Earl Motors, Inc. Radiator Emblem

Earl Motors, Inc. Radiator Emblem

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Description
This radiator emblem belonged to an Earl automobile that was manufactured by Earl Motors Incorporated of Jackson, Michigan between 1922 and 1923. Earl was the president of Briscoe Motor Corporation, but founded Earl Motors after Benjamin Briscoe left the automobile business and handed over the factory to Earl. The company was short-lived, as its board clashed with Earl over quality and price expectations. The company’s assets were sold to the Standard Motor Parts Company in 1922. This radiator emblem has a coat-of-arms with a blue field and red bells with a lion’s head as a crest. The emblem reads “EARL MOTORS/INC./JACKSON, MICHIGAN.”
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.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
emblem, radiator
Other Terms
emblem, radiator; Road; Automobile
ID Number
TR.325528.088
accession number
260303
catalog number
325528.088
Credit Line
Hubert G. Larson
See more items in
Work and Industry: Transportation, Road
Radiator Emblems
Transportation
Road Transportation
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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