Sun Oil Company (Sunoco)

Sunoco got its start on March 27, 1886, when Joseph Newton Pew and Edward O. Emerson, partners in The Peoples Natural Gas Company in Pittsburgh, Pa., made a bold move to diversify their business. Looking to the promising new oil discoveries in Ohio and Pennsylvania, the partners paid $4,500 for two oil leases near Lima, Ohio. Within a few years the company had acquired pipelines, leases, storage tanks -- and was emerging as one of Ohio's leading suppliers of crude oil. On March 17, 1890, it became The Sun Oil Company of Ohio and was producing, transporting and storing oil as well as refining, shipping and marketing petroleum products. Through the purchase of the Diamond Oil Company in 1894, Sun acquired a refinery in Toledo, Ohio, and began operations there in 1895. The partnership ended in 1899, when Mr. Pew bought out Mr. Emerson's interest.


Certificate: Common Stock, issued in the 1970’s

Printer: American Bank Note Company

Dimensions: 8” (h) x 12” (w)

State: PA-Pennsylvania

Subject Matter: Oil Companies | Gas Stations

Vignette Topic(s): Allegorical Featured | Allegorical Mercury | Laboratory Equipment Featured | Iconic Company Logos

Condition: Vertical fold lines, punch hole and stamp cancels in the signature areas and body, and some toning and edge faults from age.