The first alphabet Ford collection? 1904 - 1910

[Rob]

Edward J. Du Mee was a wealthy cotton merchant in Philadelphia at the turn of the last century.

The du Mee’s, as other wealthy Philadelphians, had a full compliment of in home domestic staff, and apparently had difficulty retaining help:

Mr. du Mee, in addition to owning as successful business, enjoyed yachting and speedboating in the summer, and owned one of the fastest speed boats in the U.S.:

Edward was also a devout Catholic and the family was involved with several church charities. In 1911 he was honored with the highest Catholic layperson title given by the church, according to this excerpt from Wikipedia:

And in early 1904, Mr. Du Mee needed to build an “automobile house:”

Next, a fast forward to 1907.

[Rob]

On to 1907. This is where I came across du Mee, while searching “Ford six cylinder.” As of September, 1907, E. J. DuMee and wife are touring through New York State and Pennsylvania:

And we learn they are touring with their “Ford six cylinder;”

We also learn Mr DuMee has owned the one of the first of five Ford models as they came on the market. I presume those were models A, B, C, F and K.


Next, “while the cat’s away, the mice will play.”

[Rob]

As it turns out, while the Du Mee’s were away from Philadelphia, they had “guests” in August and September of 1907. You just can’t make this stuff up.............

part 1:

Part 2, Edward DuMee returns home, and catches the thieves “in the act:”

The final act:

Nest, what’s a man with the alphabet Ford’s do? Take one to Europe.

[Rob]

In June of 1908, Edward DuMee’s Model K joins 81 other vehicles giving rides on Orphans Day in Philadelphia. The other Ford is a six cylinder donated by L. C. Block, the Ford Philadelphia branch manager. Packards far and away lead in numbers:

Then, in mid and late summer, the DuMee’s tour parts of Europe with their Ford Model S Roadster:

Next, 1909 and one more model of Ford for the Du Mee garage.

[Walter Higgins]

As it turns out, while the Du Mee’s were away from Philadelphia, they had “guests” in August and September of 1907. You just can’t make this stuff up.............

Hey man, everyone knows you don't leave your crib unattended in Overbrook!

[DHort]

Can you imagine touring Europe in a Model S roadster? That must have been quite a trip and a bit cozy at times.

Walter, I did a little tour of Overbrook, thanks to Mr Google. Appears his house is no longer there.

Thanks Rob. Keep up the good work.

[Rob]

Walter, that’s why I don’t leave on extended trips abroad.......

Dave, I couldn’t find their home either. It appears the street numbering system may have changed in that part of town, or the area may now be Overbrook Park?

However, in 1910, the duMee’s Bought a new house:

And of course, as with their last residence, they needed a garage:

The $30,000 cost is equivalent to about $750,000:

Interestingly, there were at least two other reports of wealthy folks from the U.S. shipping their Model S Roadsters to Europe for touring in 1908. Below is another example of a fellow who could afford cars other than Fords doing the same:

Next, T time.

[Rob]

Edward DuMee purchases one of the first Model T, according to this article, making his 8th Ford model purchase. He may have been the first “alphabet Ford” owner, long before collectors would do the same:

The next record I found of E. J. DuMee and automobiles came in 1917, when he registered three cars. My suspicion is that by then, they were other than Fords.

Mr. DuMee passed in 1928 at 57 years of age:

[Walter Higgins]

Not to distract from the Ford talk, but I suspect that 62nd. St. house number matches up to today. I think a lot of those older neighborhoods got plowed under around WW II when so many row homes were being built. It doesn't seem like it to us now, but even back then that would have been an "older" neighborhood that the city swallowed up. As is the trend, the original occupants move out as things encroach on them and the older houses are too big for your average blue collar worker to heat. The "new" house on Overbrook Ave. is more Main Line and desirable.

Philadelphia is still loaded with neat old places. In all fairness, Overbrook is not the worst. Last summer I was in Frankford to pick up some things and that can get interesting. Its a shame because places like that still have a lot of industrial buildings of the era being discussed and the former homes of industrialists, but it's such a wasteland now and unlikely anyone will invest in bringing it back to its former glory. It makes you wonder what's still hiding in some of those places.

[Kaiser]

Rob, the stuff you come up with keeps amazing me great story !

[Rob]

Leo, my pleasure as always, thank you.

Walter, interesting information. The second home still looks very nice, and one site had a value of about 500K on it (2010 value). It’s often interesting to see where the people who owned our cars lived, and imagine the owners, cars and homes as they appeared “in the day.”

[Duey_C]

Not a jest: I'll bet E J liked the cool breezes coming off the big lake up in Duluth. I hope he enjoyed his stay in northern Minnesota.
I imagine Mr DuMee saw Chester and Clara Congdon's Glensheen Manor nearing completion! Pretty neat.
The jest: Jeez, the hired man did a fine job of keeping an eye on the home property huh? Sheesh.
Very interesting Rob! Thank you, that was fun!