Terry Bond

You're being rather nebulous with info. What kind of car? What country? How did you find it? Dealer or advertisement? And, how about some photos. Your answers will depend on detail. Terry

Thanks for the info. I've had the chance to buy a tin sign recently but the guy whose had it fir years thought it was 1930s, but the tire sure looked like 60s to me. Terry

This is an interesting piece from 1904. It's "Dedicated to the Oldsmobile Company." Pictured on the cover is a 1904 French front Oldsmobile.

The sky is falling.

Thanks to everyone for the input. I'm leaning g towards the 1919/20 date. Not sure how long after the end of WWi Studebaker might have started exporting cars as the European economy really suffered, although I'm sure many people there were hungry for new cars. I've seen the tile advertisement in Spain. It's a fantastic piece of artwork. Will try to post the music itself when I get a chance. Terry

While going through my inventory update project I began to wonder how many had "Chauffeur" in the title. Here are a few Terry

I have many fond memories of time spent wandering thru that amazing place. Got a few back room and shed/trailer tours too. He had semi trailers full of stuff including everything from an ancient Ford dealer - loads of NOS Model T stuff I really enjoyed digging thru his spark plug collection too. He had some on display and in the back, several 5 gal buckets full of them. He said everything came from within 50 miles of the place. Terry

What kind of a car is it?

A couple of other interesting pieces to enjoy. These are a bit later but still were printed at a time when people were making fun of the automobile and those crazy motorists. Enjoy. Terry

It's a 1928. The larger "cap" under the Indian's head differentiates it from later versions. Looks pretty good with the copper plating still intact on the Indian's face. The rest should be nickle plated. Like Walt said though, let's see more photos, especially good clear photos of the underside. Originals will be marked with info on the company that produced it - Ternstedt Mfg. Co. These were made of die-cast zinc (pot metal) and were very prone to cracking. Underneath, the threads on the cap itself may be nearly destroyed from actual use. Condition is everything and while it looks pretty good from your first photo, more detail will determine what the value might be. Sold prices on evil-bay could get you a ball-park guestimate but otherwise asking prices (as well as correct dating) are all over the place. My source for info is the book "Motoring Mascots of the World" by William C. Williams, pgs 64/65. Terry

You have my sympathy. Terry

I'm trying to establish a date for this great piece of automobile sheet music in my collection. It's of course a Studebaker and the music was printed in Barcelona Spain. There is no copyright of publishing date indicated on the music the car seems to be a 6-cyulinder and m guess is early 20's but can our Studebaker experts get any closer on that date? thanks, Terry

I'm thrilled with this recent discovery - another pre 1900 item! It's from France and was written to honor Gustave Rivas, Director General of the International Automobile Exposition in Paris in 1898. That event is recognized by many as the first automobile exposition in Paris, and one of the first in Europe. It was probably available for the first time at that event, then later sold in some shops in Paris. It's amazing it has survived in such great condition for that length of time. I'm in the process of revising my collection inventory and taking a closer look at some of the information printed on the music. Lots of history yet to come from these wonderful pieces of the past. Terry

It's going to be a great time! Terry

Thanks for the history. It's always great to see your posts with all the background info. Do you know when the brand name actually disappeared? Terry

If you plan to attend the AACA Annual Convention this coming February in Chantilly, Va, I'll be presenting two seminars. The first will be a look at some great early motoring artwork. "Art and the Automobile" will give you some idea of the history on early motoring objects in varied forms - ceramic, metalwork, prints and lithographs, and everyday objects with an early motoring theme. You'll be amazed at the variety of items that can be collected. This is true motoring history represented by the objects history has left behind. The second seminar 'The Incurable Collector" is probably best described as "group therapy" for serious collectors (or those who wish to be). We'll be looking at some early automobilia that you can collect without investing a fortune. We'll learn how to tell the real stuff from modern reproductions and I'll share some hints and tips on where and how to find some neat things. Wonder what to do with it all? We'll share some ideas on how to focus your collecting and display your stuff so you can better enjoy it. See you there. Terry

Bummer. Was looking forward to seeing you there Terry

A few more photos will help with dating it. I suspect it is a dashboard mounted clock. If the back is angled it will make it an earlier clock. These were inexpensive aftermarket items, popular in the 1919s. Terry

https://www.ihg.com/armyhotels/hotels/us/en/carlisle/zyjia/hoteldetail Lots of info on their website and contact information so you can ask any questions. It's not free. Terry

Pontiac GTO.

Sometimes things slow down over the Christmas season.

Condition is everything and that one is pretty rough, but...it's still a nice wall hanger/decorator item and would look great on the wall of a den that was decorated resembling an old garage. I've got some of them and the stories about how they were recovered are often worth more then the object itself. Terry

What about those odd plugs with two connections? I'm often asked about them. First, here is a new addition to my collection. Brand name is PECO. It's nicely copper plated with blue porcelain insulator and connection for two wires. Next is a version of he same plug that was produced a couple of years later. These are known as a "series plug" made in the teens. They are intended to install wired in-series with another plug to provide a "dual-spark." These were often used in engines with bronze screw-in access ports. One port provided access to the intake valve, the other for the exhaust valve. One port usually held the spark plug, the other a priming or compression release valve. These plugs were used by sometimes just removing the priming or compression valve and tapping the remaining hole for the plug. The result-twin spark ignition. There is yet another version of these plugs that was intended to provide two sparks from a single plug. Looking at the ground electrode configuration you can see the difference. The other plugs with the white porcelain insulators are not branded but from early advertising they are believed to be SU-DIG. Some later versions were actually branded "Superior." There are a few other brands that were made over the years including those made by noted British plug manufacturer Lodge. Enjoy the pics. Terry

It's actually a bit later Eric. From the style of plug, I'd suggest 1930s, but pre-war most certainly. These signs usually had the sign company name printed on a lower edge (most often the right). That part is unfortunately pretty well rusted away. Looking at the edges of the sign and the way they are ramped, I'd say it's genuine. It appears to be heavier than today's reproductions. Terry

Thanks for doing this Peter. You've been great sorting things out and it's much appreciated, Terry