Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion How many collectors are there in the USA

Was talking to a co worker today about many collectors there are in our area. Was a difficult discussion due to many variables. But I came to the conclusion that there were probally about 75 collectors in our state with collections with a value of 25,000 or more. Collections would include the usual stuff signs, clocks thermometers, pumps, soda machines. Including gas/oil, soda, automotive, drugstore,ect. How many collectors are in the USA that meet this criteria. I'm sure opinions will vary. I am guessing there around 75,000 of us???? What do you think the population is??

Sure seems like a small group out here in New Mexico. Maybe about 10 or 12 of us out here that I know of.

LESS than 1% are members here. As for a $25,000.00 value, that could be anyone w/ 1 sign/globe/pump or combination!
You might as well be guessing how many collections are out there valued over a Million U.S. Dollars.

From what I have seen in my area it is a lot to various degees. Some hard core and some casual collectors.

You won't ever even know about75 percent of the collectors, I find closet collectors in my area every once in awhile.

Seem to be a lot of petro collectors in the Chicago area. I'd estimate about 50 in northern Illinois.

Isn't the definition of a collector as someone with 10 items in their chosen category?

A lot of "hidden" collections out there...many people do not use the computer and I am sure many big collectors never heard of this site. I have been to some "hidden" collections with amazing stuff.

I've worked for the last ten years with three gas pump collectors assisting them in putting together some of the greatest collections of gas pumps I've ever seen or heard of. None of them are members here and all three have collections worth $500,000 or more...one has a collection worth at least a million dollars. They don't advertise it and I don't know of more then two or three other people that know about them. I would think there's gotta be lots more of that type of collector out there...

I'm with DB on the $25,000 value. It would not take much to surpass this threshold. I was shocked when I compiled an inventory list of my items. . .and my rinky-dink collection pales in comparison to other friends in the hobby.

As for the number of collectors, there are quite a few in the central Georgia area and I'm always meeting more. Some serious, some novice. But, what really excites me is to meet the younger fellows getting into the hobby. We're an odd sect, but without fresh blood any hobby will fade.

Here's to all Gas/Oil/Advertising collectors both new and old. . .may their barns continue to fill!

I easily fit this category. It kinda sneaks up on ya doesn't it?

There are many collectors and dealers in Centeral Va. There are more valuable antique cars in this area then you could ever imagine. Lots of killer signs and pumps. Still lots of stuff to be found as well. This week alone I purchased a Sherwin Williams Paint sign and a local Craddock Terry Shoe sign, about 1910 diecut bell. Both in the area.

There are a wide range of collectors in this area, signs, pumps, milk bottles, guns, fishing, black, glassware, local history ,cars, lightning rod balls, pedal cars, teddy bears, dolls etc. I have found that most collectors, collect in more then one item. I personal seem to collect a little of most anything and a lot of some things. It's a lot of fun when you set up at a show and half the dealers in the row are from where you live, just trying to make a buck so they can go find the next thing to add to their collection.

There's not many in MD for sure. Probably about 12-15 total in Md.