I copied this photo from an Accession at The Henry Ford last spring. It was a place setting at a dinner held in 1923, and included this photograph with Henry Ford driving a Model K. The passengers are identified and it was the place setting card at a dinner held in 1923.
Someone has written "1910" on the card. Initially I dismissed it as a mistake. Someone mis-identifying the year the photo was taken.
However, it appears that Henry Ford may be a little more "mature" than the 1906/1908 photographs I've seen before. I believe the store front is the window of the Ford New York Branch. The car behind this "K" may be a Model K too, so this may be a wild goose chase. If anyone is able to help date the photo I'd be grateful.
I've been curious "when did Henry Ford quit driving or riding in a Model K?" We have numerous photos and stories of him using the Model K. I initially assumed as of October 1908 he would have stopped using the six cylinder touring car and drive a Model T exclusively. However new information has shown he was still preparing and entering his six cylinder racer in events as late as the summer of 1909, so maybe he was still using the big touring car on some occasions?
Thanks,
Rob
Rob, is it possible to determine the year of the vehicle in the window of the Ford dealership?
Whew, I almost said it may be a Ford. Talk about a keen sense for the obvious. :~)
Mike,
It looks as if the "mystery" is solved. I googled Elwood Rice and Henry Ford, and found this photo identified as 1907:
Enough fun for tonight.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Rob
Luke Dahlinger may be able to help you date the Model K photo. He may know what Ford was doing on New York at various times based on the reading and research he has done.
There is this photo of Henry Ford sitting in a non-production automobile in front of the same dealership in New York. However, he is wearing clothing appropriate for warmer weather. I believe the automobile in the photo constructed for the Selden patent infringement trial for the appeal that was filed by Henry Ford.
There is a photo of Henry Ford sitting in the 1896 Quadricycle taken in New York on Broadway that is also dated 1910 by the Henry Ford Museum. He is wearing similar garb to the Model K photo. It was probably taken the same day. It's possible that Henry was back in New York in late 1910 due to something related to the appeal that Ford subsequently won in early 1911.
Ohio Society of New York was founded in 1885. Probably had their first banquet in 1886. Thirty seven years later would be 1923 and that fits with the 1923 written on the card. It also states that the photo is more than 10 years old, so that gets you back to 1913.
The records of the society are in Columbus Ohio at the Historical Society. Anyone in Ohio want to do a little research? Might be able to pinpoint the date of the 'Motor Trip'.
Erik and Dave,
Thanks for the ideas. I thought maybe the "1910" might be correct. I also thought the Ford in the window was a reflection of the "K" behind the one pictured. However, after poking more closely the car in the window is "inside". It is also a K Roadster with top and windshield.
So there three Model Ks in the pic. The K Roadster came out in the spring of 1907 so I suspect it is a 1907 photo.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Rob
If the K Roadster is inside the window, how do you explain the stone store front (which fades away toward the bottom) and the awnings? I think they and the Roadster are reflections.
Also note that the store front stonework is reflected in the "Ford" window above.
Also look at the reflections in Erik's pictures. OK, I'll quit now.
Mike ,
I'm confused (no surprise). I think your right. I thought the window frame wouldn't show, but of course it doesn't reflect(duh).
Thanks,
Rob
The photo of Henry Ford in the non-production Lenoir engine car in front of the Ford dealership is most likely from 1907 and related to the Selden trial. Refer to this 1907 article in Motor Way. (Hope the link works.)
http://books.google.com/books?id=w0YfAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA6-PA36&lpg=RA6-PA36&dq=henry+ ford+lenoir&source=bl&ots=_EXk6P9Iz1&sig=QC484Kcd5npziE3vLqEXOo0D5fs&hl=en&sa=X& ei=fH-XUtvcH4j1oATni4KIDw&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=henry%20ford%20lenoir&f=fa lse
The other photos may also be from 1907 when Henry Ford was in New York perhaps due to the Selden trial. He did testify at the trial - someone who is knowledgeable could provide the dates.