Powerized Gasoline - Art by Joe De Yong 1916 Map of Montana AP1353
A wonderful artifact. Super-lively illustration by Joe De Young. Produced as advertising for the Sunburst Refining Company. Pioneering automotive stuff. America wanted wheels. Color lithograph.
Measures 19" x 22", frame 22 3/4" x 25 3/4".
Joe De Yong (1894-1975) was an American sculptor, etcher, and historical consultant for Western movies. His sculptures and etchings depicted the Old West, including Native Americans and cowboys, as well as polo players.
De Yong began his career by working on Western movies in Hollywood alongside silent actor Tom Mix. From 1916 to 1926, he worked for Western artist Charles M. Russell in Montana and California. He also worked on Howard Eaton's ranch in Wyoming.
De Yong subsequently moved to Santa Barbara, California, where he worked alongside Edward Borein and Maynard Dixon. He was the official artist of the rancheros visitadores, an equestrian social club in Santa Barbara.
De Yong returned to the movie industry as a costume designer and historical consultant in the 1930s-1950s. He worked on The Plainsman in 1937, Union Pacific in 1939, Buffalo Bill in 1944, Red River in 1948, and Shane 1953.
In North Central Montana, the Kevin-Sunburst field, home to the famous Fulton-Rice pool, ranked first in Montana crude oil production for several years, until it was surpassed by production of the Cut Bank field in the early 1930’s. Refineries were constructed, including the Kevtana refinery (which later became Big West). It operated for nearly 50 years, a decade less than International Refining (eventually Texaco) in the same area.
In 1923, the Sunburst refinery was built in Great Falls. Within three years, it had a total daily refining capacity of 3,000/bbl, and sat on a lot 22-acres large – making it Montana’s largest refinery.
