroliana is a new word on us. We’ve heard of automobilia in the past; however, judging by the names, ‘petroliana’ refers to things found in a gas/petrol station or garage and ‘automobilia’ is the term for anything car/van/motorbike/automobile-related.

Petroliana – Enamel signs, petrol pump globes, oil cans and early advertising takes place on 29th June 2024, from 9:30am. The sale is being run by Richard Edmonds Auctions who are based in Chippenham, Wiltshire. There are 514 lots, and we’ve chosen to highlight some of the items in the sale that you don’t have to be a ‘petrol head’ to appreciate… We certainly aren’t! They’re all things that would look great in any home, garden, greenhouse, man cave, she shed etc.

There’s a buyer’s premium of 16.67% (exc. VAT) and a further online commission of 3% (exc. VAT) on top, so bear that in mind before you place any bids.

In addition to in the room bidding, bids can be left with us, live bidding over the telephone available as well as through the-saleroom.com

Michelin Mr. Bibendum bakelite ashtray

Lot 46: A Michelin Mr. Bibendum bakelite ashtray

Estimate: £200-£300

1950s Michellin Bibendum 'Baby Girl' moneybox

Lot 110: A 1950s Michelin Bibendum ‘Baby Girl’ moneybox

5 1/4″ tall.
Estimate: £180-£200

Shell Motor Oil metal pint jug

Lot 114: A Shell Motor Oil pint jug

Estimate: £150-£200

Framed Pratt's advertising mirror

Lot 120: A Pratt’s Perfection Spirit framed and glazed advertising mirror

Depicting a Pratt’s Perfection Spirit two-gallon can, 20 1/4 x 26 1/4″.
Estimate: £300-£400

Set of Peek traffic lights

Lot 145: A set of Peek traffic lights

Lights on rotation between the three colours, 37″ tall x 13 1/2″ wide x 8″ deep, shades detachable.
Estimate: £100-£200

Eight oil pourers; inc. Shell X-100 pint, Smiths Bluecol, Fina, Esso, Shell anti-freeze etc

Lot 173: Eight oil pourers

Inc. Shell X-100 pint, Smiths Bluecol, Fina, Esso, Shell anti-freeze etc.
Estimate: £50-£80

A selection of playworn models of petrol pumps etc, some stamped Dinky

Lot 187: A selection of play-worn models of petrol pumps etc, some stamped Dinky

Estimate: £15-£25

Michelin First Aid (tyre repair) tin cabinet/toolbox

Lot 200: A Michelin First Aid (tyre repair) tin cabinet/toolbox

Unusually still with inside partitions and some original contents, 16 x 8 1/4 x 4 1/4″ closed, 16 x 16″ opened.
Estimate: £300-£500

Dunlop Fan Belts wall-mounted rack

Lot 231: A Dunlop Fan Belts wall-mounted rack

Estimate: £40-£60

Motorcraft acrylic wall clock

Lot 256: A Motorcraft acrylic wall clock

With illustrations advertising the brand’s products, 15 x 15 3/4″.
Estimate: £150-£200

Shell moulded plastic watering can

Lot 307: A Shell plastic watering can

Estimate: £150-£200

National Benzole four-sided hanging light with glass sides

Lot 372: A National Benzole four-sided hanging light with glass sides

One frosted glass side, another Night Service with NB logo, another with a five-digit phone number and logo and the other a second Night Service with NB logo (very heavy).
Estimate: £300-£500

Castrol Anti-freeze garage wall thermometer

Lot 385: A Castrol Anti-freeze garage wall thermometer

8 1/4 x 22 1/2″.
Estimate: £80-£120

Auction alert: Enamel Signs & Advertising Memorabilia

Macleans Peroxide Tooth Paste enamel sign

An Auction of Enamel Signs & Advertising Memorabilia takes place on Thursday 6th July 2023, starting at 10am at Truro Auction Centre in Redruth, Cornwall. A total of 404 lots will be for sale:

A local estate single collection of over 300 enamel signs, advertising memorabilia, pump globes, vehicle mascots and collectables

Some people are specialists in the field of old enamel advertising and know the value and scarcity of one sign over another. Others are completely obsessed collectors, willing to pay in the high hundreds of pounds for particular pieces. I just know what I like and what catches my eye – with no idea about what it’s worth. In this sale, I’m most attracted to the Yorkshire Relish, Holdfast Boots and Macleans Tooth Paste signs.

  • Buyer’s premium (inc. VAT/sales tax): 18%
  • Online commission (inc. VAT/sales tax): 5.88%

You can bid in person on the day or via The Saleroom website. Helpfully, they offer in-house shipping on most items (not furniture or high risk china/glass or large items).

Morse's Distemper enamel sign

Lot 1: A large old enamel rectangular advertising sign

“Morse’s Distemper – Now They’ll Have To Use It”, 60″ x 40″
Estimate: £150 – £200

Batey's Squash enamel sign

Lot 7: An enamel rectangular advertising sign

“Batey’s Squash”, 21″ x 27″
Estimate: £50 – £70

Monsters enamel sign

Lot 44: An enamel rectangular double-sided advertising sign

For Monsters 1d Lemonade by Trenner & Son Grays Inn, 13″ x 24″
Estimate: £80 – £120

R White's enamel sign

Lot 59: An enamel shaped-rectangular advertising sign

“R White’s Soft Drinks – Symbol of Merit”, 36″ x 10″ overall
Estimate: £40 – £60

Macleans Peroxide Tooth Paste enamel sign

Lot 67: An enamel rectangular advertising sign

“Macleans Peroxide Toothpaste Makes Teeth Whiter”, 20″ x 30″
Estimate: £70 – £100

Robin Starch enamel sign

Lot 115: An enamel rectangular advertising sign

“Robin’s Starch – Does Not Stick to the Iron”, 20″ x 30″
Estimate: £60 – £90

Quaker Oats enamel sign

Lot 119: An old enamel rectangular advertising sign

“Eat Quaker Oats – In Packets Only”, 42″ x 24″
Estimate: £100 – £150

Yorkshire Relish enamel sign

Lot 184: An old enamel rectangular advertising sign

“Yorkshire Relish is Rich and Thin – Thats Why It Goes So Far”, 21″ x 58″
Estimate: £100 – £150

Nectar Tea enamel sign

Lot 253: An enamel teacup-shaped advertising sign

“Nectar Tea”, 13″ x 21″
Estimate: £40 – £70

Oxo Cube enamel sign

Lot 303: An enamel rectangular advertising sign

“Its Meat and Drink to You – OXO Cube – Concentrated Beef”, 18½” x 12″
Estimate: £60 – £90

Holdfast Boots enamel sign

Lot 311: An old enamel advertising sign

“Holdfast Boots”, 17″ x 24″
Estimate: £70 – £90

Sunlight Soap enamel sign

Lot 381: An enamel rectangular advertising sign

“Sunlight Soap”, 12″ x 18″
Estimate: £40 – £60

Auction alerts: Antiques & Collectables sale, Stamford Auction Rooms

Six pairs of late 19th / early 20th century glasses and pince nez

This week, we’re sharing information about the upcoming Antiques & Collectables sale at Stamford Auction Rooms. It happens on Saturday 30th July 2022, from 10am.

There’s an eclectic mix of all sorts; vintage enamel advertising signs, Scandi glass, Belgian studio pottery, beautiful antique brass and more. Everything we’ve picked out below we’d happily give house room… if we had any left!

The buyer’s premium stands at 24% of the hammer price. There’s an added 3% commission if you bid via SARoom LIVE, the auction room’s own online bidding service.

Online bidding is also available via the-saleroom.com and EasyLiveAuction. If you bid via the-saleroom.com you’ll be charged an extra 4.95% on top of the 20% (+VAT)  buyer’s commission. Alternatively, if you bid via EasyLiveAuction you’ll be charged an extra 3% or £3.00 flat fee on top of the 20% (+VAT)  buyer’s commission.

Stamford Auction Rooms Ltd offers a delivery service. Please note that while we offer to post and pack for the convenience of our bidders, most items are uninsurable by the Royal Mail and we take no responsibility whatsoever for the items once they have left our premises.
Prices start at £12 +VAT.
We advise all our clients to use a professional packing service such as Mailboxes Etc. for ceramics/glass/breakables. Please contact the office for more information.

Holmgaard smoky glass mid century ice bucket
Lot 24: A Holmgaard smoky glass mid century ice bucket
With rattan handle and matching brushed steel pair of tongs, engraved Holmgaard 8715 to the base, 16cm high.
Estimate: £40-£60

19th century oil lamp

Lot 28: A 19th century oil lamp
With a light reflective dome over a glass inner shade.
Estimate: £50-£80

French brass antique coffee percolator

Lot 40: A French brass antique coffee percolator
On stand with burner and cover, 25cm high.
Estimate: £20-£40

Ceramic lamp attributed to Georges Pelletier

Lot 63: Attributed to Georges Pelletier (Belgium b.1938): a ceramic lamp
With pierced and applied decoration in the Cubist abstract style, mark not apparent, but may be incised under baize base, 41cm high, complete with original lampshade, 81cm including shade.
Estimate: £600-£800

Castol GTX steel and enamel sign

Lot 78: A Castol GTX steel and enamel sign
30cm by 60cm.
Estimate: £100-£150

Steel and enamel Golden Shred marmalade sign

Lot 79: A steel and enamel Golden Shred marmalade sign
60cm by 40cm
Estimate: £200-£300

Six pairs of late 19th / early 20th century glasses and pince nez

Lot 112: Six pairs of late 19th / early 20th century glasses and pince nez
Together with a leather collar box.
Estimate: £20-£40

A Wall's glass counter top display cabinet

Lot 124: A Wall’s glass counter top display cabinet
Estimate: £120-£150

Le Corbusier style white leather chaise longue

Lot 221: A Le Corbusier style white leather chaise longue
With polished chrome frame base / stand.
Estimate: £800-£1,200

Soako

Vintage Soako metal advertising sign

We’ve been sourcing vintage metal and enamel advertising signs over recent months. They’re the kind of vintage item that works well in our old cottage. In previous homes, we’ve incorporated mid century modern, op art and the more ‘groovy’ 1960s items. However, they just don’t ‘sit well’ here, but we do love the interest and aged character that vintage items bring… so these signs are one way in which we’re doing it.

Detail from vintage Soako metal advertising sign

We bought this Soako soap powder sign with our bathroom area in mind. It dates from the 1920s era and was designed by Tom Purvis. He’s famous for those classic railway destination posters of the day. Come to think of it, we’ll have to feature him in one of our weekend Designer Desire posts to showcase more of his work.

Detail from vintage Soako metal advertising sign showing the signature of Tom Purvis

It has lots of bumps and scratches, but we don’t mind that… it’s 100 years old! The design is still clear and colours are bright. Soako does the work, eh? It will need to, judging by the filthy state that Justin gets in doing up this place!