Bert Montgomery Salyer Jr. arrived in Oklahoma City in 1934 and built a chain of over 35 retail gasoline stations across Oklahoma and surrounding states from nothing. His economy product was re-refined motor oil — and he put one of the most striking label designs in Oklahoma petroliana on it. The Sooner Queen. A cowgirl kneeling beside a campfire, a Hereford calf, rolling plains. A comparable can sold at Morphy's Hershey auction in October 2024 for $6,150. Now it's a pillow for the reading chair.
Double-sided 100% spun polyester pillowcase with concealed zipper. Available in 18", 20", and 24" square. Pillow insert sold separately. Machine wash cold, do not bleach or tumble dry.
Salyer Refining Company operated from 1934 through the early 1950s out of Oklahoma City. The Sooner Queen re-refined motor oil brand was their economy line — reclaimed, cleaned, and resold at a time when postwar motorists needed cheap lubrication and independent refiners needed a way to compete against the majors. The can's cowgirl-and-campfire design is documented in major petroliana auction records. Most cans were thrown away. This one wasn't — and now the label lives on.
The perfect gift for the Oklahoma history collector, the petroliana enthusiast who knows the Salyer story, the farmhouse or cabin decorator, or anyone who wants a rare piece of Oklahoma oil history on the couch.
The Faded Label Co. — keeping the golden age of American roadside art alive, one product at a time.
