Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
Check the gas globe for the manufacturer's mark and serial number, if present.
Check the material of the globe. Although globes were usually manufactured in glass, they sometimes were manufactured in porcelain. If it has survived since the 1930s or even the '50s, it will show the marks of its years; check for scuff-marks, chips and cracks in the glass or porcelain.
Inspect the metal banding that runs around the circumference of the gas globe that holds the two glass lens together in the mid-line that runs around it and connected it to the gas pump. It should look as old as its decades. Look for areas of rust, dents and scratches. Reproduction pieces will have a less aged appearance. In addition, check for fading or even chips in the painted lettering of the logo on the globe.
Cross-compare the gas globe you are inspecting with a petroliana guide. You can find a number of guides online, from well-known auction sites to dedicated petroliana websites. The gas companies produced specific models of gas globes in specific years; check these against a reference guide along with the serial number.
Try to get as much information as possible from the vendor about the history of the gas globe. Enthusiasts who collect these pieces and trade authentic parts for restoration are generally knowledgeable about the components of antique gas pumps, which models specific parts were used with, and during which decade. A reputable vendor is likely to give you a lot of this information. You can then use online petrolania forums and websites to cross-reference the information that you are given to ensure that it checks out with the history of antique petrol pumps and gas globes.