Collectors of petroliana and vintage advertising will have a rare opportunity this spring as the Annual Spring Big Boy Toy Auction prepares to offer select pieces from the esteemed Dennis Curlee Gas Globe & Root Art Collection.
Among the headliners are three highly sought-after vintage gas pump globes, each showcasing iconic branding from America’s golden era of service stations. The globes, made of milk glass and porcelain, are two-sided and feature vibrant, original colors and designs that have made them a staple of serious memorabilia collections.
The first is a Super Shell Ethyl gas pump globe, a two-sided milk glass piece measuring 18 inches by 18 inches with an 11-inch depth. Featuring the classic red and yellow Super Shell branding, this piece is expected to generate considerable interest among bidders due to its condition and display appeal.
Also included is a Red Crown Ethyl white pump globe, measuring 17 inches square. A standout with its clean white background and bold red lettering, the Red Crown Ethyl brand was once a premium fuel offering under the Standard Oil umbrella.
The third globe in the lot is a Gold and Red Crown pump globe, sized at 16 by 16 inches. This vibrant piece showcases a rare color scheme and adds historical value tied to early 20th-century petroleum marketing.
These gas globes represent a small but valuable fraction of the larger Curlee collection, which is known for its originality and meticulous preservation. The globes are not only decorative but serve as a snapshot of American roadside culture and branding heritage.
The auction will attract collectors from across the Midwest and beyond, eager to add a piece of automotive advertising history to their garages, shops, or man caves.
The ANNUAL SPRING BIG BOY TOY AUCTION takes place indoors on May 2nd and 3rd at the resort in French Lick Indiana. To consign, please contact Josh Settles at josh.s@freijeauctioneers.com There will be 500+ lots for sale including classic cars and automobilia. Many vehicles are selling at NO RESERVE. Register to bid today!