HistoryForSaletm Autographs & ManuscriptsMake an Offer Today and Get a Quick Response!Take a Look at this Week's Specials!WILLIAM C. DURANT - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 05/11/1927 - HFSID 285352WILLIAM C. DURANT
Writing to fellow carmaker C. Harold Wills, he reports a successful tour by a caravan of his new Star Six autos, "passing everything on the road" while signing up new dealers.
Typed Letter signed: "Wm. C. Durant". 2 pages 7¼x10¼. New York, N.Y., 1927 May 11. On letterhead of Durant Motors to C. Harold Wills, Marysville, Michigan. In full: "The week before last I had rather an interesting experience which I would like to have you know about. Starting from Philadelphia with five new STAR SIX cars of various models (one landau, one cabriolet, one sedan, one coupe and one sport roadster), with a party of ten exclusive of drivers (two prominent Ford dealers in the group), I traveled through the Lackawanna Valley district for four days, averaging better than 180 miles a day, visiting our dealers at the principal points. We had a most enjoyable trip, passing everything on the road regardless of size or price-to me and my guests a most astonishing experience. I wish you had been with us. As the result of this trip we have signed up better than twenty prominent dealers in that territory and the word has gone out that the new STAR SIX is a most worthy product. I have been wondering if (for comparative test pound for pound) it would not be a good idea to install your power plant in five of these cars and make substantially the same run, which offers every opportunity for speed, pulling power and economical operation. In a few words, the object of all this is to find out whether there is anything better than we now have." One of the automotive industry's pioneers, William Crapo Durant (1861-1947) had dreamed of motorcars while building buggies and wagons for his Durant-Dort Carriage Company (founded in1886, it was the country's largest carriage company by 1890). In 1904, he became the General Manager of Buick, serving as the company's President from 1904-1908. In 1908, Durant incorporated General Motors of New Jersey and GM bought Buick that year. Although GM later bought Oldsmobile, Cadillac and Oakland, Durant lost control of the company in 1910. The next year, he and Swiss racecar driver Louis Chevrolet formed the Chevrolet Motor Company, and Durant would regain control of GM in 1915 in a merger. While serving as GM's President from 1916-1920, Durant became known as "Fantastic Bill", but he was forced out again by the DuPont interests. After founding Durant Motors the following year, Durant produced a number of cars that were targeted to different markets, including the PY, known as the "wonder car" because of its success, particularly in France. Durant recognized, as had Henry Ford, that the future of the automobile lay in the popular price field. As such, Durant confidently began to challenge Ford's all-conquering Model T by launching the Star in 1922. The new, low-priced car was initially met with enthusiasm by the Roaring '20s crowd, with stock in the newly created Star Motor Co., sold through the Durant Corp., quickly totaled $30 million. The vehicle heralded here by Durant, the Star Six-"a most worthy product"-was later renamed the Durant 55. The popularity was short-lived, however, as the Durant Motor Co. went out of business in 1932. The letter's recipient, C. Harold Wills, was an early associate of Henry Ford and one of the first employees of the Ford Motor Company. After leaving Ford, Wills started his own automobile firm, Wills Sainte Claire. Staple holes and rust at upper left margin. Normal mailing folds - not affecting signature. Toned at upper margin. Otherwise, fine condition.See more material from these signers:WILLIAM C. DURANT See more listings in our BUSINESS & FINANCE (1,148) category.
Please note that this is an authentically signed item. We do not sell autograph copies or signature reprintsClick main images to see larger versionsImages shown may contain our company watermark. The actual document does not contain this watermarkCertificate of AuthenticityThis item has been authenticated and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity issued by our parent company, Gallery of History, Inc. We financially stand behind our COA. Our commitment to authenticity and customer satisfaction are the reasons why we've been able to stay in business for so long (since 1981)! Ask us about our PSA/DNA and JSA authentication guarantee.
Visit our store today to see over 35,000 Rare Autographs and Manuscripts!
Our Third & Best Handbook - The One You Want On Historical Documents!Enhance your collecting experience. Add this definitive guide to historical documents to your autograph purchase. For the experienced and novice collector and for those who just love learning history this beautiful 253-page hardcover volume is for you! For more information visit our store and select the Autograph Handbook category or click here.Take a look at over 35,000 other listings in these categories:Actors & Actresses | Art & Architecture | Authors | Aviation & Space | Business & Finance | Explorers & Western Americana | Foriegn Leaders | Law & Order | Military | Music & Performers | Presidential | Religion & Humanitarians | Royalty | Science & Medicine | Sports | Supreme Court | U.S. Politicians | Gallery of History is the world's largest dealer of authentic autographs and manuscripts. Our inventory contains documents in all areas of interest including presidents, royalty, military, aviation, religion, business, science, celebrities, sports, music, authors and more. Whether looking to add to your collection, acquire a unique centerpiece for the home or office, or as a truly one-of-a-kind gift for someone special, you'll find it here at HistoryForSale. Contact us today and let us assist you in finding that perfect piece.
The Gallery of History, founded in 1981, is a long-standing UACC Registered Dealer, #RD110, and is a long-standing member of the Manuscript Society.
HistoryForSaletm: Gallery of History through HistoryForSale provides users the ability to offer on and purchase from an inventory which has been collected over an amazing 43 year period. The Gallery of History is the largest dealer in the world with an available inventory that exceeds 230,000 rare autographs and manuscripts.
Preserving historical documents is important to us. Your purchase comes to you appropriately protected. Our unframed items are sent to you either in acid-free archival sleeves or have been encapsulated when noted. The majority of our in-house framed items are also encapsulated in acid free sleeves to guard against organic acids, mounted in an acid-free enviroment and are framed behind glass or UF3-AR Plexiglas which blocks out most ultraviolet light.
Authenticity: This item has been authenticated and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity issued by our parent company, Gallery of History, Inc. We financially stand behind our COA. Our commitment to authenticity and customer satisfaction are the reasons why we've been able to stay in business for so long (since 1981)! Ask us about our PSA/DNA and JSA authentication guarantee.
Payment - Buyers will be sent payment instructions following their purchase. Customers are advised that they are responsible for payment of any international duties and/or taxes. Unless otherwise agreed to, complete payment is due within 24 hours of purchase. Return Policy: If any substantial defect not described in the item listing is found by the purchaser, the item(s) must be returned within 3 days of receipt. Item(s) may not be returned except for reasons of authenticity or substantial defect in description. We warrant to the original purchaser for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the sale the authenticity of any autograph offered by HistoryForSale. This warranty is limited to a refund of the purchase price upon the return of the merchandise to our parent company Gallery of History in satisfactory condition. Gallery of History is not liable for any other damages, including consequential damages. There are no other warranties of any nature either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Please contact us for an authorization before returning any item(s). A merchandise credit will be issued in the case of an unresolved dispute over the condition of a returned item.
Shipping - We ship via FedEx and USPS. Shipping charges are calculated at time of payment and are dependent on the number of items purchased and the destination shipping address. Due to the value of most purchases, a signature is required for delivery. This policy limits our ability to ship to PO Boxes. All international shipments (destinations outside the U.S) will be sent via FedEx. Please feel free to contact us in advance for shipping charges - international customers are encouraged to do so. Please remember to provide a daytime telephone number when payment is made as shipping services such as FedEx require one.
Related Items:
William C. Celentano, Mayor of New Haven, Conn., Autograph on Scott #968 F.D.C.
$22.00
William F. Devin, Mayor of Seattle, Autograph on Scott #C44 First Day Cover
$25.00
Beads And Beadwork Of The American Indians By William C Orchard 1929 Heye Found
$150.00
