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 on a tote you'll actually use.
100% cotton canvas tote, heavy 12oz/yd² fabric, flat-corner construction, reinforced self-fabric handles. Available in Natural and Black, 15" x 16". Spot clean, line 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 farmers-market regular, or anyone who wants a rare piece of Oklahoma oil history slung over a shoulder.
The Faded Label Co. — keeping the golden age of American roadside art alive, one product at a time.
