Barnum & Bailey Circus Poster with Illustration of Duryea Motor Wagon, 1896

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Artifact Overview

Early on, automobiles were more curiosities than practical transportation. This print shows an original Duryea displayed by the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Duryea Motor Wagon Company was formed in 1895 as the first American company to try to make a business of building and selling gasoline-powered automobiles.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

1896

Creator Notes

-

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

92.1.1774.P.CO.718

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of the Family of Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Material

Cardboard
Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 8 in
Width: 10.5 in

Inscriptions

Banner of poster shows bust portraits of Barnum & Bailey and reads: THE BARNUM & BAILEY GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH [continued on lower left corner:] THE FAMOUS DURYEA MOTOR-WAGON, OR MOTORCYCLE. THE IDENTICAL HORSELESS CARRIAGE THAT WON THE GREAT RACE IN CHICAGO LAST NOVEMBER. TO BE SEEN EVERY DAY IN THE NEW STREET PARADE. On back, stamped in blue ink with hand-writing in Henry Austin Clark, Jr.'s hand: FILE No. Co 718. 1896 Duryea Poster.
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