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

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 29^th 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

Lot 46: A Michelin Mr. Bibendum bakelite ashtray

Estimate: £200-£300

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

5 1/4″ tall.
Estimate: £180-£200

Lot 114: A Shell Motor Oil pint jug

Estimate: £150-£200

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

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

Lot 173: Eight oil pourers

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

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

Estimate: £15-£25

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

Lot 231: A Dunlop Fan Belts wall-mounted rack

Estimate: £40-£60

Lot 256: A Motorcraft acrylic wall clock

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

Lot 307: A Shell plastic watering can

Estimate: £150-£200

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

Lot 385: A Castrol Anti-freeze garage wall thermometer

8 1/4 x 22 1/2″.
Estimate: £80-£120

Auction alert: Horse drawn implements, barn machinery

This week’s Auction Alert is a mouthful – Horse Drawn Implements, Barn Machinery, Tractors, Lorries, Seats, Plates, Dairy Equipment, Bottles and Tools.

The sale is being held by H J Pugh & Co on the 27^th April 2022 from 10am and there will be 407 lots coming under the hammer. Although the auctioneers are based in Herefordshire, the venue is located in Alnwick, Northumbria.

There are dozens of lots of antique horse-drawn implements and machinery such as turnip cutters, cake breakers, potato riddlers and furrow bouters.

It’s not our usual fare, agricultural sundries, but there are a few gems that would look great in a country house, garden or man cave setting.

Room and absentee bids incur a 6% inc. VAT buyer’s fee. Bidding live (or leaving an autobid) on the H J Pugh & Co website incurs the same 6% inc. VAT buyer’s fee. You can also bid via EasyLiveAuction where there’ll be a further pre-payable fee of £3.00 or 3% buyer’s premium.

There isn’t much in the way of lot descriptions and there are no condition reports or estimates, so have a good look at the photos provided and set yourself a budget for each item that you’re interested in.

Lot 171: Pair of wooden cart wheels

Lot 195: Leyland Sherpa pick-up
1978. 4046 miles showing. Starts, runs, restored, barn stored, 1800cc diesel. Reg. FUS 190S. V5

Lot 226: Esso and Shell oil jugs

Lot 232: 5 Gallon Gamages motor oil can

Lot 328: Enamel sign – Wakefield Castrol 18×19″

Lot 332: Tin sign – Bentall Farm and Barn Machinery 36×24″

All Mapped Out!

This collection of vintage maps was a fabulous recent buy.

We were quite excited when we saw them lurking at the bottom of a mixed box at auction…

…their bright colours and fab period illustrations calling out to us!

They’re all from the United States – most were produced by the American Automobile Association – and petrol (or gas if you’re from the US!) companies such as Esso & Enco.

Quite unusual for them to have ended up in a small northern town in England!

They were obviously picked up by a pair of adventurous travellers – also in the box were old tickets, menus, napkins, receipts, notes and other bits of ephemera – all picked up along their way.

We’ve really enjoyed sorting through them – artwork like this is good enough for framing.

Inside, the maps are clean & bright – untouched for 50 years or so. Full of handy hints and endless possibilities.

The thought of setting out in a convertible or camper van with a pile of these is very appealing indeed!

H is for Home Harbinger

Tag: Esso