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Salesman's Fordson Tractor Photograph Album
MC309  
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  • Access
  • Processing Information
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Preferred Citation

  • Language of Material: English
    Contributing Institution: University of California, Davis Library, University Archives
    Title: Salesman's Fordson Tractor Photograph Album
    Creator: Tractor Sales Co. (Cleveland, Ohio)
    Identifier/Call Number: MC309
    Physical Description: 1 volume Black cloth album with "Tractor Sales Co. 6510 Euclid Ave." stamped on the cover. Twelve captioned original photographs. Eleven are 7.5 x 9.25 inches and linen-backed; the first image measures 4 x 8.5 inches and was evidently added after the rest of the album was assembled. 7 x 11 inches
    Date: circa 1918
    Abstract: Salesman's promotional photograph album showcasing Fordson tractors.
    Physical Location: Researchers should contact Archives and Special Collections to request collections, as many are stored offsite.

    Scope and Contents

    Salesman's promotional photograph album showcasing Fordson tractors. The images show Fordson tractors in use by different Cleveland companies and were presumably used by salesmen as a marketing tool. Manufactured by Henry Ford & Son from 1917-1920 and later by the Ford Motor Company, "the Fordson was for tractors somewhat like the Ford Model T was for automobiles - it captured the public's imagination and widely popularized the machine, with a reliable design, a low price affordable for workers and farmers, a widespread dealership network, and a production capacity for large numbers. Just as the Model T helped the public to appreciate how soon cars and trucks might replace most horses in transport, the Fordson helped people to appreciate how soon tractors might replace most horses in farming" (Wikipedia). And, in fact, two of the captions in this album specifically note that the Fordson used by Eberhard Manufacturing is "replacing teams" (of horses). Ironically, Eberhard was a manufacturer of carriage and wagon hardware. Other images show Fordsons with various attachments being used for in the leveling and grading of Cleveland's U.S. Air Mail Field, in sewer construction, handling ore for a chemical Company, hauling a tank car, pulling a trailer for a lumber company, and even being used by the service department of Tractor Sales Company itself -- to move other tractors, of course.
    [Description provided by Walkabout Books]

    Access

    Collection is open for research.

    Processing Information

    Liz Phillips created this finding aid with information supplied by Walkabout Books.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    Purchased from Walkabout Books, 2020.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item], Salesman's Fordson Tractor Photograph Album, MC309, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, University of California, Davis.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Fordson tractors -- Pictorial works
    Agricultural machinery industry -- History