Old Gas Pump Globes for Sale

The old gas pump globes for sale is arguably one of the crown jewels of automobilia and petroleum collectibles. Historians, collectors, hobbyists and enthusiasts look at this piece of highway culture ephemera with wonder and nostalgia. They are a cherished part of history and can be displayed in the home as a work of art.

During the early 1900s, gas stations began to use these glass signs on top of their pumps, poles and air meters to advertise the brand and products they sold. They were internally lighted and could be easily spotted by drivers driving down dark, sleepy highways. The globes were mainly spherical but also came in shapes like Shell’s famous clamshell. They were a fun and colorful addition to service stations that were beginning to adopt a more sleek and modern aesthetic.

Vintage Gas Pump Globes: A Collector’s Guide

Today, these globes are highly sought after by collectors and often sell for thousands of dollars. Scott Benjamin began collecting petroleum items in 1975 and has owned thousands of gas pump globes over the years. He currently owns and operates the largest dealer of vintage oil company globes in the world under the name “Oil Company Collectibles”. He has also written fifteen books on petroleum collectibles and is the publisher of Petroleum Collectibles Monthly.

For those who are new to the hobby, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you should always seek out the help of more experienced and weathered collectors when learning about and identifying old gas pump globes for sale. While there are a lot of great tutorials online and in printed form, it is always good to learn directly from the source, especially when dealing with complex mechanical items. Also, make sure you check for damage, wear and tear, and other indicators that your potential purchase is real.

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