Portrait of Colonel Albert A. Pope, circa 1883

01

Artifact Overview

Albert Pope began manufacturing bicycles after seeing a high-wheel ordinary at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. In 1877, he formed Pope Manufacturing Company and churned out thousands of bicycles each year. The Civil-War-officer-turned-entrepreneur also helped sponsor the League of American Wheelmen to advocate for good roads -- something every cyclist (and bicycle maker) desired.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Cabinet photograph

Subject Date

circa 1883

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

86.18.14.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cardboard
Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Mounting

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 4.125 in
Width: 3.875 in

Inscriptions

front: Col A A Pope verso: Taken about 1883 pioneer manufacturer of bicycles in America Pope Mfg. Co. stamped, verso: Abbot Bassett, Secretary. L.A.W. 221 Columbus Av . . .
Portrait of Colonel Albert A. Pope, circa 1883