Vintage Visible Gas Pumps: What To Buy?
In recent years, as petroliana collecting has reached and exponentially higher level of popularity; the demand for vintage visible gas pumps has increased dramatically. As happens when any previously niche collectible item reaches the mainstream, the level of misinformation, as well as fakes and frauds goes through the roof. This is usually caused by self-appointed “experts” on web sites, TV shows, and at auctions, who create confusion for the first time buyer, and at times, even the seasoned collector. We, at ManCave.ArtFactory.com are here to help you sort through all of the misinformation out there, and through the H.J. Nick Historic Journal, we offer solid information, free of charge, to collectors both old and new, worldwide.
As is usually the case, most of the misinformation out there is profit driven, where we are, and always have been (since 1913) grounded in the preservation of history. Furthermore, by offering the most historically correct restorations, and paying attention to fine details, we offer the best appreciating return on your investment.
Most visible gas pump restorations that are done today, are fast process paint jobs, with plastic stickers, imported fake lights, and reproduction globes, badges, and hoses. Many are sold at auctions or web sites at prices ranging anywhere from a few thousand, to hundreds of thousands of dollars, with little or no resemblance of originality, or period correctness. The buyer often has no real understanding of why or what they bought, and these are often sold with “Buyer Beware” clauses (meaning they may not be original at all).
The answer to what is right to collect is very simple, and when done right, can be profitable. These pumps are American icons that are now all over 100-years-old (antiques in the literal sense of the word), and the few remaining examples out there deserve to be fully restored in a way the is worthy of display in a museum. In other words, to as good or better than the original manufacture specifications.
All visible gas pumps were manufactured in the United States and Canada, and are the quintessential iconic collectible items of the great American Industrial revolution. Taking us out from behind the horse and buggy, leading us to the cars, trucks, and recreational gas driven vehicles that we all enjoy today. Plus the culture that evolved from it, such as super highways, fast food drive-ins, and the American neon era, also know as “The Happy Days” of the American Dream that we have all enjoyed and wish to experience again.
My expertise comes from being there on Route 66, traveling from Southern, Illinois to California many times in an old jalopy with 4 bald tires, a wing, and a prayer. I was using these gas pumps as they were being phased out for the new electric models. However, was always thankful to see one in areas of the “Mother Road” that electricity had not yet reached, and was always ready for hand pumped gas with full trust that this gas was clean and not watered down (especially since my old jalopy needed all the octane it could get to make the 2200 mile journey each way in pursuit of my higher education). Being the oldest son of three, at 15-years-old, I was expected to help my devastated family after my dad’s coal mining accident left him unable to work due to sever injuries.
Most pickers (AKA Dumpster Divers Or Junkers) are usually disadvantaged folks that have found themselves desperate to make money and have little or none to start with. Junking has no formal education offered by any accredited schools that I am aware of. So you cannot get a degree In junk picking. This is a self appointed hobby/profession that is either learned from many years of experience, as well as lots of mistakes and hard knocks.
In my over 60 years of studying the vintage collectible petroliana market and collecting myself, I have owned 100’s of visible gas pumps, over that time. Furthermore, I have supervised thousands of 101 Point Restorations, that our in-house experts have performed for our collector customers over the past 35 years. This puts us at the top of the list of certified appraisers when it comes to length and quality of experience. We are recognized and respected by most insurance companies and museums around the world as the Premier Authority In This Space.
Please let us help you if you are a beginner or a seasoned collector, we are always here to help you free of charge. Allow our well trained and seasoned staff help you out. Whether you are a beginner, or a seasoned collector, we are always here to help you, free of charge. To top it all off, everything is done under the supervision of award winning artist H.J. Nick.