T. J. Kirkpatrick, President of the League of American Wheelmen, with Velocipede, circa 1889

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Artifact Overview

Thomas J. Kirkpatrick of Springfield, Ohio, was elected president of the League of American Wheelmen (LAW) in 1887 and 1888. LAW promoted the benefits of cycling and advocated for the creation of better roads. Kirkpatrick would go on to patent a bicycle saddle in the late 1890s.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

circa 1885

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

86.18.44.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cardboard
Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process
Mounting
Toning (Photography)

Color

Brown
Sepia (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 8.5 in
Width: 5.25 in

Inscriptions

Typewritten on label on front: PRESIDENT. T.J. Kirkpatrick, Springfield, Ohio. / J. KIRKPATRICK. SPRINGFIELD, OHIO [cut off] Handwritten in ink on back: Prominent L.A.W. / official in the 1880's / also inventor Stamp on back: ABBOT BASSETT, SECRETARY, L.A.W. / 221 COLUMBUS AVE., BOSTON, MASS.
T. J. Kirkpatrick, President of the League of American Wheelmen, with Velocipede, circa 1889