Car Petroliana

Petroliana covers a wide variety of items, from pumps and signs to the smallest of cans and badges.

Pumps: Complete, working pumps are hard to come by, but represent one of the most important items in petroliana. They not only show the history and development of motoring, but also the advancement of engineering. Early pumps were hand-drawn to bring fuel through the pipes and were made of cast iron, copper and brass. As they developed, pumps began to feature gauges or measuring jars and later were able to fill more than one car at a time and dispense the different kinds of fuel in use.

Globes: Globes are the light-up signs featured on top of pumps. They are so called because they are spherical in shape, painted with the fuel company or garage name or logo. The development and growing importance of motoring and the petroleum industry can be demonstrated by looking at the different globes in use over the years.

Lightboxes: These were used to indicate a petrol station or the sale of certain products and, again, featured the company name or logo and are an excellent way to chart the rise of motoring. They also acted as general advertisements and so are collected by people with an interest in this area as well.

Enamel signs: Enamelled metal signs were another way to indicate a filling station or motoring items available for purchase. They too were great advertisements for a company and featured elaborate designs with a focus on typography and eye-catching logos and images.

Petrol and oil cans: Cans were not just for storing fuel or oil and they too were used to promote a product. Very few can be found in pristine condition; they were used after all and suffered from denting and rusting, but in terms of quantity they are one of the most common items of petroliana.

Other items: Air pumps to measure tyre pressure, funnels and pourers, price signs, badges and staff uniforms, cabinets and tools are also sought by petroliana enthusiasts.