Manufacturers' POSTCARDS

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Buffalo Pitts Rollers will haul the road machine from either end.

Antique postcards provide an attractive field for collectors, and traction engine restorers may find they like the cards too.

Almost anything you can think of was shown on postcards of many years ago bridges, hospitals, homes, farmers, birds, natural landmarks and what not.

The number of postcards issued by engine manufacturers, however, may have been limited. We don't know. Having started research on this subject, we're seeking more information.

Perhaps you can help. The cards shown here are examples. One of our favorites is the Case 'Hill climber' card. We know from reading about Case that the company sent a man around to state and county fairs, and other agricultural events, to demonstrate how the Case could climb.

This particular card is postmarked 1908 from Mawrglen, Pennsylvania. You can see a man standing at the top of the incline, and an engine near him. A sign at right says, 'Case Engines Are The Only Hill Climbers'. Notice the long gowns of the ladies.

The handwritten message from the sender says in part, 'This is a picture of an engine I saw yesterday' at a fair. The Case Old Abe symbol is shown also.

The Buffalo Pitts roller shown on another postcard 'will haul the road machine from either end', the card proclaimed. This was No. 2 in a series of road building pictures issued by the Buffalo Steam Roller Co., Buffalo, New York. On a trip to Buffalo, we learned that many inquiries are sent to a museum there, for information on the company and its products.

On the reverse of this card is the message, 'In hauling a road scraper with a Buffalo Pitts Road Roller it is not necessary to turn the roller around, as it is arranged with draft attachment at each end.' The postmark on this is 1910.

If you can add to the store of information for all IMA readers, please write to IMA c/o Postcards. Well be happy to hear from you.