In the past year or so I started collecting oil cans. They are extremely collectible and have a pretty decent entry price point for just about any collector. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes as well as the material they are made from.
Typically the better the advertising on the front of the can the higher its value. Also, a major factor is condition. Things that affect value include; dents, does it still have oil, if so is it leaking oil, are the graphics clearly legible.
Typically the better the advertising on the front of the can the higher its value. Also, a major factor is condition. Things that affect value include; dents, does it still have oil, if so is it leaking oil, are the graphics clearly legible.
Soldered Seam Metal Quart - Soldered seam cans are differentiated by their gray stripe on the back or side of the can. As pictured, bare metal is visible as is the solder. This can was primarily used from the introduction of the "standard" quart size can until the early 1940's.
Crimped Seam Metal Quart - The crimped seam eliminated the need and expense of soldering the seam of the can. Instead a crimped seam held the can together from top to bottom. Crimped seems replaced the soldered seam metal
Paper / Cardboard Quarts - Composite cardboard or "paper" quarts are constructed of heavy cardboard. They started to appears in the 1940's but were not adopted by most companies until the late 1950's and were used through the late 1980's. These are great for entry level collectors because they can typically be purchased at a much lower price point that metal cans. On the downside they typically do not hold up well over time. If full, they often leak.
5 Gallon Round Oil Can - These cans are my personal favorite and perhaps the best for displaying. They were made incredibly tough and tend to be found in tact. The major thing to watch for are the graphics. Many times these cans were re-purposed for holding other liquid and will have writing or carving into the graphics.
There are numerous other can sizes and shapes of oil cans that I have not touched on. To learn more visit www.oilcans.net
- Square Metal Quarts
- Round Plastic Quarts
- 1/2 Gallon Oil Cans - Early Rectangle
- 1 Gallon Oil Cans - Early Rectangle
- 2 Gallon Oil Cans
- 5 Gallon Square Oil Cans
- 5 Gallon Easy Pour Oil Cans