Description: It was a balmy spring day in 1836 when English King William IV was called out on business from his Windsor Castle to London’s Buckingham Palace. The journey started out pleasant enough, but a critical problem developed as he approached the town of Slough east of London. One of the axles in his carriage had not been lubricated properly, resulting in the collapse of an entire wheel. No one was injured in the mishap, but the King’s schedule was disrupted and he was not amused. So was the schedule disrupted of the fictional Mr. Collins in Jane Austin’s 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice. Collins, a pompous and egotistical clergyman, lost a wheel (or at least his carriage did) during a carriage ride. Austin used the incident to call attention to how self-important men often overlooked what seemed to be the most trivial details in life, like oiling a carriage axle. It also provided a bit of comic relief in her novel. However, carriage axle lubrication was no laughing matter even in the 20th century and the early Standard Oil Co. of Indiana capitalized on the problem by manufacturing this product. The exact year this can was manufactured is difficult to ascertain. Technically, the Indiana Standard Oil Company didn’t come into being until the original Standard Oil Company monopoly was broken up around 1911. But the Chicago-based company had been making products like carriage oil beginning around 1900s, so this can could be close to 125-years old. It advised that the contents were to be used on buggies, carriages, wagons, and trucks (but probably not 18-wheelers). It had “matchless lasting properties” as the remaining contents to which the contents could attest. Not only did it prevent corrosion or gumming, it worked in winter and summer and did not injure hubs or spokes. The can measures 3.5 x 8 x 1.5 inches. It is in solid condition with no apparent leaks and is nearly full to attest to that fact. The paint on the one side looks better than the other but it is in overall good to very good condition. The spout is well attached to the cap. A must addition to any recreated stable or carriage house. Or for the petrohead who has everything. Shipped carefully packed. Check out our other petroliana at www.ebay.com/str/agitpropshoppe GC960014
Price: 218.87 USD
Location: Michigan
End Time: 2024-08-29T22:20:47.000Z
Shipping Cost: 12.99 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Brand: Standard Oil Indiana
Type of Advertising: Oil can
Color: Multi-color
Original/Reproduction: Original
Theme: Gas & Oil
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
