Quaker State Vintage Advertising
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Collecting Quaker State Oil Memorabila
Collecting gas and oil memorabilia has become a huge market in the last couple of decades. One rather difficult company to find items for is the old Quaker State advertising. I find that remarkable since the company has been around for about 150 years.
Perhaps it is more difficult to find these petroliana items because the company didn't do a lot of promotion for the public. They generally were just the oil or auto product that was offered at a gas station and didn't do much in the way of ad campaigns with promotional type items. I'm sure many of us remember seeing what is now referred to as the tombstone sign, like the one on the left, at many of the Gas Stations that we visited.
The company does have an interesting and long history. In this lens I will offer some of the history and ideas of what to look for to add to your collection and possible ways to find items.
Quaker State Motor Oil
A little history
Quaker State kept up with the needed improvements as the automobile began to need an oil that would work will with the internal combustion engine.
There have been many mergers throughout the years with Quaker State currently being owned by Shell (Royal Dutch Shell) as of 2002.
Quaker State is doing a little better currently with issuing collectible and promotional items being offered to fans of the products. Shown at the right is a neon clock that can be purchased from their website Quaker State. It has a cool retro look to it.
Trivia:
Franklin autos came standard with 5 quarts of Quaker State Motor Oil beginning in 1914.
Quaker State Memorabilia To Collect
As mentioned briefly in my introduction, vintage Quaker State advertising isn't as plentiful as some of the other gas and oil company items are. Great items can be found if one looks hard enough.Here is a list of vintage advertising items known to exist that you good add to your collection:
- ashtrays
- advertising signs
- mugs
- pens
- key chains
- magazine advertisements
- oil cans
- clocks
- maps
- oil bottles
- decals
- oil pumps
Reference Guide For Gas Station Memorabilia
Value Guide to Gas Station Memorabilia
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Quaker State Trivia:
By 1936 Quaker State oil was sold exclusively at all Standard Oil Gas Stations.
Advertising Quaker State in the 1940s
Quaker State did quite a lot of advertising in magazines during the 1940s, especially after the U.S. got involved in World War II. Many of the print ads had a military theme to them to add to the morale at the home front.The magazine ad to the right was illustrated by Melbourne Brindle showing that the U.S. tanks used Quaker State oil.
Quaker State seemed to be pretty proud that the United States military chose to use their products. They advertised heavily with the military themes giving the strong impression that if it is good enough for the military, it's good enough for your car.
Most of the advertising promoting Quaker State done in the 1940s has a distinct green tone to the illustrations instead of being black and white or full color. The tombstone curb sign is also almost always included in the lower portion of these advertisements. The sign is a coveted item to have in any collection of Quaker State memorabilia.
Quaker State In WWII
A Book About Gas Stations
The American Gas Station: History and Folklore of Gas Stations in America
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Cool 1946 Quaker State advertisement showing two men looking under the hood of a car in a showroom.
Quaker State Belt Buckle

Quaker State motor oil collectible belt buckles like this one can be found at Needful Things
Fun Book For Any Quaker State Collector
Gas Stations Coast to Coast
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Magazines for the Petroliana Collector
- Check the Oil magazine for petroliana collectors
- The Original Voice of Petroliana since 1983.
- Petroleum Collectibles Monthly magazine
- PCM is dedicated to the collector of gasoline marketing memorabilia - service station items, signs, pumps, pump globes, cans, toys, trinkets, virtually everything relating to filling stations.
Quaker State Giclee Print
A History Of Gas Stations Across America
Fill 'er Up!: The Great American Gas Station
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Quaker State Advertising Memorabilia
Service Bay
A place to leave your comments and questions, our attendants will great you with a smile....
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Roy Hagan
Oct 5, 2011 @ 10:45 pm | delete
- Looking for some info on a quaker state dragster go cart. I have the frame and all the body parts. (body shell, v8 motor cover and wing). I have searched a few places and have found nothing about it. If you can help me please e-mail me at RoyHagan@Akrotex.com
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Smallville1978
Aug 28, 2011 @ 7:18 pm | delete
- Looking for some info on a vintage quaker state oil clock I just came across. It is a square wall mounted clock (electric) with a neon light surrounding it. Its at least 50 years old, and still works... but I am having no luck finding another like it...
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vallain
Aug 12, 2011 @ 12:10 pm | delete
- My brother-in-law collected Texaco items for many years. He worked in the oil industry, but I can see these appealing to car buffs too. Vintage signs especially appeal to me.
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bob burrows
Jul 26, 2010 @ 11:55 pm | delete
- i seem to recall in the late 60's quaker state oil coming with a 50 cent piece in the can...am i nuts?
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flixgp
Jul 13, 2010 @ 11:34 am | delete
- Exellent information, thanks
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amabaie
May 18, 2010 @ 8:50 pm | delete
- Very well done. Very classy.
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Beautiful-Bridal Jan 24, 2010 @ 6:43 am | delete
- Very nice lens, five stars!
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WindyWinters
Nov 14, 2009 @ 1:20 am | delete
- Congratulations on your Purple Star! :)
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0ctavias0fferings
Apr 30, 2009 @ 12:06 pm | delete
- Very interesting subject 5* and a sprinkling of Angel Dust
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Jimmie
Apr 30, 2009 @ 4:31 am | delete
- Blessed by an angel today!
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Fun Places to Look For Vintage Quaker State
- Mt Victory Petroliana Swap Meet and Car Show
- This annual dual event brings the Mt. Victory village and park alive with activity. This full day begins when classic cars from over a 5 state region pull in for the spotlight.
- Gas Station Collectible Antique Shows & Events - NathansPetro.com
- A historical treasure trove for collectors and historians interested in the preservation of old gas station, gas pumps, oil cans, and other roadside memorabilia.
- Ducktail Run - Gas City, Indiana
- Held the same weekend as the James Dean Festival in Fairmount, Indiana.
- The Official Site of James Dean
- Festival information. Car show and swap meet every year.
Bio Of An Advertising Collector
by BevsPaper
I sell vintage magazine ads and other paper collectibles at The Paper Trail. Quaker State advertising is included in my inventory.
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