This radiator emblem belonged to a Velie automobile that was manufactured by the Velie Motor Vehicle Company of Moline, Illinois from 1909 until 1929. Velie was a well-known carriage builder prior to manufacturing automobiles. The Velie Corporation had the backing of the John Deere Plow Company, and their first cars were distributed through the Deere dealer network. This emblem has a white “V” on a black background, with a blue ribbon that reads “VELIE” in yellow text across the front.
Radiator emblems are small, colorful metal plates bearing an automobile manufacturer's name or logo that attached to the radiators grilles of early automobiles. Varying in shape and size, the emblems served as a small branding device, sometimes indicating the type of engine, place of manufacturing, or using an iconic image or catchy slogan to advertise their cars make and model. This emblem is part of the collection that was donated by Hubert G. Larson in 1964.
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