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Edsel Ford Automotive Scrapbook Series

Edsel Ford was a connoisseur of fine art and antiques, and a designer of considerable talent. His interest in automobiles and design is expressed through the scrapbook, which holds magazine and catalog clippings of fine cars (mostly European), illustrations and snapshots of English custom bodies on the Model T chassis, and pictures of early racing cars.
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Archival Collection Overview

Historical Note

Edsel Bryant Ford was born November 6, 1893 in Detroit, Michigan, the only child of Henry and Clara Bryant Ford. Educated in public schools and the Detroit University School, he was persuaded by his father when he graduated from high school in 1912 to assume responsibilities at the company's new Highland Park Plant rather than going on to college. Edsel was elected secretary of the company on November 1, 1915, and vice-president as well as secretary on January 18, 1917. On December 30, 1918, ...

Scope and Content Note

Although there is no documentation for when the scrapbook was created, it is presumed from the illustrations contained that it was between 1911 and 1925. The pages hold magazine and catalog clippings of fine cars (mostly European), illustrations and snapshots of English custom bodies on the Model T chassis, and pictures of early racing cars. Most of the first entries are from about 1913, when Edsel was age 19 or 20. In 1919, when he became president of Ford Motor Company, additions to the scrapb...

Collection Details

Object ID

64.167.660.0

Inclusive Dates

1911-1925

Size

0.4 cubic ft. (1 box)

Language

English

Item Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Access Restrictions

The materials are open for research.

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Digitized Artifacts From This Collection

Scrapbook by Edsel Ford on Automobile Design, 1911-1925

Scrapbook by Edsel Ford on Automobile Design, 1911-1925

Edsel Ford Automotive Scrapbook Series