Letter from the John Stephenson Company, 1871

01

Artifact Overview

A letter, written on behalf of John Stephenson in 1871, asks photographer J.H. Beal to photograph a "new 'city' car" "as soon as possible." In 1833, Stephenson invented and patented the first streetcar to run on rails in the United States. The stationery includes an engraving of one of John Stephenson's streetcars.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Letter (Correspondence)

Date Made

22 March 1871

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

82.129.826

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Handwriting

Dimensions

Height: 7.938 in
Width: 4.813 in

Inscriptions

March 22nd 1871 / J.H. Beal Esq. / Dear Sir. / Please come up as soon as possible to photograph / a "City" car, and oblige / Yours truly / John Stephenson...[illegible]. / [illegible] Verso: Museum of Science and Industry (Founded by Julius Rosenwald) Chicago, Illinois