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- Thomas Flyer Boarding Ferry near Stretensk, Between Manchuria and Mongolia, New York to Paris Race, 1908 - In February 1908, six automobiles began an around-the-world race from New York City to Paris, France. The contest took 169 days, covered 22,000 miles and spanned three continents. In May, the three remaining teams left Vladivostok, Russia, heading west. Each team would have to navigate around, over or through any lake, river or stream blocking their progress.

- 1908
- Collections - Artifact
Thomas Flyer Boarding Ferry near Stretensk, Between Manchuria and Mongolia, New York to Paris Race, 1908
In February 1908, six automobiles began an around-the-world race from New York City to Paris, France. The contest took 169 days, covered 22,000 miles and spanned three continents. In May, the three remaining teams left Vladivostok, Russia, heading west. Each team would have to navigate around, over or through any lake, river or stream blocking their progress.
- Team of Oxen with Thomas Flyer in Manchuria, New York to Paris Race, 1908 - In February 1908, six automobiles began an around-the-world race from New York City to Paris, France. The contest took 169 days, covered 22,000 miles and spanned three continents. In May, the three remaining teams left Vladivostok, Russia. For the next two to three months the teams made their way west across the Russian countryside.

- 1908
- Collections - Artifact
Team of Oxen with Thomas Flyer in Manchuria, New York to Paris Race, 1908
In February 1908, six automobiles began an around-the-world race from New York City to Paris, France. The contest took 169 days, covered 22,000 miles and spanned three continents. In May, the three remaining teams left Vladivostok, Russia. For the next two to three months the teams made their way west across the Russian countryside.
- "Rand McNally Standard Map of China and Japan," 1930-1932 - Ford Motor Company operated sales and service branches in cities around the world. The company considered building an assembly plant in Shanghai, China. This map was collected during the study. Ford decided against the idea when it learned that Chinese law required the property to be owned by a citizen of China.

- 1930-1932
- Collections - Artifact
"Rand McNally Standard Map of China and Japan," 1930-1932
Ford Motor Company operated sales and service branches in cities around the world. The company considered building an assembly plant in Shanghai, China. This map was collected during the study. Ford decided against the idea when it learned that Chinese law required the property to be owned by a citizen of China.
- Selling Prices for Ford Model T Cars and How They Are Arrived at in Shanghai, China, 1915-1916 Season - Though it operated some direct-sales offices in major cities, Ford Motor Company sold most of its Model T cars through franchise agreements with independent dealers. Each franchisee received the right to sell Ford cars within a specific territory. Ford encouraged dealers by offering discounts and rebates to high sellers. But low-selling dealers risked losing their territories.

- 1915-1916
- Collections - Artifact
Selling Prices for Ford Model T Cars and How They Are Arrived at in Shanghai, China, 1915-1916 Season
Though it operated some direct-sales offices in major cities, Ford Motor Company sold most of its Model T cars through franchise agreements with independent dealers. Each franchisee received the right to sell Ford cars within a specific territory. Ford encouraged dealers by offering discounts and rebates to high sellers. But low-selling dealers risked losing their territories.
- Map, "Greater Shanghai Approximate Market Value Zones," June 1929 - Ford Motor Company operated sales and service branches in cities around the world. The company considered building an assembly plant in Shanghai, China. This map was collected during the study. Ford decided against the idea when it learned that Chinese law required the property to be owned by a citizen of China.

- June 01, 1929
- Collections - Artifact
Map, "Greater Shanghai Approximate Market Value Zones," June 1929
Ford Motor Company operated sales and service branches in cities around the world. The company considered building an assembly plant in Shanghai, China. This map was collected during the study. Ford decided against the idea when it learned that Chinese law required the property to be owned by a citizen of China.
- Howard Johnson's Plates, 1951-1954 - In the 1920s, Howard Deering Johnson began selling ice cream from food stands around Boston, Massachusetts. Johnson later expanded his business to full-service restaurants. He franchised these orange-roofed establishments across America, locating them along highways to cater to the traveling public. This plate celebrates America's growth with idyllic scenes on the rim, including one of a Howard Johnson's restaurant.

- 1951-1954
- Collections - Artifact
Howard Johnson's Plates, 1951-1954
In the 1920s, Howard Deering Johnson began selling ice cream from food stands around Boston, Massachusetts. Johnson later expanded his business to full-service restaurants. He franchised these orange-roofed establishments across America, locating them along highways to cater to the traveling public. This plate celebrates America's growth with idyllic scenes on the rim, including one of a Howard Johnson's restaurant.
- Paint Pattern Practice Plate, Painted by Helen Gardner, 1911 - China painting was an important pastime for many American women. They painted over the glaze of fired, undecorated pieces of white porcelain called "blanks." In preparation for her 1912 wedding to Leon Gardner, recent college graduate Helen Marie Eichele purchased a set of blank china and decorated it with the help of some friends. This plate features one of the patterns she practiced.

- 1911
- Collections - Artifact
Paint Pattern Practice Plate, Painted by Helen Gardner, 1911
China painting was an important pastime for many American women. They painted over the glaze of fired, undecorated pieces of white porcelain called "blanks." In preparation for her 1912 wedding to Leon Gardner, recent college graduate Helen Marie Eichele purchased a set of blank china and decorated it with the help of some friends. This plate features one of the patterns she practiced.
- QSL Card from VS6AC (Hong Kong, China) to W6DQZ (Hamid Durmisevich, Los Angeles, California), October 3, 1957 - It was customary for ham radio operators (hams) to exchange these "QSL cards" with one another through the mail after their first conversation. Long-time hams amassed collections of thousands of cards, some from far-flung places. There is a story embedded in each example: the ham's call sign dominates the design, with additional details about location, reception reports, and weather conditions.

- October 03, 1957
- Collections - Artifact
QSL Card from VS6AC (Hong Kong, China) to W6DQZ (Hamid Durmisevich, Los Angeles, California), October 3, 1957
It was customary for ham radio operators (hams) to exchange these "QSL cards" with one another through the mail after their first conversation. Long-time hams amassed collections of thousands of cards, some from far-flung places. There is a story embedded in each example: the ham's call sign dominates the design, with additional details about location, reception reports, and weather conditions.
- Howard Johnson's "Simple Simon and the Pieman" Dinner Plates, 1963 - In the 1920s, Howard Deering Johnson began selling ice cream from food stands around Boston, Massachusetts. Johnson later expanded his business to full-service restaurants. He franchised these orange-roofed establishments across America -- locating them along highways to cater to the traveling public. The Simple Simon and the Pieman logo -- seen on this plate -- became a recognizable symbol to his motoring patrons.

- 1963
- Collections - Artifact
Howard Johnson's "Simple Simon and the Pieman" Dinner Plates, 1963
In the 1920s, Howard Deering Johnson began selling ice cream from food stands around Boston, Massachusetts. Johnson later expanded his business to full-service restaurants. He franchised these orange-roofed establishments across America -- locating them along highways to cater to the traveling public. The Simple Simon and the Pieman logo -- seen on this plate -- became a recognizable symbol to his motoring patrons.
- Trade Card for Ariosa Coffee, Arbuckle Bros., "Pekin, China," 1891 - As color printing gained momentum in the late 19th century, trade cards were a major means of advertising goods and services. Americans enjoyed and often saved the vibrant little advertisements found in product packages or distributed by local merchants. This trade card for Arbuckle Bros. Coffee Company provides information about its Ariosa coffee and features a colorful image from a series depicting places around the world.

- 1891
- Collections - Artifact
Trade Card for Ariosa Coffee, Arbuckle Bros., "Pekin, China," 1891
As color printing gained momentum in the late 19th century, trade cards were a major means of advertising goods and services. Americans enjoyed and often saved the vibrant little advertisements found in product packages or distributed by local merchants. This trade card for Arbuckle Bros. Coffee Company provides information about its Ariosa coffee and features a colorful image from a series depicting places around the world.