Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion info on independent oil co.

looking for info on independent oil co items with the thunder bird on them. was wondering what they made for signs, pump plates, small items
displays, oil cans ect don't see stuff too often

thanks
mark

Independent Oil was a trade name for use by oil companies that registered as members with this organization. They could use the Independent/ Red Hat names, as well include their own name within the signs, globes, etc. Part of the reason their items are scarce is that they were only used by small companies, so survival rate was slimmer. Also, Red Hat was banned because a court ruling requested by SO of Indiana said that Independent's Red Hat was too similar to Red Crown gas. But, there is strange photos of the Red Hat name used in small, remote locations into the 50s, with Red Hat capo globes! Sounds impossible, and should be, but there are photos out there to prove it.There are constantly new discoveries with Red Hat/Independent items with small company names we've never heard of. Peeroco, Grasses, Quincy,and others are some of the companies you will see on their items. They made many porcelain signs, a round thermometer, metal body and one piece globes, and smalls such as quart cans, gas sticks, paper stuff, ect. I don't believe I have ever seen any original pump plates from them.

i have 3 independent globe bodies looking for signs to go with them wasn't sure what was out there would love to see some pics if anyone had any

The Independent Oil Men of American (IOMA) was founded in the early 1921 or 1922 in Chicago and registered the red thunderbird logo (they refer to it as the "Red Spread Eagle")as an association trademark. Member organizations were licensed to use the trademark with the eagle logo. In June 1925 the registered the Red Hat trademark, specifically as a parody of Standard's Red Crown. Standard of Indiana sued, and IOMA lost the right to use the trademark in the 14 Standard of Indiana states + Nebraska, which was assigned to Standard of Nebraska, a close affiliate and later subsidiary of Standard of Indiana. The trademark rights were lost ONLY in these 15 states, to be phased out by 1932. However, marketers in other areas could and did continue to use the Red Hat trademark, as late as the early 1960s (color photo in One Hundred Years of Gas Stations, page 262, in Texas; a 1950s b&w photo on page 260, as well). Other marketers stepped away from the Red Hat trademark, even in areas where it was allowed, in case other suites were filed. Anyway, IOMA survived, and is actually a forerunner of one of the industry associations today. Last regular use of the IOMA thunderbird logo was by member Quincy Oil in Boston (100 years, page 216), into at least the 1970s. Signage and globes are known, as are paper goods, but no, repeat NO, pump plates are known that are original. The popular one seen today is actually a repop that dates back to 1973-1974.

WH/

thanks for the info and history i'm gonna buy the book

If you don't already have the book--you're missing a very valuable reference tool. Its a great piece of work!

does anyone have any pics besides the book I will post my globes

Here are some Red Hat items with thunderbird logo.....

Another IOMA member............

wow amazing stuff the reason i asked is i started collecting the globes and have 3 of them now just got one on monday here is a pic of the one i bought monday and my collection of globes.
marky

Very nice group of globes Mark!

thanks i'm on the hunt for more of them if anyone can help
thanks wayne just ordered the book can't wait to get it

Have a couple of these Thunderbird signs (each one has a side restored)

whoa those are amazing someday I hope

Here is a globe I used to own.

cool where did it go?

I believe it's in a fine collection in OK

ok i was looking for more

Bartles and Wadhams signs. 2 more independent companies.

got the book in the mail today pretty amazing book

Here is my Red Hat one piece etched globe. Scott B.

that is a nice globe

Thats a killer globe Scott!!

x2

definitely takes a back seat too Scott's...

I think I saw them on a Craigslist post in Tulsa or OKC a while back. They were not for sale.

What a beauty!

Randy that Red hat on a ripple is sweet.

well my collection has grew since i first posted still on the hunt for more of them
here are some pics
marky

...

ebay # 151739254051

I believe this magazine ad, is from the same time period (1926) as the sign, Randy, noted on Ebay;

# 400938334078

I am new to the site and went looking for discussions about Red Hat because my former gas station was a independent dealer's third retail location. I have photos from 1928 showing 6 visible gas pumps, two islands with 3 pumps each. Two pump globes are readily identified as "McCornack Red Hat" and "Aviation" brand of gasolines. The third pump globe on the outer island was facing away from the camera, but there is just a shadow of the globe on the island behind which I am difficulty matching the logo, hence the brand. Since he was independent, I would assume that all gasolines being sold were some form of independent brands. The Red Hat regular was priced at 19 cents and the unidentified pump was priced at 22 cents so it would be a premium gas. The logo on the back pump is somewhat triangular, wide at the top, any ideas. I would sure appreciate a follow up with picture of the logo for confirmation. I am about to confirm photo attachment.

Tri this...
https://oldgas.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=567552

I don't understand, the link you have suggested is the same link we are currently on!

Oops my apologies I went so far back I didn't see I was on the first page of this thread. LOL

Looks like American Tall 10s Visibles with AMAZING OPE oval globes! Man that is Slick!

The story told to me was from a former employee of the previous dealer at the location. "the boss's kid was horsing around in the attic and he broke up all of the globes stored up there". Those globes had been stored there from 1930 to the mid-70's and one stupid kid...What would be the value of an oval Red Hat globe with the company name embossed? I saw Mike on American Pickers pay $10k for a round Red Hat!

Going back in my research of the location, the Grand Opening was on December 24, 1928 and the brands announced in the advertisement were "Aviation, Red Hat, and Anti Knock gasolines" so the third pumps would be Anti Knock branded. Was the logo for an independent premium gasoline some variation of the Ethyl emblem? The Ethyl emblem was somewhat triangular inside the circle and maybe changed up to fit the oval shape globe. Open for discussion.

Just an FYI, that 'Red Hat' globe Mike paid 10K for . . . It was a prop.

Fake as a $3 bill.

Later . . .

Jim

(And I can prove it.)