This radiator emblem belonged to the five-seat touring car produced by the Read Motor Company of Detroit, Michigan from 1913 until 1914. Only a single model was produced by Read during its year of operation, the four cylinder touring car that sold for $850. This circular blue emblem has “Read/’30’” in silver lettering in the center, and the rim has silver lettering that reads “READ MOTOR CAR COMPAY/DETROIT, MICH. U.S.A.”
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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