Antique Glass Gas Pump Globes
Authenticate your antique gas pump globes with The Authentication Company (TAC).
We are among the top authenticators of antiques and memorabilia related to vintage gas pump collectibles. TAC members can access our certified collectibles and submit items for authentication.
What are antique gas pump globes?
These globes sat on top of gas pumps, poles, air meters and other places to advertise a specific brand of gas or oil company. They were internally lighted, so very visible from the road when gas stations were poorly lit. Mostly spherical, they also came in shapes like Shell's clamshell. After WWII, gas pumps got smaller. Some featured neon lights and animated designs.
Dates: Globes were used from the early 1900s to the 1960s and pretty much phased out in the 1970s.
Notable Features: Different "bodies" included Shoe Box Globe, milk glass body, and the popular single globe lens.
1st-Era 1900s to 1920s
Globes were OPE, OPB, OPC (one-piece etched, one-piece baked, one-piece cast) they were a one-piece milk glass body, most were canteen style, some had etched lettering and design, some were just painted and fired, and some were casted like a Standard Oil Crown.
2nd-Era 1920s to 1930s
Globes were metal bodies with 16.5” diameter domed glass lenses most were fired on paint, but some were not and are hard to find in good condition. There were different style HP (high profile), LP (low profile).
3rd-Era 1930s to 1940s
Globes were metal bodies with 15” diameter dome glass lenses most were fired on paint, but some were not hard to find in good condition. There were different styles: HP (high profile), LP (low profile).
4th-Era
Globes were glass and plastic bodies with 12.5” & 13.5” diameter dome glass lenses, all were fired on paint, glass bodies had different styles or types, narrow & wide body with mounting holes at 3 & 9 o’clock, gill globe bodies can be 13.25” & 13.5” the glass body has no sides and lenses are held in place with metal rings, in gill bodies the colored ripple bodies are highly collectible. Plastic or Capco globe bodies are two-piece bodies and lenses are held in place with screws at top and bottom. There are oval globe bodies in both plastic and glass.
5th-Era
There are other miscellaneous and odd shaped globes.
What to look for in an authentic gas pump globe:
Most reproductions or fantasy 13-1/2" and some 15" gas globes are dated or marked either at the very top or bottom of the lenses.
Fun Fact: During World War II, gas pump globes were made of plastic due to the shortage of resources.
Average Valuation of a Gas Globe:
Original - $300-$50,000
Reproduction - $25-$500
Authenticate Your Gas Globe Collection With The Authentication Company
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