Locomobile Advertising 1899 - 1900
Locomobile 1899 – 1929
1. Locomobile Company of America, Westboro, MA 1899 – 1900
2. Locomobile Company of America, Bridgeport, CT 1900 – 1929
Locomobile was one of the two companies which resulted from the purchase of the Stanley Brothers’ steam-car design rights in 1899 by A. L. Barber and J. B. Walker. Walker separated from Barber and formed the Mobile concern, while his former partner did good business with the little Locomobile steam runabout. This consisted of a welded “bicycle” framework, a carriage body, a twin-cylinder simple engine, and a 14-inch boiler under the driver’s seat. It was tiller-steered and chain driven and at $600 it looked a better bargain that it was, suffering from the crudest of lubrication arrangements and astronomical water consumption; the boiler had to be refilled every 20 miles! In spite of this in 1901 the four-story Locomobile factory was said to be the biggest of its kind in the world. The steamers survived until 1903, with the bigger boilers, culminating in the 10 hp wheel-steered dos-a-dos which sold for $1,600.
Locomobile sold their steam-car frights back to the Stanleys, but in the meantime, A. L. Riker had designed a gasoline car on Panhard lines, with a 4-cylinder engine, automatic inlet valves , and pressed-steel frame.[1]
[1] Georgano, G. N., Encyclopedia of American Automobile, (New York, E. P. Dutton & Co., 1968), p. 119-120.
1899
This very early Locomobile advertisement promotes the "Stanley Stanhope," and describes the "Stanley Locomobile." It appeared in Harper's Magazine in 1899, month unknown. p. 36.
This Locomobile advertisement appeared in Scribner's Magazine in April, 1899. The month is unknown. p. 69.
This Locomobile advertisement appeared in Scribner's Magazine in 1899. The month is unknown. page 97.
1900
This Locomobile advertisement appeared on page 16 of an unidentified publication, probably a program for some event. Someone wrote 1900 in the lower left corner, hence the date.
This Locomobile advertisement appeared in Scribner's Magazine in 1900. The month is unknown. page 99.
This Locomobile advertisement appeared in Harper's Magazine in February 1900, p. 49.
This Locomobile advertisement appeared in McClure's Magazine in June 1900, p. unknown.
This Locomobile advertisement appeared in Harper's Magazine ca: 1900. It is undated. p. 95.
This Locomobile advertisement lists the company's "Branches and Salesrooms" as well as "Storage Stations and Places where Locomobiles Can be Cared for and Repaired. Cosmopolitan Magazine, September 1900, no page number.
This Locomobile advertisement appeared in Cosmopolitan Magazine in October, 1900, no page number.
© Donald R. Hoke 2007All Rights Reserved.