Practically nonexistent TLS signed “J. W. Packard,” one page, 8.25 x 11, Packard Electric Company letterhead, February 7, 1910. Letter to Milton Tibbetts of the Packard Motor Car Company. In full: “Replying to yours of February 5rd regarding purchase of one of the Model B Packard cars, the first cars we sold were marketed as Model B’s but they were not our real shop number B’s and I assume that you refer to the special cars with built-up engine with steel cylinder and cylindrical copper jackets. There were only two of these cars made; the one was sold to Mr. W. D. Sargent. Mr. Sargent was a Chicago man, and was in some sort of a steel casting business. The other car was sold to Mr. Geo. L. Weiss of Cleveland. I never heard what become [sic] of either of these cars. It is very probable that Mr. Weiss could advise you and I would suggest that you write him. He was formerly and I believe is yet; with the Cleveland City Forge & Iron Company. l am sorry that I cannot give you any more detailed information. There are a number of the first cars which were marketed about here and there would be no difficulty in obtaining one of these at a very low price. If I can be of any further assistance to you, please command me.” Intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, a couple pencil notations, three small holes to upper portion of page, and a uniform shade of toning, otherwise fine condition.
In 1899, brothers James Ward and William Doud Packard founded what would become the Packard Motor Car Company as a subsidiary of the Packard Electric Company with partner George L. Weiss, recipient of one of the first two cars they made. There is little known about these two “special cars with built-up engine with steel cylinder and cylindrical copper jackets”: only a decade after their manufacture, even James Ward Packard had “never heard what [had] become of either of these cars.” By 1910, Packard Motors was well established as an innovative, reliable luxury car company, selling cars to the wealthiest families both in the United States and abroad. They maintained their reputation until the company’s dissolution in the late 1950s. One of only two known letters signed by Packard, this piece would be desirable with any content; but with the discussion of the two earliest cars ever made by the company, it becomes a truly extraordinary piece. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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