More than 50 original photographs focused on merchandising displays and organization in Shell-branded service stations circa-1945 and 1946. The locations seem to all be Michigan and the images, along with their brief typed descriptions, focus on before-and-after views of retail presentation, storage rooms, work bays, window displays, lighting and signage, etc... demonstrating various shelving systems and the potential benefits of organization and conformity to sales. 

The captions often explicitly identify "postwar" views, indeed the term seems to be the focus of the untitled grouping. The first prints in the series are dated September 25, 1945, mere weeks after the Japanese surrender, providing an exceptionally early use of the term which came to define the boom in so many things American in the ensuing decades, particularly the automobile and its infrastructure. 

These were acquired by us loosely fit into a barely serviceable, plain commercial album where we suspect they were assembled as a sales or training aid. Their original order has been maintained and the album can be included if desired. Prints bear the stamping of six different Michigan photographers from Detroit, Royal Oak, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Allegan. 

A rich photographic glimpse at the postwar nascence of corporate modernization in the design of the American gasoline station.

[Photography] : [Petroliana] : [Service Stations]. [Photographs of Postwar Design in Shell Service Stations]. Michigan, U.S.A.: (1945-1946). 52 black and white photographs. Loose. Each single weight, bordered prints, approximately 8" x 10." About half with ink stamping to versos. Most with a typed paper label mounted to upper margins of image side. Mild to moderate curling to most, otherwise well preserved and about very good. Additional images available to view upon request.