Hi: Several years ago I found a bunch of "Stolen Model T" postcards. They are all from the 1918 era. They were mailed to the chief of police in Sedalia Mo. They had been glued into some wallpaper sample books, and I was told they were left out so anyone could look thru them and maybe recognize a description of a stolen car. Thats how they did it in the old days before TV, computers, and other high tech ways we use today. I loaned these to the Model T club of America, and there was an article in one of the Vintage Ford mags years ago showing a few of them. They did not have room to print them all. I have about 80 of the cards. If there is enough interest I will post them all. It will take awhile. I have tried 3 cards, 2 cards, and 1 card. I think the best will be 2 cards per pic. I think it is real interesting to note that most of the cars are almost new, and that the descriptions of some of them sound like a worn out car. I thought it would be interesting to see if one of the cars shows up today. let me know if you think it will be worth posting all of them, and I will add some each night...
Heres a few of the cards
I think the 3 cards will be too small to read. The best is the 1 card per pic but it will take forever to post them. Is the medium size 2 cards OK to view or would it be best to just take awhile and do them 1 at a time. Im just trying to figure it out before I get serious about posting them...
I just noticed that one of the cards is of a "Vellie" I accidently had it with the Ford cards. It was also interesting to note that there were also other makes of cars in the wallpaper sample books with the Fords. The proportion of Model T Fords to "other makes" was about 75 to 80% Model Ts to all other makes combined.
A 15 year old stole his mothers car and they have time to print a card to help look for it? My, how times have changed. Not too many 15 year olds would try that now.
Thanks Donnie
It was a different time then. They were kids by our standards today, but back then 15 yrs old or younger already were working as men. I think Floyd Clymer had a Ford dealership before he was 15 yrs old. It was not uncommon in the south to be married by the time you were 15. a girl was considered to be of marrying age by 13. Some people call it "the good old days" some things were better, some things were worse, it defiantly was harder. But when you talk to people from back then, it is obvious we are living in the "good days" now....
The dates are interesting, because right after that period, states started issuing titles and that evidently cut down the number of stolen cars.
Virginia The Pioneer
Back in 1919 the State of Virginia enacted a law that required the recording by the proper authorities of automobile titles. In this respect the Old Dominion led the nation. But the 1919 law was by no means perfect, so that it became necessary in 1924 to repeal the old act and to pass what is known as the Uniform Certificate of Title Law. It is fashioned after that in use in Maryland and Michigan, the former State having adopted the law in 1920 and Michigan in 1921. In the same year that Michigan saw the necessity for such a law the Legislatures of Indiana and Missouri passed title laws. They were followed in 1922 by Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida. North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. The next and last State to pass the law was South Carolina, in 1924. Many of the legislatures in session this year are considering the Uniform Certificate of Title Law.
American Automobile Association officials, who have watched closely the operation of the law in the several States, are of the opinion that when the majority of the States have adopted a Uniform Certificate of Title Law the battle of years to stop automobile thefts will have been won. But even though several States now have the law functioning in excellent style, these commonwealths cannot expect complete success so long as there are States into which stolen cars may be driven and sold without difficulty.
Maryland, first to have a real title law, had just begun the issuing of titles for all cars owned in the State when Michigan enacted its law. The Wolverine State profited by any slight errors Maryland may have made and strengthened its law accordingly. The Michigan Act was drafted by Attorney Howard D. Brown, head of the Legal Department of the Detroit Automobile Club, and was introduced in the legislature by Senator George M. Condon, of Detroit. It bore the name of its sponsor and became known officially as the Condon Law. Through the efforts of Senator Condon among his colleagues, opposition to the title law was broken down and the act was passed on April 1, 1921. It became effective on July 1, 1921, and motorists of Michigan were given one year in which to comply with the law.
Noting that all the notices were from the '16-'18 time period, its no surprise that 80% of stolen cars were Model Ts because one ignition key - back then - would fit all. Neat collection . . and so many . . . thanks for sharing them
Very cool collection and interesting
Donnie B,
Thank you for sharing these. I have only seen a couple like these in all my poking around. They are very interesting!
I like to see the non-Ford cards also. That would be my vote.
Thanks again!
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2