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VISIT BARRETT-JACKSON.COM FOR THE COMPLETE DOCKET 127THE JOURNEY FROM SEASHELLS TO GLOBAL ICONCOLLECTING SHELLSBack in the 1830s, people were all about bringing the beach vibes into their homes. Seashells were the ultimate décor trend, and folks couldn't get enough of them. Marcus Samuel, who was so taken by the beauty of shells at the beach, decided to expand his England-based antiques business by selling seashells from Asia. The demand for these beach treasures was so great that he began importing and exporting shells, which became the inspiration for one of the world’s leading oil and gas companies. Upon Marcus Samuel's passing in 1870, his business was bequeathed to his two sons, Marcus Samuel Junior and Samuel Samuel (yes, really!). Intrigued by oil exporting, they initiated the expansion of the enterprise by commissioning a fleet of steamers dedicated to transporting oil in bulk. The sale of kerosene, which was emerging as the predominant fuel, soon became the focal point of the business. In 1897, the company underwent some rebranding, adopting the name the Shell Transport and Trading Company. Later in 1907, the company merged with Royal Dutch to form the Royal Dutch Shell Group. The day the telegram was received announcing the merger – April 23 – is now celebrated by the company every year as Shell’s birthday. After the merger, the company embarked on a period of substantial expansion and innovation, swiftly earning the abbreviated name Shell. This era also presented numerous opportunities for Shell to showcase its products in the rapidly evolving petrol (gasoline) market. Notably, in 1907, Prince Scipione Borghese from Sulmona, a commune in Italy, secured victory in the Peking to Paris motor rally using Shell Spirit motor oil. Furthermore, Shell's technical collaboration with Ferrari in 1949 marked a significant milestone as the team clinched victory in the Le Mans 24-hour race for the first time as a manufacturer. Highlighting the efficacy of Shell products, John Surtees achieved the remarkable feat of winning world championships on both two wheels and four in 1964.Similar to the Texaco star, Mobil Oil's Pegasus and Sinclair's dinosaur, Shell's iconic scallop shell logo, characterized by its vibrant yellow and red colors, holds a prominent place not just as one of the world's most universally recognized symbols, but also as an enduring emblem of our motoring history. Interestingly, the origins of the Shell logo can be traced back to a black and white mussel shell, which was first trademarked in 1900. Although the exact beginnings of the yellow and red color scheme are not clear, they have consistently defined Shell's brand identity since its inception. This includes Samuel Junior's strategic decision to use red to differentiate his kerosene cans from Standard Oil's blue during the intense competition of the late 19th century. The inspiration drawn from seashells extends beyond just the logo for Shell; it has also influenced the naming of its products. Take, for instance, the Helix Ultra car oil range, named after the Helix Lucorum shell. Additionally, Marine life’s Microgaza Rotella and Rimula Marei Opposite page: 1930s Shell Oil Neon Porcelain Sign - $69,000. Above: 1930s Shell Gasoline Porcelain Pump Plate Sign- $4,025.