According to some online references, Sun Flash gasoline was a private brand owned by Humble that was based out of Columbus, Ohio. The ad above – sponsored by the Sun Flash station located at Broadway and 13th Street – ran in the Lorain Journal on March 6, 1955.
The ad is interesting as it reveals that Sun Flash had its own stamp redemption program. And one of the items that you could "buy" with your stamps was a large, creepy doll! (Shades of Ol' Lanky Long?)
However, I had trouble coming up with photos of the "giant 30 inch doll." Just what would you call that guy? A clown? A jester?
Anyway, I think this might be him (below) – and he's currently on Ebay. He's described as a "vintage large jester clown sprite pixie gnome doll" – and I guess that covers just about everything.
He seems to be somewhat of a match, although much of the paint is worn off his face. He's 33 inches long and has the strangely shaped legs just like the drawing, as well as those weird ribbons tied around his ankles.
And like Ol' Lanky, he looks slightly diabolical.
3 comments:
That "thing" gives me the creeps!
My dad ran the Sun Flash station on Broadway for a few years after WWII. My grandpa was the premium buyer for Sun Flash Oil Co., and may have been responsible for the doll. You must be a good horn man to have played with Biz Grove. My dad Mel played with him, Jimmy Dulio, and had his own group the Stardusters - was good to see that name in a few ads on your great blog. The Sun Flash station was eventually replaced by Mr S. fast foods. Bob Bartick, a Gary family son-in-law, ran Mr. S. I think Alex Visci called my dad daddio, at least when I was along - a unique human spirit - Alex was our repair guy for the sax and clarinet. Can't stop reading your blog. Thanks so much for your productive obsession
Thanks for taking the time to leave the comment about the Sun Flash station – I appreciate it. Hopefully I will do a post on the Biz Grove Band in 2020 so your father, trumpeter Mel Gymorie should pop up in at least one photo. And I like your phrase ‘productive obsession’ – that is the best description I’ve ever heard for what I do here! Merry Christmas!
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