The VSCM acquired a small collection from a Leavenworth, KS estate. There was no information with the collection other than its place of origin.
Given the documents in the collection, it seems to have belonged to G. W. Nichols of Leavenworth, with whom Thomas Derr corresponded in 1940.
Nichols apparently corresponded with Harry W. McGee of Milwaukee, WI, who was very interested in steam cars. McGee may have had automobiles converted to steam for sale.
The VSCM acquiired a Keen Manufacturing Company card and a Baker Steam Car and Manufacturing Company stock promotional brochure from this same estate.
The collection is shown below. Enjoy!
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Thomas Derr wrote this letter to G. W. Nichols on September 10, 1940. He was still trying to sell steam cars on the eve of World War II.
Nichols Collection.
This is apparently Harry W. McGee of Milwaukee, WI. He ran this 1886 sewing machine from a small steam engine. He apparently owned a 1913 Stanley Steam car. Nichols Collection.
This "Empire steam Car" image is the front of a postcard dated January 28, 1960. McGee wrote a note to stanley Allred on the reverse: "Mr. Stanley Allred Please check and return Empire Steamer compelete set up. I have got it for sale price is out of range for me. (Please Return) H. W. McGee, Sr." Nichols Collection.
Harry McGee created this post card using an undated image from the "Tri-County News." It seems to document the sale of the last American Steam Automobile Company car, purchsaed by Rufus Limpp from Derr's widow, probably about 1960. The whereabouts of the car is unknown. Nichols Collection.
Harry McGee created these two advertising cards from existing Cruban Machine & Steel Corporation cards. Nichols Collection.
L. Bughley of Bughley Tractor Service in Beach, ND apparently converted this 1939 Packard to Steam Power. It is one of several Packards so converted, the best known being in the Marshall Collection at Auburn Heights Preserve. Nichols Collection.
The inscription on the reverse of this photograph identify it as "This Boiler with Burner $1,100.00 Built by Mr. Harry Peterson 14040 Grandville (23) Detroit, Michigan." Nichols Collection.
G. W. Nichols had this brochure from the Mershon Patent Shaking Grate Works. The printing date on the lower left corner suggests May 1949. Nichols Collection.
Mr. Nichols had three Stanley Steam Car piping diagram photocopies produced by Steam Developments of Staten Island, NY. One copy has some hannd written notes. Nichols Collection.
This Stanley piping diagram carries a date of October 7, 1922. There are extensive notes on the reverse, presumably by Mr. Nichols. Nichols Collection.
Harry McGee identified this car as the "1937 Stanley." His note at the top of the image identifies the earlier car as a 1925 Model 750. Production of the Model 750 ended in 1924. Nichols Collection.
The license plate on this 1937 Stanley is a 1939 Wisconsin plate. McGee seems to have owned the car and was offering it for sale. The image below is apparently this car, perhaps in front of McGee's home in Milwaukee. Nichols Collection.
Mr. Nichols owned two copies fo the "Engineer's Report Condensed on [the] Baker Boiler, produced by the Baker Steam Car and Manufacturing Company on October 31, 1919. Nichols Collection.
Kelsey's Antique Car Museum was located in Camdenton, MO. These two 1914 Stutz Bearcat cards suggest that the museum may have produced similar cards with steam cars. To date, none have surfaceed. Nichols Collection.
Contact us if you have additional information about G. W. Nichols of Leavenworth, KS or Harry W. McGee of Milwaukee, WI, or if you have questions.
Thank you for your financial support.
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