Here we have a one of a kind antique occupational photograph of American automobile history from 1918. It's a rare panoramic photograph of the "largest body of men ever attending any automobile school in the world."
The historical school is the Sweeney Automobile School in Kansas City, Missouri. The rare photograph was taken on January 23, 1918, by A.A. Riederer, who was a professional photographer in Kansas City in the early 1900s.
This is a phenomenal image of a snapshot in time. Check out the guys hanging out the windows of the school. If you look closely towards the back, several gents are striking a pose and tipping their newsboy caps.
Here's the kicker: Later on in 1918 the automotive school experienced a flu outbreak that resulted in a quarantine. Here's the story thanks to Wikipedia.
During the 1918 flu pandemic, 2,300 of the 3,000 students enrolled at the school contracted the disease. Fifteen mechanics died between September 29 and October 4. A quarantine was ordered, which proved successful in combating the disease. According to the Missouri Historical Review, "Army officials described the quarantine as a reverse quarantine, because it was designed to protect the Army men from civilians, instead of the opposite."
Check out the entire Wikipedia article.
The framed panoramic photograph measures about 22" wide and just over 10" tall. The exposed image measures 17.5" x 7.5". The photograph has some slight creases and warping but it doesn't take away from the image. The frame is solid with a good amount of patina. The photograph as not been examined out of the frame. I'm not going to risk it and mess with it. Please see all pics as they are part of the description.
I ship to the continental USA only. Free shipping on this piece.
Ford Model T's made up half of the cars in America in 1918. These boys knew how to get those classic cars purring like a kitten. An amazing and rare photograph of American automotive history. Petroliana at its finest. Don't miss out.
