Texas Oil and Gas

redleash · August 16, 2013

Pulled out a few old shots just for fun and some odds and ends processing. Here is a glimpse of the oil and gas industry in small town Texas. Remember some of these?

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8. If you look closely at the label on these pipes you will see "Eagle Ford Shale." This area is unusual because it produces both oil and natural gas. While bringing lots of jobs and money, it is also controversial because of the use of "fracking," a method of production that some believe misuses and depletes limited water supplies. There are also complaints about all the trucks that are on the backroads and small towns. When I took these shots a couple of years ago, I drove lots of those backroads and passed only a handful of those trucks. I have not been there recently but I suspect it is pretty crowded.

black mamba · August 16, 2013

Yeah, Lauren, I do remember some of these. That's an interesting array of shots.

I think I'll sell everything I own and start buying every old sign I can find. Seriously, though, sales prices paid for some of the really good stuff out there, at a few auctions I've been to lately, have been eye-opening.

Thanks for bringing back thoughts of some great times I spent in that neck of the woods.

Tom

redleash · August 17, 2013

Glad you enjoyed them! I thought of you when I posted the sign shots. I have a growing collection (of images that is) so I will share some more with you. A recent auction here had quite a few signs but I was out of town so I have no idea what they sold for.

Earache · August 17, 2013

Cool stuff Lauren... I love the Mobilgas winged horse symbol - they don't make 'em like that anymore.
I never knew about the market and value of Oil & Gas related stuff until I saw it on American Pickers... doesn't seem to be a lot of this stuff out-west (SoCal).

black mamba · August 17, 2013

Earache wrote: »

Cool stuff Lauren... I love the Mobilgas winged horse symbol - they don't make 'em like that anymore.
I never knew about the market and value of Oil & Gas related stuff until I saw it on American Pickers... doesn't seem to be a lot of this stuff out-west (SoCal).

What goes on in that market is amazing, Eric. There was an old guy up in the mountains that I used to stop and talk with occasionally. He had a huge barn that was covered on the outside ( literally, every square inch ) with signs and the inside was crammed with all kinds of advertising stuff ( signs, old gas pumps, etc. ) from floor to ceiling. He had been an oil company distributor...Texaco....but had collected stuff put out by every major player in that industry.

His collection was fairly well known among the knowledgeable crowd. When he died a couple of years ago, his family staged a huge 3-day auction that was promoted nationally. When the smoke cleared, the family netted over $300,000.....in bad economic times, no less.

I don't have the in-depth knowledge ( or time ) to really explore this market as a business. However, I have a good friend up there that is qualified. I've talked with him recently about me shuffling some bucks his way and the two of us forming an operation to exploit this special market. I wouldn't risk the necessary capital for this venture if this guy wasn't a real pro and the market wasn't as strong as it is. We'll see what transpires.

Tom

DonRicklin · August 17, 2013

Around these parts I like spotting the old Texaco sign posts. They often don't have the logo on them anymore but they are so distinctive with the circle on the top!

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Love this series, Lauren.

Don

Earache · August 17, 2013

black mamba wrote: »

What goes on in that market is amazing, Eric. There was an old guy up in the mountains that I used to stop and talk with occasionally. He had a huge barn that was covered on the outside ( literally, every square inch ) with signs and the inside was crammed with all kinds of advertising stuff ( signs, old gas pumps, etc. ) from floor to ceiling. He had been an oil company distributor...Texaco....but had collected stuff put out by every major player in that industry.

His collection was fairly well known among the knowledgeable crowd. When he died a couple of years ago, his family staged a huge 3-day auction that was promoted nationally. When the smoke cleared, the family netted over $300,000.....in bad economic times, no less.

I don't have the in-depth knowledge ( or time ) to really explore this market as a business. However, I have a good friend up there that is qualified. I've talked with him recently about me shuffling some bucks his way and the two of us forming an operation to exploit this special market. I wouldn't risk the necessary capital for this venture if this guy wasn't a real pro and the market wasn't as strong as it is. We'll see what transpires.

Tom

Wow Tom, that sounds like a very interesting and fun venture - best of luck with that!
300K? - wow! I bet the margin from the original cost was pretty good - that worked out great for his family!
If you hit-it big and end-up with a reality TV show or something, remember your friends!

Lauren, sorry to hijack your thread a bit - it's fun stuff!

Dogdots · August 17, 2013

Oh I feel so old

I do remember the first three photos. Was the price of gas still on the gas pump? I always find that so interesting. Thanks for posting these. I had fun looking at them.

black mamba · August 17, 2013

I apologize also, Lauren. But I know you share an interest in this kind of stuff so I thought I'd expound on the old sign market to go along with your pictures. Understand, my personal knowledge in this arena is rather limited.

To keep it in proper perspective, the case I referred to in the posting above is an extreme example. Everything that guy had on and in that big barn was first-class stuff. Almost all of what was inside was still in its original packing. Unbelievable. I was told that folks came from all over the country to the auction....his collection demanded that kind of attention, and money.

Lauren, I think you'll see that more folks than you might have expected are eager to see more of your collection of sign pictures. I know I am.

Take care,

Tom

ian408 · August 17, 2013

Did you see any "Flying A" signs? Been a bunch of different companies that have come and gone or merged. Pretty crazy.

Those vintage signs are pretty big business. Same with oil cans (the paper ones)-those are huge.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane

redleash · August 18, 2013

Thanks for all the visits and comments. Randy and Eric, you can hijack my threads anytime. I always enjoy the round-table discussions.

So, Tom, following up on your post in my thread......what became of your plan to start buying this stuff?

I enjoy watching American Pickers and American Restoration. Maybe I should start asking folks in these small towns if anything is for sale. Wonder if that flying horse would fit in my truck?

I did look at the price on the pump but honestly don't remember what it was. I will make a note next time and let ya'll know. When I started driving at 16 I think the price was 49 cents a gallon.

I am glad to know folks are interested in my shots. My creative rut has gone on so long now but I am grateful for all the encouragement. I will post a few more images for you to take a gander at.

Got a photography workshop coming up next week so I hope to have some nice shots from that!

Lauren

black mamba · August 18, 2013

redleash wrote: »

Thanks for all the visits and comments. Randy and Eric, you can hijack my threads anytime. I always enjoy the round-table discussions.

So, Tom, following up on your post in my thread......what became of your plan to start buying this stuff?

I enjoy watching American Pickers and American Restoration. Maybe I should start asking folks in these small towns if anything is for sale. Wonder if that flying horse would fit in my truck?

I did look at the price on the pump but honestly don't remember what it was. I will make a note next time and let ya'll know. When I started driving at 16 I think the price was 49 cents a gallon.

I am glad to know folks are interested in my shots. My creative rut has gone on so long now but I am grateful for all the encouragement. I will post a few more images for you to take a gander at. Got a photography workshop coming up next week so I hope to have some nice shots from that!

Lauren

I expect that my friend/partner in this venture will finalize our agreement soon. I learned years ago that, regardless of friendship ties, any business dealings are best structured through written contracts, etc., etc. We are finishing up that stage of our agreement.

As I mentioned earlier, my partner is a consummate pro when wheeling and dealing in this kind of material. And, frankly, our little venture will succeed or fail based on his performance. I'm simply going to provide the capital required for him to accelerate his current activities in these specialized collectibles. The bulk of his business activities are beyond the scope of our understanding. But, when it comes to buying and selling a certain genre of stuff, we will be equal partners. My capital contributions will allow him to greatly increase his penetration into this select market. Hopefully, we'll be able to divvy up a few shekels of profit down the road. In any event, I'm bound to learn some interesting stuff and expand my horizons.

I'll keep you tuned in.

Tom

Texas Oil and Gas

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