09/12/2026
Do you remember your first?
Long before Oil Capital Collectibles, before the auctions and before the business had a name, there was simply a collector who loved the hunt.
This old Polaroid is Jim more than 40 years ago, proudly holding a Conoco Gasoline sign—and already surrounded by the kind of vintage advertising and petroleum memorabilia that would become a lifelong passion.
What started as an interest became four decades of collecting, buying, selling, studying and handling petroliana and antique advertising. Along the way came thousands of pieces, countless shows and auctions, friendships with collectors across the country, and the kind of knowledge that can only come from spending a lifetime in the hobby.
Oil Capital Collectibles may be a newer name in the auction world, but the experience behind it is anything but new.
And that’s something that’s important to us.
When we describe a rare oil can, evaluate a porcelain sign, identify an obscure Oklahoma petroleum brand or talk with someone about selling a collection that took decades to build, we’re approaching it as collectors first.
Because we know every collection has a story.
This photo is part of ours.
Now we want to hear yours.
What was the first piece that started your collection? A sign? Oil can? Gas pump globe? Soda piece? Something completely different?
👇 Tell us about it in the comments—and if you still have it, post a picture. We’d love to see it.
