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#449303 Sat Jul 20 2013 07:14 AM
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I'm sure everyone has a story to go along with their first pick - sign, gas pump, oil can etc. I started collecting and restoring pumps after I retired back in 2009. My first sign came as a result of a call from an older lady who said she had an oil sign to sell and wanted to know if I would be interested in looking at it. I said sure, what kind of a sign is it? She said it says "Johnson Motor Oil" on it and also has some wings that say "time tells". Even being a bit new to the hobby I knew enough to know that this could be big. She said it was a round sign that measured 48". We set a time to meet in a small town of about 250 people. I met her and her husband at the town square where they asked me to follow them to where the sign was. On the short drive over I keep thinking they were going to take me to an old barn or building full of stuff so I was getting pretty excited. As it turned out, we pulled into an alley and parked behind an old house trailer that was in pretty bad shape. It was barely visible due to all the shrubs and trees that had grown up around it over the years. When we got out of our vehicles, the lady walked over to me to explain that they had bought the lot that the trailer was on and were going to have it demolished so they could build a small home to live in. Her husband walked over to the trailer and went behind a bush. I followed his wife to were he was. Just as we got to him, he came out from behind the bushes rolling this great sign. Come to find out, the sign was being used to cover an old tractor tire that was used as a sandbox to keep cats out when the kids weren't playing in it. Could not believe it. Trying to stay cool, I asked "how much do you want for the sign?" The wife said "would you give $25?" I lost my cool and quickly said " how about $50, the sign is worth more than the $25". You would have thought THEY hit the jackpot instead of me. They were pretty happy to get that out of an old sign that they said was going to go to the local scrap yard. Pretty crazy, just have to wonder how much of this stuff is still out there in unlikely places.

Johnson.jpg

Steve
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PlainBroke #449321 Sat Jul 20 2013 07:53 AM
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Would have been great if you were like "How about $15"?!?! Haha great story! Stuff is still out there in random places you just have to be moving all day everyday to find it! Great sign at a great price! Hey it still happens. Doesn't matter what a signs worth it matters what the person wants for it and if that makes them happy its a win win! Everyone gets lucky sometimes!


Always buying and selling Neon Dealer signs pumps air meters
www.porcelainneonsigns.com
Mantiquers #449328 Sat Jul 20 2013 08:03 AM
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Wow that is a awesome story & even a more awesome sign smile


Wanted Owens Motor Oil & Mobiloil Gargoyle.
Brad Ralston & my website is
www.petrobarn.com
gasoildude #449344 Sat Jul 20 2013 08:58 AM
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Very nice sign!


Dave GILL,
Dave's Garage & Memorabilia, Inc.
Dave's Garage #449346 Sat Jul 20 2013 09:03 AM
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a bargain, congratulations.. cool


RANDY
advertologist #449349 Sat Jul 20 2013 09:07 AM
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WOW! Great find!!! Times like this definitely make you want to go hunting more and more for stuff!


......John
fanfan75601@yahoo.com
PlainBroke #449367 Sat Jul 20 2013 09:54 AM
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Unbelievable story...you couldn't even have made that up!! Absolutely great find for someone just coming outta the gate! grin


TOM
Gargoyle #449370 Sat Jul 20 2013 09:59 AM
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love the story. I have always wanted to find one of those.


Scott Wright
Gargoyle #449408 Sat Jul 20 2013 12:07 PM
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Thanks Tom, wish that they were all that cheap! It certainly helped to fuel the addiction.


Steve
PlainBroke #449419 Sat Jul 20 2013 12:58 PM
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First piece of anything is always special. But, this sign could be the center piece of any collection! That's a great start, awesome piece to build a collection around. Not many people will have the opportunity to own one.


Dave GILL,
Dave's Garage & Memorabilia, Inc.
Dave's Garage #449425 Sat Jul 20 2013 01:09 PM
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Totaly Awesome!Right Place-Right Time!


Robert

Searching For SunRay DX and Diamond Oil Signs
Dave's Garage #449439 Sat Jul 20 2013 01:54 PM
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Your right Dave, I am quite sure this will be the only Johnson sign I will ever own. Helps offset the cost of other things I paid too much for ........


Steve
PlainBroke #449456 Sat Jul 20 2013 02:41 PM
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think I would have felt a little guilty, even at $500 it would have been a steal

Mantiquers #449459 Sat Jul 20 2013 02:52 PM
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After I asked her what she wanted for the sign I braced myself for a big number. When she said $25 my Catholic upbringing kicked in and I offered her $50 - to ease the guilt. Guess a guy can only go so low.......


Steve
Neil Gerrard #449460 Sat Jul 20 2013 02:54 PM
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And I did Neil - until I got it home and on the wall.


Steve

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