Petroliana

When America fell in love with the automobile in the early 20th century, a colorful new industry bloomed along every highway and country road—the gas station. These roadside outposts became iconic symbols of American freedom and mobility, and today, the advertising memorabilia from that era has become one of the most sought-after categories in vintage Americana collecting. 

Petroliana is the collecting term for vintage petroleum and automotive-related advertising and memorabilia. The name combines "petroleum" with "ana" (a suffix meaning "collection of items related to"). 

This vast category encompasses everything that gas stations, oil companies, and automotive service businesses used to attract customers and promote their brands from roughly the 1910s through the 1970s. The breadth of petroliana is remarkable. Major categories include:

Signs and Advertising - Porcelain enamel signs (both single and double-sided), neon signs, tin signs, painted metal signs, cardboard displays, and window decals featuring oil company logos and slogans. These range from small pump plates to massive roadside billboards advertising brands like Standard Oil, Gulf, Mobil, Texaco, Shell, Sinclair, Phillips 66, and hundreds of regional brands.

Gas Pumps and Globes - Vintage gas pumps themselves, from early visible pumps where you could see the gasoline, to the classic mid-century models with computer-style displays. Glass pump globes sat atop these pumps, illuminated from within to advertise the brand and grade of gasoline—high-test, ethyl, regular—often in stunning art deco or streamline modern designs.

Oil Cans and Product Containers - Quart and gallon motor oil cans in lithographed tin, featuring elaborate graphics. Grease cans, lubricant tins, and even glass oil bottles with paper labels. Each brand competed for shelf space with eye-catching designs.

Promotional Items - Road maps (often given away free), thermometers, clocks, calendars, matchbooks, key chains, license plate attachments, and toys. Companies like Esso (later Exxon) gave away everything from tiger tails to toy tanker trucks to build brand loyalty.

Service Station Equipment - Oil racks and displays, tire inflator gauges, service manuals, credit card signs, restroom keys on large wooden fobs, and even the porcelain curb signs directing customers to "Air" or "Service."

Branded Apparel and Textiles - Attendant uniforms, caps, patches, and even station towels embroidered with company logos.

What made petroliana so visually striking was the intense competition between oil companies. In an era before interstate highways standardized everything, each brand fought to stand out. Regional companies like Tydol, Red Crown, and Richfield developed distinctive mascots and color schemes. The result was a dazzling roadside landscape of commercial art that defined the American driving experience for generations. 

The golden age of petroliana spans the 1920s through the 1960s, when full-service gas stations dominated and attendants in crisp uniforms pumped your gas, checked your oil, and washed your windshield. These weren't just fuel stops—they were community gathering places and symbols of modern convenience.

What makes petroliana so collectible today? Beyond nostalgia, these pieces represent exceptional craftsmanship. Porcelain signs were built to withstand decades of weather, featuring multiple layers of enamel fired at high temperatures. Neon signs showcased cutting-edge technology of their time, with hand-bent glass tubes that still glow brilliantly decades later. Each piece tells a story about American industrial design, regional oil companies that have long since merged or disappeared, and the evolution of roadside advertising.

For collectors, petroliana offers something for every budget and space. Small oil cans and pump globes appeal to those just starting out, while large format signs and fully restored gas pumps become statement pieces for serious collectors. The market has remained strong because these items connect us to a specific moment in American history—when the open road promised adventure, and every corner gas station was a gateway to somewhere new.

Today, museums like the Saratoga Auto Museum and the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum preserve outstanding examples of petroliana, recognizing these advertising artifacts as legitimate pieces of American cultural history. Whether displayed in a home garage, man cave, or professional collection, petroliana continues to capture the imagination of anyone who remembers—or wishes they'd experienced—the golden age of American motoring.