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| News Article |
| Buyers fill up on Petroliana in Boone County |
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| By William Flood
LEBANON, Ind. — For those not familiar with petroliana, it’s the hobby of collecting memorabilia related to the gas, oil, and automotive industries. Nearly 1,500 attendees had the opportunity to browse and buy gas station memorabilia, vintage auto advertising, and oil industry collectibles at the 2018 Boone County Gas & Oil Show, part of the Boone County Treasure Hunt held in Lebanon the weekend of May 5-6.
Attendees had plenty of restored and unrestored gas pumps, gas pump globes, and transportation-related signs to shop, some running into five-figures. Those with smaller budgets could pick from a plentiful supply of oilcans, road maps, and license plates, along with pedal cars and antique toy vehicles. Merchandise from popular brands like Sinclair, Texaco, and Standard Oil naturally attracted its share of attention, but pieces from lesser-known names and local brands lured diehard collectors.
Vendors were in two indoor pavilions and two large outside areas. Outside, large items like unrestored gas pumps and trade signs in all conditions were prevalent. Indoor merchandise leaned toward restored items and those with the greatest collector value.
Tal Lucken, who runs a salvage yard in Bemidji, Minn., had an outside space spread with large items in various states of repair. Among his offerings were three gas pumps. A late 1940s Gilbarco used with Shell gas for $1,600; a Wayne 70 pump manufactured in Ft. Wayne, Ind., from the late 1930s or early 40s that handled Super Shell gas, priced at $2,200; and, an early 1930s Wayne 60 pump branded for Pure Oil, priced at $4,250. Elsewhere in his space was an Ideal model 55 7-Up cooler for $575.
Nearby, Doug Jenkin had a Standard Oil of Indiana lubester from the early 1900s priced at $225. He noted that pumps of that variety were generally used for filling oil bottles or dispensing gear oil. This model was unusual because both the pump and reservoir were inscribed with the Standard Oil of Indiana name. He also offered a complete set of five chrome hubcaps for 1947-1953 model years of Chevrolet pickup trucks. These were in very good original condition and priced at $90.
Inside, Steve and Cindy Rosentrader, collectors from Illinois, carried mainly smalls. Their offerings included a 1950s Tireflater tire pump gauge that hailed from a shop in New York City. The unit was in excellent condition and priced at $1,100. Next to it sat a 1950s parking meter, with its keys and also in excellent condition, priced at $525. The meter featured a novel indicator — a red ball would pop up at the top when the time was expired, making it easy for the meter reader to see.
A newbie to the show, antiques shop owner Jim Tindera had a multiple-space booth with a variety of vintage garage and shop pieces including a 2-foot square building thermometer from an American station priced at $450. For $800 a buyer could snag a Michelin Man doorstop originally used at tire stores to hold doors open for ventilation pre-air conditioning era. A service ticket writer, still containing invoices for Earl’s Garage in Gary, Ind., was priced at $225.
Hobbyist Jeff Lenhart brought his passion for transportation-related toys to the show. Jeff started selling when he was 10 and at one time owned an auction house. Today, he concentrates on shows, including this first round at the Boone County show. His booth was brimming with stamped steel vehicles from various decades. A Marx stake-body truck for $100; a Marx ambulance for $100, a Metalcraft Esso-branded stake-body truck for $400; and, a Metalcraft Pure Oil fuel truck for $400. A prize piece was a 1965 Nylint U-Haul set, complete with two trailers, IOB for $375. He also featured a wood, hand-built “Jim’s Garage” complete with gas, oil, and tire pumps for $175.
As with gas pumps, there was no shortage of oilcans at the show. Skip Rodeman from Lebanon, Ind., had among the most extensive offerings. He’s been a collector for more than 30 years and has amassed more than 1,000 cans — literally trailers full of them. Some of his more unusual pieces included a Texaco outboard gear oilcan for $100; a never-opened can of Texaco outboard motor oil priced at $150; an Archer snowmobile oilcan at $115; and, a Duplex outboard motor oilcan for $75.
Showgoers paid a modest $8 entry fee providing access to the gas and oil show along with the Indy Advertising Show, the Boone County Antique Market, and a late-Saturday auction of vintage advertising and Petroliana. Shows are held twice yearly — the first weekend in May and the third weekend in September at the Boone County Fairgrounds. The next 2018 show will be held the weekend of Sept 22-23.
For more information call (906) 250-1618 or visit www.indyadshow.com |
| 5/11/2018 |
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