Selden Patent Sign, 1895-1912
01
Artifact Overview
George Selden received a patent for an internal combustion automobile in 1895. Those patent rights were enforced by the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers. Automakers certified by ALAM paid royalties to the group, and retailers of ALAM-authorized cars displayed signs like this. ALAM was dissolved after losing a lengthy legal battle against Henry Ford in 1911.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Sign (Declaratory or advertising artifact)
Date Made
1895-1912
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2017.0.34.223
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Cardboard
Paper (Fiber product)
Color
Blue
White (Color)
Gold (Color)
Dimensions
Height: undefined in
Width: undefined in
Length: undefined in
Inscriptions
on front:
CARS SOLD HERE ARE / LICENSED UNDER / SELDEN PATENT / LOOK FOR THIS / OFFICIAL LICENSE PLATE / LICENSED / UNDER / SELDEN / PATENT / NO 549,160. / PATENTED / NOVEMBER 5, 1895
stamped on back:
2283
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Related Content
SetExposed Collections—2017-2020 IMLS Grant Project
- 20 Artifacts
Drivers in the early 1900s attached headlights to their automobiles to help light their way at night. To use this "King of the Road" model, automobilists filled the chambers with calcium carbide and then added water creating acetylene gas. Igniting the gas burner produced a strong white light. The lamp's lens and parabolic reflector cast a broad beam lighting the road ahead.