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This page: Two illustrated letters sent by Central Oil Co. to a garage in Bovey Tracey.

Old letters sent by an Central Oil Company Ltd.

Both of these letters were written by the Central Oil Co., and sent to Tucker Bros. who presumably operated a garage, in 1922 - one is dated August 3rd, and the other August 4th. Each has a fine illustration at the top of the letter, hence their being shown here!

Letter Aug 3rd 1922 from Central Oil
1920s oil company letter

The first letter sent by this oil company, situated at 70 Queen Street, Bristol, offers a barrel of oil, on approval, to the Tucker garage...

"As we have not yet a fixed Distributer in Bovey Tracey, we are sending you the barrel as per enclosed, but entirely and wholly on approval only, - and in future, we undertake it will not be charged to you at over 2/-d. First, however, drop us the enclosed postcard certain, and oblige,
Yours Faithfully, Central Oil Company."

The heading of the letter advises that Central can supply 'Premium Motor Oils', and they were contactable via telegram at "VISCOSITY, BRISTOL". The illustration shows various barrels of oil at a quayside, each marked up with different customers and types of lubricant - those I can make out include GAS ENGINE, STEAM ENGINE & SHAFTING, WOOL, SPINDLE, CRANK, MARINE, OIL ENGINE, FORD MOTOR, FILTERED CYLINDER, SEPARATOR, CASTOR, TURBINE, SOLID, SENTINEL, FODEN, CHARABANC, MOTOR HEAVY OIL, and MEDIUM MOTOR OIL. Both illustrations incorporate the name H.T. Painter, perhaps it was he/she that did created the artwork??

Letter Aug 4th 1922 from Central Oil
20s Ford Motor oil

The second letter, again to Tucker Brothers from Central Oil, specifies Superfine Ford oil as possibly of interest to them, for re-sale...

"Gentlemen, If we are prepared to send you a barrel of - SUPERFINE NON-CARBONIZING, EASY STARTING, FORD OIL at 1/9d per gallon, Nett prompt, instead of 3/6d, for the sake of your opinion of the oil, will you consent to give this quality of Super Excellence a fair trial? We invite correspondence re valuable Distributing Agency.
Yours very truly, The Central Oil Company."

This letter was specifically from the Ford Department, and written in a way that you wouldn't see today, using language that takes some interpreting when read now. A further note at the bottom of this letter, curiously typed in red ink, and barely visible, reads...

"P.S. The above letter has opened very many first class accounts, most of whom send repeat orders which are only executed at a somewhat higher price. The privilege however still remains for you to test a sample barrel at 1/9d, but only for immediate reply."

The heading on this letter reads "Official Distributors of Fordwell Oils etc in every centre (Scientifically made motor oils)".

[return to the Motoring Collectables section.]

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Old Classic Car (C) R. Jones 2023. Content not to be reproduced elsewhere.

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