I love vintage ephemera, especially if it has to do with oil/gas companies (I have no idea why). If I had won that stupid MegaMillions drawing the other day, you better believe one of the first things I’d do with the money is to design a whole wing of my new mansion to house my soon-to-explode collection. Until then, I will have to make do with the occasional find. That brings us to this interesting item.

I wasn’t sure what it was at first, but some Google legwork leads me to believe it’s an ink blotter. You know, from back in the day when your ink was outside your pen. It’s for a particular brand of Gulf gasoline called “No-Nox,” and apparently there was some confusion as to whether or not it was poisonous. Apparently it’s not, so drink up!

Based on the car (illustrated with speed lines for effect) and fonts, I’d place this sometime in the 1920s or 1930s. If someone knows any different, please let me know. Notice the very old-style Gulf logo – very sweet. There’s a small note written on there, but that was likely added long after this blotter was made (it looks to be written in ballpoint pen). The back of the paper, on the other hand, does have quite a few ink blotches and half-formed words on it.

Turns out there is an actual GulfOil Historical Society, and they have a whole collection of blotter images. Color me jealous.

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