MTFCA Forum

Over the past several days there has been a nearby estate sale for a gentleman who was a long time insurance agent and 1922 Model T runabout owner. There was a variety of antique car wall memorabilia and awards given to insurance people. I bought this bronze plaque celebrating 60 years of State Farm auto insurance from 1922-1982 to use as garage wall decoration. Yesterday my wife and I went back for her to look around and noticed this picture hanging on the wall, which was the inspiration for the plaque. I decided that it was too cool to pass up so I bought it to go along with the plaque.

At first I thought the plaque looked a bit funny because I had never seen a weather guard for the windshield. Upon looking at the picture after I got it, I see that the top half of windshield is not folded down but missing. Does anyone know if Ford or someone made front weather shields like on this car, or was it likely made to deal with the missing top half of the windshield? I know the early cars came with side weather shields, but don't recall seeing pictures of them for the windshield like this.

It is not a windshield weather guard. 1909 and possibly 1910 model year T's did not come standard with a top or windshield. Some tops had an integral roll up windscreen curtain attached in case there was no windshield, but if a windshield was also installed then there could be both.

Humblej wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 17, 2024 2:31 pm

It is not a windshield weather guard. 1909 and possibly 1910 model year T's did not come standard with a top or windshield. Some tops had an integral roll up windscreen curtain attached in case there was no windshield, but if a windshield was also installed then there could be both.

The car in the picture does appear to be a 09/10 based on where the front bow attaches. It also has a two piece firewall with the lower portion of the windshield attached. I zoomed in on the picture and circled the attach fitting for the missing upper windshield.

Got curious about the plaque & photo. What I found is some good information to establish some provenance of the items you have.

Three of the plaques sold on eBay in the last year from different cities. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R ... Complete=1
One of the listings indicated it is a 60th anniversary plaque (haven't confirmed that but 99% likely) so its not some sort of repro item made of cast iron --
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The photo in the frame is used on other State Farm site . It is a picture of the founder of State Farm G.J. Mecherle
https://goodneighborcenter.statefarm.com/ --
This was on Facebook from a State Farm site
"State Farm Insurance - Les Veach
Throwback Thursday! G.J. Mecherle, a retired farmer, who founded State Farm in 1922 with the first office and now headquarters in Bloomington, IL. --
--
There appears to be many more item shttps://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trks ... e&_sacat=0
This confirms his is the founder "RARE Vintage 4" State Farm G.J. Mecherle (Founder) & Edward B. Rust (1918-1985) Keychain. Great addition to your collection - this may have been created and distributed to commemorate the passing of the company's CEO, Rust. in August 1985 or Merherle in 1951 --
The description says that it was given to employees on the 1st anniversary back in 1990is confirms he is the founder

TRDxB2 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 17, 2024 3:46 pm

Got curious about the plaque & photo. What I found is some good information to establish some provenance of the items you have.

Thanks for the info. At least I now know who the guy is in the photo and on the plaque! The gentleman for whom the estate sale was for appeared to work in the Bloomington home office, based on some of the other stuff for sale. The framed picture looks at least 40 years old and was framed by a Bloomington, IL shop. Anyway, the plaque was less than eBay prices and it makes nice garage wall decoration that I now have the back story for.

NealW wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 17, 2024 4:10 pm

TRDxB2 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 17, 2024 3:46 pm

Got curious about the plaque & photo. What I found is some good information to establish some provenance of the items you have.

Thanks for the info. At least I now know who the guy is in the photo and on the plaque! The gentleman for whom the estate sale was for appeared to work in the Bloomington home office, based on some of the other stuff for sale. The framed picture looks at least 40 years old and was framed by a Bloomington, IL shop. Anyway, the plaque was less than eBay prices and it makes nice garage wall decoration that I now have the back story for.

Your photo could be worth more than you think if its an original. It may have been given with the plaque. I was not able to find a photo other than the one on Facebook posted by a StateFarm agent

Humblej wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 17, 2024 2:31 pm

It is not a windshield weather guard. 1909 and possibly 1910 model year T's did not come standard with a top or windshield. Some tops had an integral roll up windscreen curtain attached in case there was no windshield, but if a windshield was also installed then there could be both.

1909s and up to early 1910s could have both the windshield and the roll down windscreen curtain as you posted.

Here is an example