This was a typical tiller-steered steam buggy, powered by a 7 to 9 hp 2-cylinder vertical engine, having a single chain drive. A dos-a-dos four-passenger body was available in addition to the two-passenger. The Steamobile had a curved dash like that of the Oldsmobile, although it was higher-built.
The Company apparently existed as the Keene Automobile Company for some time before becoming the Steamobile Company of America. These dates are not certain.1
John Conde believes the Keene Steamer was "introduced in the fall of 1900" by the Trinity Cycle Manufacturing Company of Keene, NH. It was "designed by Reynold Janney, father of playwright & novelist Russel Janney. The firm was bought out early in 1901 by a Delaware firm, which built the Steamobile thereafter." Conde cites no source.
The corporate history of the Keen Steam Car remains to be written. It may have been known as the Keen Automobile Company or the Trinity Cycle Manufacturing Company as well as the Steamobile Company of America.
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This 1900 Steamobile trade catalogue also carries the remains of an AMA file stamp on the front cover, and something has been torn from the front cover. It has had a hard life that includes hole punching and binding at the Pope Manufacturing Company , then unbinding at the Stevens Institute of Technology, a subsequent reassembly repair with black tape along the spine, at which time the restaurant flyer was inserted, and finally partial disassembly by the VSCM for scanning. It is in need of conservation.
Conde's notes about the Steamobile. He notes a Trinity Cycle Manufacturing Company in Keene, NH. This is a research opportunity. John A. Conde Collection
The Steamobile's 1903/1904 trade catalogue promoted it as "A New England Hill Climber." It was not enough and the company was out of business by 1904. The iconography is delightful. A woman is driving the Steamobile up a steep hill, surrounded by a broken frame. Note the damage to the cover and the remains of an AMA file stamp. John A. Conde Collection
The trade catalogue's title page carries the Pope Manufacturing Company file stamp, along with an AMA file stamp. Something was glued to this page and was subsequently torn out. This damage is seen on other trade literature with the AMA stamp. Across the top, someone has written "Last Catalogue Issued by These People. Out of Business 1904." This trade catalogue has had a hard life. It has been punched, stamped, glued, stapled, and disassembled for scanning. John A. Conde Collection
Conde's File Folder. John A. Conde Collection
Conde's File Folder. John A. Conde Collection
On May 24, 1902, the Scieitific American Supplement carried this article on the new Steamobile body design, its Family Carriage.
This postal cover carries the Steamobile's return address in New York City, almost certainly its sales office. It was mailed on January 7, 1901 to a Miss Emma Worrell in Wilmington, DE. She apparently "sent all" it to Ja[me]s for advice. Was she seeking advice on purchaseing a vehicle or investing in the company? What else did she send?
The Steamobile steam car was featured as number 8 in a series of 50 cards celebrating 100 Years of Motoring produced by Robert R. Miranda, LTD, the self-described Manufacturing Confectioners of London.