www.vintagegarage.co.uk - 2 Gallon Petrol Cans for the Shell Company

A selection of Shell 2 gallon petrol cans dating from the very rare 1907 and 1908 2 gallon cans right up to the Shell X-100 Motor Oil can of the 1950's. Please visit the history section for lots more on the Shell Company. Also see Shell-Mex 2 gallon petrol cans for other examples of Shell related petrol cans.

The advertisements below date respectively to 1907 and to around 1918. Late in 1906 a company called the General Petroleum Co Ltd was formed to act as a marketing company in the UK for petroleum products. Shell was its main customer and Interestingly the address of this company was at 19 - 21 Billiter Street, London, right next door to Shell's main competitor in the UK - the Anglo-American Oil Co Ltd at 22 Billiter Street. Research now indicates that shortly after its formation this German controlled company changed its name to the more familiar and appropriate British Petroleum Co Ltd, and moved its operations to a new address at 22 Fenchurch St, London. The first two cans below date either side of the name change with one being marked G.P. Co Ltd and the other B.P. Co Ltd.

The Shell Marketing Co Ltd was formed In 1915, and from 1917 assumed all responsibility for the marketing of Shell's products in the UK after the expiry of the agency agreement with the German controlled British Petroleum which had previously been seized by the British Government in 1914. The second advertisement below nicely illustrates Shell's main motor spirit products just after the conclusion of the war in 1918.

1907 advertisement for the General Petroleum Co Ltd the marketing agent for the Shell company in the UK

1907 advertisement for the General Petroleum Co Ltd illustrating the original name of the British Petroleum Co Ltd

Invoice advertisement of 1918 illustrating 3 brands of company motor spirit

Invoice advertisement of 1918 illustrating the 3 brands of company motor spirit. The 2 gallon petrol can for "Crown" actually depicts a "Dutch" style crown which is where this brand was mainly sold. The 2 gallon Crown Spirit can illustrated on this page depicts the English "Kings" Crown.

A real rarity, circa 1907 with a 1 inch neck and marked G.P. Co Ltd to the top panel. This dates to when G.P./B.P. was German owned and marketed all of Shell's products in Great Britain. With thanks to James Friend	A real rarity, circa 1907 with a 1 inch neck and marked G.P. Co Ltd to the top panel. Notice the later brass plate to the handle which illustrates the change of name from the General Petroleum Co Ltd to the British Petroleum Co Ltd. With thanks to James Friend	Another rarity, dated 3 08 with a 1 inch neck and marked B.P. Co Ltd to the top panel. This dates to just after the name change from the General Petroleum Co Ltd to the British Petroleum Co Ltd. With thanks to Tim Clark	An unusual Shell Motor Spirit can - It has the slotted ring around the neck & '3' embossed on the pecten on top. With thanks to Chris Wotton - Cornwall	An unusual Shell Motor Spirit can - it has the slotted ring around the neck and matching brass cap. It also has & '3' embossed on the pecten on top. With thanks to Chris Wotton - Cornwall

English 2 gallon petrol can version of Crown Spirit. With thanks to John Lodge	Racing Shell 2 gallon petrol can. With thanks to Tim Clark	Early Shell running board can with the early clam to the top panel. With thanks to Canny	Early Shell running board can with the early clam to the top panel. With thanks to Canny	Running board can for Morris Cars Ltd. The Morris branding is found in 3 can styles - as shown, with a clam to both sides and with a clam and Shell Motor Spirit. With thanks to Canny

Running board can produced for Morris cars Ltd. The top panel proclaims 'Shell for Morris Cars'. With thanks to Canny	Shell Motor Spirit can with a Shell oil tin insert. This pre dates the 1931 Shell-Mex joint venture with B.P.. With thanks to John Lodge	Shell Motor Spirit can with a Shell oil tin insert. This pre dates the 1931 Shell-Mex joint venture with B.P. With thanks to John Lodge	Shell Motor Spirit can with a Shell oil tin insert. This pre dates the 1931 Shell-Mex joint venture with B.P. With thanks to John Lodge	Shell Motor Spirit can with a Shell oil tin insert. This pre dates the 1931 Shell-Mex joint venture with B.P. With thanks to John Lodge

Later Shell Motor Spirit can dating to the Shell-Mex & B.P. Ltd joint venture period of the 1930's. With thanks to John Lodge	Shell Aviation Spirit 2 Gallon Petrol can. With thanks to John Lodge	'Shell X-100 Motor Oil which made its name in motor racing in the early 1950's. With thanks to Chris Wotton	2 Gallon Petrol Can for Irish Shell Ltd, Dublin. With thanks to Tim Clark	Shell & BP (I.F.S) Ltd was the Irish marketing arm of Shell-Mex & B.P. Ltd - IFS stands for Irish Free State. With thanks to Tim Clark

Shell Benzine - Australian brand	2 Gallon Petrol Can for the Belgium Shell Company. With thanks to Tim Clark	'Shell Special Products' - a Dutch brand of Shell. With thanks to Tim Clark	10 Litre Petrol Can for Shell, possibly a French can. With thanks to Tim Clark	2 Gallon Petrol Can for Shell Motor Spirit from the Asiatic Petroleum Co (India) Ltd. With thanks to Tim Clark

European 10 Litre Petrol Can for Shell. With thanks to Tim Clark	European 10 Litre Petrol Can for Shell Auto Benzin. With thanks to Tim Clark	Austrian 10 Litre Can for Shell Mineral Oil. The translation is Shell Floridsdorf Mineral Oil Factory (Floridsdorf is a district of Vienna, Austria). With thanks to Tim Clark

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