OIL Collection |
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"More Smiles" |
INTRODUCTION:
This
chapter in "Bud's World" was designed to provide
petroleum collectors with a basic understanding of the
IRVING OIL CO.
and their various products. It is not intended to be an
authoritative reference guide and the
writer
strongly urges you to check the corporations website for information
you are seeking.
THE BEGINNING
It was 1924 when young 25 year old K.C. (Kenneth Colin)
Irving opened the first garage and service station in Bouctouche,
New Brunswick. It was also the year that K.C. opened a Ford
dealership in Saint John, N.B. and established Irving Oil Limited.
Using $2,000 of his own and borrowed money, K.C. established a small refinery and made arrangements for his first shipment of oil from the Charles Noble & Co. of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Building on the belief that ' Service means everything' Irving Oil quickly established a strong presence throughout Canada's Atlantic provinces. K.C. sensed that the automobile industry was about to grow and
he was proven right. By 1929 cars became affordable, the gasoline
output increased measureably and the road network expanded. Even
the misery associated with the stock crash proved to be nothing more
then another challenge to Ken Irving who realized, like other astute
empire |
In 1937 the IRVING Oil Corporation issued a
special commemorative logo honouring King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
Photo courtesy of Ted & Carol Appleby
EARLY PRODUCTS:
'Primrose' was the name of Irving Oil's first gasoline
while 'Velco' has been identified as their first motor oil.
It would
seem however that the 'IOKA', 'Superior' and 'Penn-Air'
brands were produced prior to Velco.
IOKA
Through the kindness
of
Victor Irving I have Thank you Victor |
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Superior & PENN-AIR
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Penn-Lube Motor Oil rack |
VELCO Motor Oil Penn-Lube Motor Oil |
IOKA Motor Oil rack |
VELCO Motor Oil rack Photo Courtesy of Wes Hague |
Photo courtesy of Norm Pennie |
IOKA Cup Grease |
Photo courtesy of Wes Haque |
IOKA & VELCO Motor Oil
cans
(Early products of the
Irving Oil Co.)
Attractive Irving quart oil
cans.
VELCO cans were less |
5 GALLON CANS
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PORCELAIN SIGNS
Photo courtesy of Ted & Carol Appleby
This sign appeared on the cab
of early delivery trucks
Photo courtesy of Ron Carey
IRVING OIL Travel Guides
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The IRVING OIL company produced a wide variety of colorful travel-guides and road maps. I hope to learn more about these guides and will update this feature as I do. |
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IRVING OIL produced a series of license plate attachments and porcelain signs that highlighted the names of different cities, towns and geographical areas throughout Atlantic Canada.
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TOYS
FOR BOYS
IRVING TANKER MODEL
Photo courtesy of Jim Williams
THE IRVING ROADSTER PEDAL CAR
This
wonderful pedal car was one of several prizes that was given away by
IRVING OIL
during their special "CRUISIN 2 WIN" promotion in 2004.
WANTED
I would appreciate hearing
from anyone who can assist me with finding new Irving items for my
collection. I am also seeking information relative to the early
IRVING products identified by such names as "IOKA" , "Primrose" and "Velco"
. Any help you can provide will be appreciated.
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