[Oil Product] Handy Oil Lubricant, Esso/Imperial Oil, 4 fl oz. can

Object/Artifact

-

Canadian Energy Museum

Name/Title

[Oil Product] Handy Oil Lubricant, Esso/Imperial Oil, 4 fl oz. can

Entry/Object ID

2024.1.13

Tags

Esso, Oil Products, Petroleum, Can, Red, White, Blue, Lubricant, Silver, 1950s, 1960s

Description

A 4 fl. oz. can of Esso/Imperial Oil Handy Oil lubricant, dating to roughly the 1960s. This is a household product for various mechanical product maintenance. The small can is an oval/ellipse shaped cylinder, with branding and other print on the broader sides. The ends of the cylinder (top and bottom) have a 3mm deep and 1.5mm wide lip, and are exposed silver-coloured metal. On the top is the opening of the can, topped with a cap. The cap has a smaller screw top at the top of the nozzle and also screws off at the base. The front of the can is branded thusly: the top 2/6ths of the background is a band of red, followed by a white band covering the next 3/6ths, and the bottom 1/6th is a deep blue band. Along the top edge is the white text "NET CONTAINS 4 FL. OZ.". Below is centered a small white spot; then on the border of the red and white bands is an Esso text logo (stylised red "ESSO" inside a white oval with a deep blue border); below in small blue text reads "REG D TRADE MARK"; in the centre of the white band is the large blue block text "HANDY OIL"; underneath is a small red spot; below is the blue text "CLEANS LUBRICANTS; PREVENTS RUST". On the back of the can, the top 5/6ths is a band of red, with the bottom 1/6th a deep blue band that aligns with the same on the front. At the top is a white on red version of the Esso text logo (red text with additional tiny red text beneath on a white oval, with a fine red inner band and wider white border); followed by the block text "HANDY OIL; a small white spot centered beneath; the white text ""A high quality colorless oil for general lubrication for household and minor automotive lubrication and rust prevention; Especially recommended for; AUTOMOTIVE STARTERS; GENERATORS ETC.; VACUUM CLEANERS; SEWING MACHINES; LAWN MOWERS; FISHING TACKLE; ELECTRIC FANS; TYPEWRITERS; FORE-ARMS; BICYCLES"; below in smaller white text reads "WATER WHITE — NON GUMMING — NON CORROSIVE"; followed by a centered small white spot; below in small block text reads "IMPERIAL OIL LIMITED"; and in smaller text below "MADE IN CANADA".

Collection

Herbert H. Gable Collection

Cataloged By

Danielle P. Lane

Category

Lubricant
Petroleum Products and Packaging

Acquisition

Accession

2024.1

Source or Donor

Herbert H. Gable

Acquisition Method

Gift

Made/Created

Manufacturer

ESSO, Imperial Oil

Time Period

20th Century

Place

Country

Canada

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Can, Oil

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Tool, Lubrication

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Mechanical Devices

Nomenclature Class

Mechanical T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 05: Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Can, including Cap

Height

141 mm

Width

54 mm

Depth

29 mm

Dimension Notes

The body minus the cap has a height of 116mm.

Material

Metal

Color

Red, Blue, White, Silver, Navy

Condition

Reason for Exam

Accession

Overall Condition

Fair

Condition Detail

Soiling/Grime, Residue, Transfer, Dust / Particulate Matter, Scratch, Dent, Finger Prints / Marks, Chip / Chipping

Date Examined

Jan 19, 2024

Examined By

Danielle P. Lane

Cleanliness

The can is covered in a moderate level of grime, particulate/dust, and lubricant residue. Most accumulated in the corners and seams. On the surface grime, there are some fingerprints present. On the front is a band of blue transfer, to the left-of-centre.

Surface

The paint layer containing the branding on the body of the can is scratched/chipped off in places. Notable examples include a cluster of missing paint in the top-left of the front; a cluster of small scratches in the lower centre of the front; a circle of missing paint in the bottom-centre of the front; a diagonal scratch in the bottom-right corner of the front; cluster of small scratches in top-left corner of the back; cluster of medium-sized chips/scratches in the lower-left of the back; and two moderate parallel diagonal scratches in the lower-right of the back.

Materials

No obvious rust or oxidisation.

Created By

Danielle P. Lane

Create Date

January 19, 2024

Updated By

Danielle P. Lane

Update Date

January 19, 2024