About 200 people gathered in the University of Pittsburgh at
Bradford Sport and Fitness Center Friday night spending thousands
of dollars at the American Refining Group Inc. auction.
The auction, held in conjunction with ARG’s 125th anniversary
celebration this weekend, was conducted by auctioneers Chuck and
Jon Garrison of Des Moines, Iowa. The Garrisons reportedly have 25
years of experience specializing in oil and gas industry
antiques.
Many oil and gas related items, as well as general store-type
antiques, were sold. Items on display prior to the auction included
crude oil sample cases, a glass case of starched shirt collars,
time pieces and dye kits, among others.
The auction started at 7 p.m. and continued for several hours,
with some of the higher-priced items including a Penzbest Kendall
Motor Oil sign that went for $1,275 and several glass lantern
globes with oil and gas product logos. One globe featuring a
Kendall Polly Power logo sold for $450, and two Barnsdall globes
went for $600 and $825.
An antique Kendall wall clock sold for $550.
A Smith & Wesson Starter Pistol used at the old Kendall
Refinery picnics for festivities was sold for more than $200, with
the proceeds going to the McKean County Special Olympics.
Several smaller items including metal signs, grease and oil
cans, varied fuel containers, wall-hangings sold for anywhere from
$20 to more than $200. Other items yet to be auctioned late Friday
night included Kendall fuel pumps, a model of an oil derrick, and
many wooden and tin containers and wall-hangings.
Old brand names featured on the items up for auction – in
addition to Kendall, ARG and their refinery family brands – were
Sky Chief, Red Indian, Shell, Mother Penn, Yellow Dog and Valvoline
and more.
A limited edition Zippo lighter was also to be auctioned, but it
was unknown Friday night how much it sold for.
It was also unclear at press time Friday night what the highest
selling item was and how much it sold for. Several larger pieces of
equipment, including the fuel pumps, were yet to be sold as of 9:30
p.m.
