The InstaGRAM Report: Austin Clark Jr.‘s ‘Silent’ 1963 Long Island Automotive Museum Auction Part 1
This auction was a first for the Long Island Automotive Museum. It was an attempt to increase profits and make up for lost revenue. Henry Austin Clark, Jr. explained the purpose of the auction in the catalog: “After fifteen years of operation of the museum, it has become obvious that the displaying of cars to the public is a losing proposition. Therefore, it is planned to discontinue operation of the museum after the 1963 season, unless some sort of miracle occurs.”
A look at the auction vehicles found in the LIAM postcard archives.
By Gram Spina
According to a newspaper clipping found in the Walter McCarthy archives, the auction brought in $97,000 from the sale of 51 cherished cars, giving the museum the much-needed miracle. After the auction, Austin Clark achieved his goal of keeping the doors open, but also found it necessary to increase admission prices for visitors to view the remaining 180 cars.
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I HIGHLY recommend reading the vehicle listing for each car. Austin Clark had a very humorous way of writing the descriptions for his beloved vehicles; pay attention and you’ll find it clear which cars Austin Clark really did not want to sell. Unfortunately, not every car sold has postcard photos; you’ll have to use your imagination for the missing art. Each page also has handwritten notes for the final price of each car.
Lot #1: 1899 Oakman Hertel Runabout - Sold for $2,500
“2 cyl, 24 H.P. Pulley drive. The basic plan of this little car was derived from two bicycle frames with the rest of the car in between. This fine example of one of America's earliest machines was found in a garage in Lynn, Massachusetts, years ago by John Leathers…”
The release of the postcard I have found shows the same Oakman that was sold at auction. The back of the postcard also provides information on where the car can be seen at the time the postcard was published: “Now on Display at the Early American Museum, Silver Springs, Florida.”
The Early American Museum was once known as the Carriage Calvacade. Owner Vernon Jarvis owned a collection of roughly 100 antique carriages and various other motor cars. Sometime during the 1980s era, the estate sold the collection to the Silver Springs Attraction. Which moved the museum to the old Morrison's Cafeteria building on park grounds.
The Oakman was last seen at auction in 2009 for over $70,000.
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Lot #6: 1903 Pierce Motorette - Sold for $2,000
“1 cyl, 5 H.P. Restored and once the property of the late Thomas McKean of Philadelphia. This is one of the later Motorettes, but the small model…”
This is the same Pierce that was auctioned off; note the handwritten “sold” script on the back of the postcard.
It is unknown where the car is today.
Lot #7: 1904 Franklin Rear Entrance Tonneau - Sold for $2,050
“Model B, 4 cyl, 10 H.P. One of the earlier American four-cylinder cars… This bright and colorful example with leather and paint by Reuter and mechanical work by McKeage. We never finished hooking up the ignition system and have not run it since the restoration.”
The postcard showcases the same Franklin that was sold at this auction. Judging by the postcard most would assume this Franklin ran and drove since it looks like it has just been out for a drive. However, more likely it was pushed outside for the photo.
Franklins are fairly common, but whereabouts are unknown for this exact vehicle.
Lot #9: 1905 Selden Road Engine - Withdrawn from Auction
“Built by Henry Cave during the trial of the Selden Patent case. A companion piece to the smaller Selden now in the Henry Ford Museum, this is a larger, more elaborate interpretation of the Selden Patent design… Unrestored.”
The Selden on the postcard shown is not the same Selden that was at the auction. It is unknown why Austin Clark withdrew the all-original large Selden in unrestored condition from the 1963 auction. It was the only car that was removed from the auction.
It is believed that this car resides in The Henry Ford today.
Lot #10: 1906 Pope-Tribune Runabout - Sold for $2,000
“2 cyl, 14 H.P. Vertical engine… A Powerful machine and a bit of a handful… Meticulously restored by Lew Schafer, who does superb work, as you all know. Dorothy couldn’t drive it, so we got it back restored.”
The car on the postcard is the same one that sold at auction. 14 H.P. doesn’t sound like a lot by today's standards, but a car with no windscreen and a short wheelbase will feel ten times faster than it is actually moving. The “Dorothy” referenced in the description could be referring to the fact that back when this car was new, ladies tended to drive short-wheel base cars like this example.
Today's whereabouts unknown.
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Lot #17: 1911 Cadillac “30” Roadster - Sold for $3,500
“4 cyl, 30 H.P. This one was found in beautiful original condition on a farm in back of the Big Duck in Flanders Long Island… This is for the sport who doesn't like a top and a windshield.”
The sporty Cadillac on the postcard is the same as the one sold at auction. Note that it was sold after a restoration in 1955 and while unknown where it is today, a private collector may have this beautiful Caddy stashed away somewhere.
Lot #19: 1911 Pope-Hartford Fire Engine - Sold for $2200
“4 cyl, 60 H.P. A large, high speed machine with a larger Waukesha engine replacing the original Pope power plant…”
The postcard photo of this classic fire truck includes an entire band in the truck bed, ready for the next parade and guaranteed to put a smile on anyone's face. The auction price was for the fire truck only; marching band was not included. Hopefully a fire department has this truck on display somewhere today.
Stay Tuned for Part Two, where I will showcase the remaining cars and trucks sold at the 1963 Long Island Automotive Museum auction.
Comments
Great reporting from the extensive archives Gram! $2,000 in 1963 is equivalent to ~$20,000 today; seems WAY too cheap to sell off these rare and priceless autos back then. Times have changed
Such shockingly low sell prices even considering the times. One can only wonder in awe at the total value these historic cars would bring in today compared to less than $100,000 back then. My Mom and Dad bought me a few of those postcards when we visited the museum in the early 60s. My Brother Dennis and I also got two plastic models of Indy 500 winners. Gram still has mine, a Maserati, on display in his room. I’d love to know what else was available in that wonderful museum gift shop.
The Hertel is on display at the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum in Fairbanks, Alaska. I highly recommend this place as one of the top U.S. auto museums. It owns a number of Clark’s cars, along with some other ones from fellow Long Island collectors.
Fascinating article! Sure hope the cars that an no longer be traced are in still being well cared for somewhere!
Great find Gary Hammond, in the US outlier! Much appreciated!
Wonderful article on the LIAM. We acquired a trophy for the Glidden Tour from
the Museum. It is still displayed at the AACA headquarters in Hershey, PA.
Lots of fascinating cars that if they exist are seldom seen in public. For those of us who got to Long Island after this museum went away, we really appreciate learning about it.
Its odd that a good vintage auto museum to be located way out in Alaska.
Even though Austin Clark had planned to close the he museum in 1963, it closed about 1980? I had visited the museum just before it had closed. A miracle had happened?
Very interesting story, hope all cars are owned and cared for somewhere.