Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Gas and Oil Sign Book

As I near completion of my new book "100 Years of Gas Stations" (due out this fall, over 1500 great gas station photos) I have started to contemplate future projects. One thing that has been on my radar for several years is an update, in some form, of a gas and oil sign book. And I am something of a loss as to how to create this book. First off, we have tens of thousands of photos of signs 1900-present. There is no shortage of material. But with that much material, I am having trouble considering where to draw the lines. If we do a print book, physical construction and price considerations will limit the layout to around 350 pages, maybe 400. Even a six pictures to a page, that only starts to scratch the surface. And I am reluctant to try another e-book design, as so many folks have been not warmed up to the format. When I did the globe book last year, I thought that the unlimited size and search capability would overcome the negative of not having a print version. While no one has necessarily disliked the e-book format, it has been expressed to me many times some version of "wish y'all had done this as a regular book." So, before any forward motion can be made on this project, what would you, the hobby, like to see in a sign book, with the consideration that physical size cannot likely exceed about 400 pages max, and that indexing (that actually works) is essentially impossible.
I'm not sure where this is going, if anywhere. This is by no means an announcement that we are going to even do the book. But it is an informal survey of what you would want to see in a sign book. Feel free to comment.

Wayne Henderson
Petroleum Collectibles Monthly
Kernersville, NC

I always like to get a new good quality book on the hobby. Since size is a consideration, you may want to plan on a volume one two and three if required. May be better than skipping a lot of pictures to get it all in one book? Or maybe one book on just pump plate size signs, one for bigger gas and oil and one for automotive signs or the accessories like tires and related items. It will be a lot of work. Or just put everything on a DVD and let people dig through it?

Pm sent

First of all, I am a book lover. Nothing I like better than cracking open ANY book and reading/leafing through it.

On the other hand, given the choice of NO sign book or a drastically edited sign book, or a highly complete e-book, I would want the e-book.

While the globe e-book does not give me the sensory joy that a print gives me, I would not give up any of the information it contains in order to get it into a printed copy.

My vote would be for as complete as possible e-book.

If that doesn't work and you settle on a print book, I would say start with every Standard Oil of Indian sign you can find and then add other stuff if there is room!

Lee

I like the Idea of the 3 volumes like Wes said. I love technology but I would rather have this type of thing in a Hard Cover Book to add to my Library of Gas & Oil, Car and Garage Related books that I have. Nothing better then sitting in the Garage on a Rainy Day with the Pumps lit up and the Radio playing kicked back on the Couch enjoying a Gas & Oil book!!!

I am one of those "Older" Members of the Hobby, that don't have I-pads, I-phones or tablets... As such, I have no idea what an E-Book is?.... (my cell phone is so old, I can't text on it, nor does it have the ability to take images or get on the 'net)

Such a project on CD like the Globe CD, atleast for me and others like me. Would be, fantastic!

Bob, What is a CD?

Bob, I am sorry, but it ain't happening; no 8 track version of the book!

How about volumes covering the larger companies individually. Like Standard Oil (all the various companies), Texaco, Shell in stand alone volumes. Then a couple volumes lumping smaller companies together.

I can see, how it has the potential to mushroom into a complex and enormous time consuming project.

Yikes this seems like a massive project to say the least.
Outside of breaking it down by company or subgroups like
Pump plate signs, curb side, 6 ft , 4ft, I don't know how you could
Write a 400 page book and get it all in.
I don't think this is a book project rather a catalog project. Has to be
On a cd or wedsite.

Let me know when your latest book comes out if like to buy one.

I like the idea of both a physical and e-book option. Multiple volumes would be good of course.

How about a combination book w/DVD? Have the book reference resources in the DVD for further information and a cross index which would be searchable?

Printing costs can be atrocious especially full color photos. That is where a DVD would be handy to archive color photos for reference, etc.

I agree with Dave - major portion of the book focused on the majors, those alone had a tremendous variety of signs. Maybe use the last 15%-20% of the book on less common brands?

To me, being comprehensive is more important than being portable. Our hobby has had multiple books attempt to tackle signs over the years, some doing a better job than others. However, none doing them justice IMO for the part they play in collecting, and have played in the evolution of the gas station. No offense to those who have tried, as I can only imagine how daunting a task it is! Jack's pump book and your globe books have become invaluable reference tools for all of us. Something like this on signs would be great! Embrace the technology people, an all encompassing sign "book" in print form is cost prohibitive and too big to carry. I will also step out and say, I wouldn't mind paying $100 for an inclusive sign ebook - if that's what it takes for your time and expertise to do it right. Well worth that IMO. The searchability, portability, and completeness of an ebook far outweigh having it on the shelf. I don't see any any other way it works? Could you do a Texaco sign book, a Mobil sign book, and a Shell sign book and sell many of each? Sure, but that is not the useful comprehensive sign reference book that this hobby could really use. Think how helpful this would be with all the reproduction signs and new collectors these days. Thanks for a great job on what you've done for us Wayne, and PLEASE do the sign ebook!

As a librarian, I would like to see both come out. As a petro collector, I would like to see a larger amount devoted to the minor brands. It seems as if a lot of the large brands could be covered with a "type" photo and size, and notations such as, "as above, but 36".