Hagley Museum and Library: Z. Taylor Vinson collection of transportation ephemera, Series XVI. Pictorial - Automobiles (20100108.ZTV.XVI) -- Published Collections Department

Z. Taylor Vinson collection of transportation ephemera, Series XVI. Pictorial - Automobiles

Accession 20100108.ZTV.XVI

Published Collections Department, Hagley Museum and Library

PO Box 3630
Wilmington, Delaware, 19807
302-658-2400
research@hagley.org

Finding aid prepared by Emily Cottle, Laura Muskavitch, Robin Valencia, Nicole Watts, Kenton Jaehnig, Alison Kreitzer, Annalise Berdini, and Vicki Wasserman in 2013.,

This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2014-02-10T13:46-0500

Finding aid prepared using best local practices and Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Cite items for this collection in the following format:
[Description and dates], Box/folder number, Z. Taylor Vinson collection of transportation ephemera, Series XVI. Pictorial - Automobiles (Accession 20100108.ZTV.XVI), Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington, DE 19807

Descriptive Summary
Title:	Z. Taylor Vinson collection of transportation ephemera, Series XVI. Pictorial - Automobiles
Dates:	1895-2009, undated
Accession Number:	20100108.ZTV.XVI
Creator:	Vinson, Z. Taylor
Extent:	15 linear feet
Language of Material:	Materials are mostly in English, but also include a significant number of items in French and German. A handful of items in Spanish, Italian, Czech, Danish, Norwegian,Dutch, Hungarian, Chinese and Arabic are found in this series as well.
Repository:	Hagley Museum and Library: Published Collections Department
Abstract:	This series consists primarily of photographs and postcards of automobiles.

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Administrative Information

Provenance

Gift of the Z. Taylor Vinson Estate, 2010.

Processing Notes

The collection was processed with support from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives grant.

Use Restrictions

The collection is housed in off-site storage. Please allow 24 hours notice to view the materials. Advance notice is not required for books and periodicals.

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Biographical Note

For over sixty years, Zachary Taylor Vinson (1933-2009) amassed a large and comprehensive collection of printed material documenting on the history transportation, particularly automobiles.

Born and raised in West Virginia, Vinson was a 1955 graduate of Princeton University. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany, then moved to New York City to work in advertising until he graduated from the University of Virginia Law School in 1961. Vinson practiced law with O’Melveney & Meyers in Los Angeles, California and the International Finance Corporation in Washington, D.C. until 1967 when he began working as a senior lawyer with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a position he held until his retirement in 2003. Vinson played a significant role in the drafting of federal safety regulations governing tires and those requiring high-mounted brake lights in the rear window of automobiles, which began with the 1986 model year.

At the age of four, Vinson was introduced to automobile literature when he was given a 1938 Ford trade catalog. Vinson began attending automobile shows to actively collect by the time he turned seven. He would ask that his parents drive him to Huntington’s “Automobile Row,” where Vinson would collect literature from the dealerships located there. By the age of fourteen, Vinson was writing to the British, French, Italian, and Czech embassies in Washington, D.C. to request the addresses of automakers in those countries from whom he could obtain literature.

As he grew older, Vinson collected trade literature from additional sources, including, but not limited to, automobile manufacturers, fellow collectors, memorabilia dealers, auto shows, and auctions. He eventually amassed so much material that he built an addition to his Virginia home to store it all, which he referred to as his “Autotorium.”

In addition to collecting, Vinson was an active member of automobile organizations. He was president of the Society of Automotive Historians from 1993 to 1995 and served as the editor of Automotive History Review from 1995 to 2009. Z. Taylor Vinson passed away at the age of 76 on October 25, 2009.

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Scope and Content

Consists primarily of photographs and postcards, but also includes blueprints, business and promotional cards, greeting cards, photograph reproductions, prints, photocopies, and slides. Most of the items in the series regard specific automobiles and makes, but some items are more general advertisements for manufacturers or dealerships.

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Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by automobile make and thereunder, alphabetically by format type.

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Series Descriptions and Inventory


Abarth, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Abarth. Item is a black and white photo of an Abarth vehicle.
Box
16-1		Photographs, undated


AC Cars, 1973, undated
2 folders



This subseries documents AC Cars. The photographs consist of images of 1933, 1934, and 1935/1936 AC Aces, and one image of an unidentified AC model. The postcards include a sketch of 1936/1937 AC Drop Head Coupe, and images of a 1921 AC 11.9 hp, and a 1937 AC Ace.
Box
16-1		Photographs, undated
Box
16-1		Postcards, 1973, undated


Acura, 1987
1 folder



This subseries documents Acura. Item is a postcard from an Acura dealership with an image of an Acura Legend.
Box
16-1		Postcards, 1987


Adler, undated
2 folders



This subseries documents Adler. The photographs consist of 4 photographs, including those of an Adler 2.5 Ltr. Limousine, a 6 Zylinder 2.5 Litre Sport-Cabriolet, a Diplomat 3 Litre 6 Zylinder Pullman car and 4-Door sedan, and a 2.5 Liter Sedan Sport. The postcards include the image of a Samochod Adler Z 1902 R., and a reproduction of an Adler advertising poster. Materials are in English and German.
Box
16-1		Photographs, undated
Box
16-1		Postcards, undated


Aero, 1997-2005, undated
5 folders



This subseries documents Aero. The photocopies consist of 6 images, including those of a 1938 Aero 50, a 1936 Aero 30, and a 1939 Aero 50 with a Sodomka body. The photographs include 56 photographs of Aero cars, trailers, posters, catalog pages, and significant persons. The postcards include one black and white image of a 1938 Aero 30. The prints include a diagram of a 1939 Chassis Aero 50. The poster features a photograph taken by Roy D. Query of a 1939 Aero Model 50 Special Convertible by Sodomka. Materials are in Czech and English.
Box
16-1		Photocopies, undated
Box
16-1		Photographs, 2001, 2005, undated
Box
16-1		Postcards, 1997
Box
16-1		Prints, undated
Box
16-F1		Poster, undated


Albany Motor Carriage Company, Ltd., 1997, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Albion Motor Carriage Company, Limited. The photographs include 2 images of a 1979 Albany Ford and a 1977 model.
Box
16-1		Photographs, 1997, undated


Albion, 1973, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Albion. The postcards consist of 3 images, including those of a 1928 Albion-Merryweather Fire Engine, a 1904 Albion 2-cylinder, and a 1900 Albion 2-cylinder.
Box
16-1		Postcards, 1973, undated


A: Level, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents A: Level. Items include promotional cards of a Volga V12 Coupe. Materials are in French and English.
Box
16-1		Promotional Cards, undated


Alda, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Alda. Items include photographs of an Alda model.
Box
16-1		Photographs, undated


Alfa Romeo, 1969-2002, undated
7 folders



This subseries documents Alfa Romeo. The albums include a photo album produced by International Automobile Photos, which includes images of the Alfa Romeo 2.300, Mille Miglia, and 2.900. The greeting cards include 2 Alfa Romeo greeting cards. The photocopies consist of 4 black and white images, including those of a 1931 Alfa Romeo, an Alfa Romeo 2.9, a 1939 Alfa Romeo Farina, and another 1939 Alfa Romeo. The photographs consist of 26 images of various Alfa Romeo models and advertisements. The postcards include 7 images of various Alfa Romeo models and poster reproductions. The prints include 7 images, 4 of which are collected together in a promotional folder, of various Alfa Romeo models. The oversize print is is a black and white print of an Alfa Romeo 1975 Tipo 33 TT 12. Materials are in French, Italian, Dutch, and English.
Box
16-1		Albums, undated
Box
16-1		Greeting Cards, undated
Box
16-1		Photocopies, undated
Box
16-1		Photographs, 1992-2002
Box
16-1		Postcards, 1969-1996
Box
16-1		Prints, 1977, undated
Box
16-F1		Prints, 1975


Allard, 1995, undated
2 folders



This subseries documents Allard. The photographs include images of an unidentified Allard model and a 1951 Allard J-2X. The prints include a two-sided image of a 1951 Allard M.2 Drophead Coupe.
Box
16-1		Photographs, 1995, undated
Box
16-1		Prints, undated


Allstate, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Allstate. Item is a postcard of a 1952 Allstate.
Box
16-1		Postcards, undated


Alvis, 1982-2007, undated
4 folders



This subseries documents Alvis. The greeting cards include one of a 1928 Alvis front wheel drive. The photocopies include an image of a 1938 Alvis 68 Luxury Tourer. The photographs include 14 images of various Alvis models, 3 of which are included with a letter to Taylor Vinson with a photocopy of an unidentified Alvis. The postcards include 2 images, including those of a 1934 Alvis and a 1932 Alvis 12/60.
Box
16-1		Greeting Cards, undated
Box
16-1		Photocopies, undated
Box
16-1		Photographs, 1982-2007
Box
16-1		Postcards, undated


American Motors, 1971-1982, undated
2 folders



This subseries documents American Motors. The photographs consist of 6 images of AMC cars, including those of a 1982 AMC Eagle, a 1978 AMC AMX Hatchback, and 4 images of an AMC prototype with a letter from Dick Teague of American Motors (1971). The postcards consist of 6 images, including those of an AMC Gremlin "X," an AMC Matador Brougham, an AMC Hornet Hatchback, an AMC Cassini Matador, a 1979 AMC Spirit, and a 1979 ½ AMC Silver Anniversary Concord DL Limited Edition.
Box
16-1		Photographs, 1971-1982, undated
Box
16-1		Postcards, undated


Amilcar, 1984-2004, undated
5 folders



This subseries documents Amilcar. The photocopies consist of 5 images of black and white scanned photographs, including those of an Amilcar 982 and other unidentified Amilcar models. The photographs consist of 4 images, including those of a 1926 Amilcar Italiana and another unidentified Amilcar model. The postcards consist of 2 images, including those of a 1938 Amilcar and an unidentified Amilcar. The prints consist of 6 images, including those of an Amilcar Grand Sport 2 Seater, Cabriolet, Coupe, Open Sport, Roadster Cabriolet, and Special Sport. The promotional cards include the image of a 1924 Amilcar Type CGS 2-seater Cabriolet. Materials are in French and English.
Box
16-1		Photocopies, undated
Box
16-1		Photographs, 2000-2004
Box
16-1		Postcards, 1984, undated
Box
16-1		Prints, undated
Box
16-1		Promotional Cards, undated


Amphicar, 1995
1 folder



This subseries documents Amphicar. The photographs include 2 images of a 1964 Amphicar Volkswagen engine.
Box
16-1		Photographs, 1995


Amplex, 2004
1 folder



This subseries documents Amplex. Item is a photograph of an unidentified Amplex model.
Box
16-1		Photographs, 2004


Anderson, 1977
1 folder



This subseries documents Anderson. Item is a postcar of a 1909 Anderson Model B Motor Buggy.
Box
16-1		Postcards, 1977


Arden, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Arden. Item is a postcard of a 1913 Arden.
Box
16-2		Postcards, undated


Argyll, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Argyll. The postcards consist of 3 images, including those of a 1913 Argyll 15/30, a 1927 Argyll 12/40, and a 1907 Argyll 10/12.
Box
16-2		Postcards, undated


Aries, 1934
1 folder



This subseries documents Aries. The photographs include 14 images of various Aries models. All materials are in French.
Box
16-2		Photographs, 1934


Armstrong Siddeley, 1959-1997, undated
2 folders



This subseries documents Armstrong Siddeley. The photographs consist of 3 images, including those of a 1955 Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire, a Star Sapphire Limousine, and a sketch of the interior of an unidentified Armstrong Siddeley model. The postcards include an image of a 1936 Armstrong Siddeley Fourteen.
Box
16-2		Photographs, 1959-1997
Box
16-2		Postcards, undated


Arnold-Bristol, 1994
1 folder



This subseries documents Arnold-Bristol. The photographs consist of 2 images, including those of an unidentified Arnold-Bristol, and a 1963 Arnold-Bristol 6 Cylinder.
Box
16-2		Photographs, 1994


Arrol-Johnston, 1921, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Arrol-Johnston. The postcards consist of 2 images, including those of a 1901 Arrol-Johnston 10/12 and an unidentified Arrol-Johnston.
Box
16-2		Postcards, 1921, undated


Aston Martin, undated
2 folders



This subseries documents Aston Martin. The photographs include 7 images of various Aston Martin models. The postcards consist of 2 images, including those of a 1932 Aston Martin Le Mans Tourer and an Aston Martin DP214 Coupe.
Box
16-2		Photographs, 2007, undated
Box
16-2		Postcards, 1977, undated


Aston Martin Lagonda, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Aston Martin Lagonda. Item is an image of an Aston Martin bicycle.
Box
16-2		Photographs, undated


Athena, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Athena. Item is a greeting card of an unidentified Athena model.
Box
16-2		Greeting Cards, undated


Auburn, 1980-2003, undated
4 folders



This subseries documents Auburn. The greeting cards include an image of an unspecified Auburn Super-Charged model. The photocopies include 8 images of various Auburn models. The photographs include 15 images of various Auburn models. The postcards include 12 images of various Auburn models.
Box
16-2		Greeting Cards, 1980
Box
16-2		Photocopies, 2003
Box
16-2		Photographs, 1991-1997
Box
16-2		Postcards, 1984-1991, undated


Audi, 1988-2002, undated
3 folders



This subseries documents Audi. The photographs include 25 images, including those of Audi models and pages of Audi trade catalogs. The postcards include 24 images, including those of Audi models and advertisements. In addition, there is a booklet of foldout postcards of Audi models. The prints include an image of a 1939 Audi. Materials are in German and English.
Box
16-2		Photographs, 2006, undated
Box
16-2		Postcards, 1988-2002, undated


Austin, 1973-2001, undated
2 folders



This subseries documents Austin. The photographs include 34 images of various Austin models. The postcards consist of 6 images, including those of a 1934 Austin London Taxicab, a 1908 100 H.P. Austin, the Austin A35 Saloon, the Austin A90 Atlantic Convertible, and unidentified Austin models.
Box
16-2		Photographs, 1991-2001
Box
16-2		Postcards, 1973-1994, undated


Austin-Healey, 1994, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Austin-Healey. The photographs include 7 photos of various Austin-Healey models.
Box
16-2		Photographs, 1994, undated


Austro Daimler, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Austro Daimler. The prints include images of an Austo-Daimler Viersitziger Sportwagen and an Austro-Daimler Pullmann-Limousine.
Box
16-2		Prints, undated


Auto-Bug, 1997
1 folder



This subseries documents Auto-Bug. Item is a photograph of a 1911 Auto-Bug.
Box
16-2		Photographs, 1997


Auto-Mixte, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Auto-Mixte. Item is a photograph of an unidentified Auto-Mixte model.
Box
16-2		Photographs, undated


Auto Union, undated
2 folders



This subseries documents Auto Union. The photographs consist of 6 images, including those of the Auto Union Rennwagen, Hans Stuck driving an unidentified Auto Union model, an Auto Union Type C (1936/37), and Adolf Hitler at the Berlin Exhibition examining an unidentified Auto-Union model. The prints include an image of a Horch Gelandewagen. All materials are in Afrikaans.
Box
16-2		Photographs, undated
Box
16-2		Prints, undated


Autobianchi, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Autobianchi. The photographs include 3 images of unidentified Autobianchi models.
Box
16-2		Photographs, undated


Autocar, 1977
1 folder



This subseries documents Autocar. Item is a postcard of a 1903 Autocar Type VIII, Model A.
Box
16-2		Postcards, 1977


Avanti, 1986, undated
3 folders



This subseries documents Avanti. The photographs include 2 images of unidentified Avanti models. The postcards include an image of an unidentified Avanti model. The prints include an image of a 1986 Avanti convertible.
Box
16-3		Photographs, undated
Box
16-3		Postcards, undated
Box
16-3		Prints, 1986


Baker, 1966-1977, undated
2 folders



This subseries documents Baker. The photocopies include a scan of Paul Winter Brakeley seated in a Baker Electric. The postcards consist of 4 images, including those of 1909 and 1916 Baker Electric advertisements, a 1906 Baker "Imperial," and an 1899 Baker Electric Runabout.
Box
16-3		Photocopies, 1975
Box
16-3		Postcards, 1966-1977, undated


Bantam, 1993-1997
2 folders



This subseries documents Bantam. The photographs consist of 4 images, including those of a 1940 Bantam, a 1930 Austin, a 1933 Austin, and a 1934 Austin. The postcards consist of an image of a Bantam "60" 4 Passenger Speedster and Station Wagon.
Box
16-3		Photographs, 1993-1997
Box
16-3		Postcards, undated


Bede, 1981, undated
2 folders



This subseries documents Bede. The blueprints consist of a diagram of a 1981 Bede model. The photographs consist of an image of an unidentified Bede model.
Box
16-3		Blueprints, 1981
Box
16-3		Photographs, undated


Belsize, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Belsize. Item is a postcard of a 1911 Belsize Model "10" Coupe.
Box
16-3		Postcards, undated


Belvalette, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Belvalette. Item is a photograph of a page from a Belvalette catalog.
Box
16-3		Photographs, undated


Bendix, 2002, 2006
1 folder



This subseries documents Bendix. The photographs consist of 2 images of a 1934 Bendix Experimental Car/Prototype.
Box
16-3		Photographs, 2002, 2006


Bentley, 1976-2005, undated
6 folders



This subseries documents Bentley. The albums consist of a photo album produced by International Automobile Photos, which includes images of the Bentley 8 Litre and 6 1/2 Litre. The greeting cards include the image of an unidentified Bentley. The photocopies consist of a scan of an unidentified Bentley. The photographs include 40 images of various Bentley models. The postcards consist of 5 images, including those of a 1926 Bentley 3-litre Speed Model Tourer, a 1929 Bentley 4 ½ litre, a Bentley Turbo R, and a 1939 Rolls Bentley. The prints consist of 4 images, including those of a Bentley 4 ¼ Litre Phaeton and illustrations of unidentified Bentleys.
Box
16-3		Albums, undated
Box
16-3		Greeting Cards, 1986
Box
16-3		Photocopies, undated
Box
16-3		Photographs, 1991-2005
Box
16-3		Postcards, 1976-1991
Box
16-3		Prints, 1995, undated


Benz, 1965-2007, undated
4 folders



This subseries documents Benz. The photocopies consist of a photo scan of an unidentified Benz. The photographs consist of 4 images, including those of a 1915 Benz "Karpatensieger," a 1908 Benz G.P., a Benz 2 Litre, and a Benz 6c 2000 cc. The postcards consist of 2 images, including those of an 1897 Benz "Comfortable," and an 1894 Benz type Velo. The prints consist of an image of a Benz-Runabout. Materials are in French and English.
Box
16-3		Photocopies, undated
Box
16-3		Photographs, 2001, 2007, undated
Box
16-3		Postcards, 1965, 1984
Box
16-3		Prints, undated


Berliet (1920s), undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Berliet. Item is a poster of a 6 cylinder Berliet advertisement. All materials are in French.
Box
16-3		Poster, undated


Bertone, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Bertone. Item is a photograph of an unidentified Bertone.
Box
16-3		Photographs, undated


BMW, 1939-1997, undated
4 folders



This subseries documents BMW. The photographs include 16 images of various BMW models. The postcards consist of 4 images, including those of the 50 Ps. BMW, and other unidentified BMW's. The prints consist of 2 images of unidentified BMW's. The transparencies consist of images of the BMW Series 5. Materials are in German and English.
Box
16-3		Photographs, 1939-1997
Box
16-3		Postcards, undated
Box
16-3		Prints, undated
Box
16-3		Transparencies, undated


Ballot, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Ballot. Series is arranged alphabetically by format type. Item is a photograph of a Ballot Model 8.
Box
16-3		Photographs, undated


Bignan, 2004
1 folder



This subseries documents Bignan. Series is arranged alphabetically by format type. Item is a photograph of an unidentified Bignan.
Box
16-3		Photographs, 2004


Bil Bol, 2001
1 folder



This subseries documents Bil Bol. Series is arranged alphabetically by format type. Item is a postcard of a Bil Bol poster reproduction.
Box
16-3		Postcards, 2001


B.N.C., 1926, 2005
2 folders



This subseries documents B.N.C. Series is arranged alphabetically by format type. The photographs consist of an image of an unidentified B.N.C. The postcards consist of an image of an unidentified B.N.C. All materials are in French.
Box
16-3		Photographs, 2005
Box
16-3		Postcards, 1926

		16.54 Bohler, 1939; 1 folder
Box
16-3		Prints, 1939


Bollee, 2006
1 folder



This subseries documents Bollee. Series is arranged alphabetically by format type. The photographs consist of 3 images, including those of a 1901 Amedee Bollee Type D and an 1896 Leon Bollee 3 Wheeler.
Box
16-3		Photographs, 2006


Bombardier, 1997
1 folder



This subseries documents Bombardier. Series is arranged alphabetically by format type. The photographs consist of 3 images of a 1998 Bombardier N.V. Electric.
Box
16-3		Photographs, 1997


Borgward (Germany), undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Borgward (Germany). Photographs include 9 images of various Borgward models. All materials are in German.
Box
16-3		Photographs, undated


Boyer, undated
1 folder



This subseries documents Boyer. Item is a postcard of a Boyer advertisement.
Box
16-3		Postcards, undated


Brasier, 1965, 2001, undated
2 folders



This subseries documents Brasier. The postcards consist of 2 images, including those of a 1905 Brasier Coupe Gordon Bennett and a poster reproduction. The prints consist of 2 images, including those of an 18 HP Brasier Grand Luxe and an unidentified Brasier. All materials are in French.
Box
16-3		Postcards, 1965, 2001
Box
16-3		Prints, undated

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Accession 20100108.ZTV.XVI

Published Collections Department, Hagley Museum and Library

Descriptive Summary

Administrative Information

Biographical Note

Scope and Content

Arrangement

Series Descriptions and Inventory