The Graham Legacy

Michael E. Keller

Description

(From the Foreword) Graham-Paige Motors Corporation lives again in the pages of the The Graham Legacy: Graham-Paige to 1932. Michael E. Keller's factual account is based upon his thorough research, giving a clear picture of the formation and operations of this former Dearborn, Michigan, automaker. Keller addresses the myriad of Graham others' trucks, Paige, Graham-Paige and Graham automobile types and provides a full recounting of these vehicles' mechanical and styling details. In addition, the book incorporates the history of the three Graham brothers (Joseph, Robert and Ray) who rose from near anonymity to positions of prominence in such diverse fields as farming and glass manufacturing to the production of trucks and fine automobiles. This blending of historical, personal, business and technical aspects result in an informative and thoroughly interesting read.

Sujets

• Automotive
• Transportation
• Míchigan
• History of the United States
• Detroit
• Dearborn
• Robert Graham
• Détroit (Michigan)
• Michigan

Informations

• Publié par: Turner Publishing Company
• Date de parution: 01 juin 1998
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781681624556
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 6 Mo

Extrait

The Graham Legacy: Graham-Paige to 1932
Michael E. Keller
www.turnerpublishing.com
Copytight 1998 Michael E. Keller Publishing Rights: Turner Publishing Company
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author and the publisher.
Library of Congress Control No. 98-75193
Hard cover ISBN 9781563114700 Ebook ISBN 9781681624556
The materials were compiled and produced using available information; the author and the publisher regret they cannot assume liability for errors or omissions.

A Gragham-Paige motor car - an enduring source of pride .
Contents
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Preface
Chapter One: Antecedents
Chapter Two: Three Brothers
Chapter Three: Graham Glass
Chapter Four: Graham Brothers Tractors and Trucks
Chapter Five: The Paige-Detroit Motor Car Company
Chapter Six: Transition - 1927
Chapter Seven: The Graham-Paige Motors Corporation - 1928
Chapter Eight: As Another Year Begins - 1929
Chapter Nine: Very Good Cars At Very Good Prices - 1930 And 1931
Appendices:
A. Graham Genealogy
B. The Field And Track Records Of Harry Mulford Jewett
C. Paige-Detroit Motor Car Company Annual Production, 1910-1927
D. Graham Brothers Truck Production And Identification
E. Serial Numbers And Mechanical Specifications
F. Paige/Jewett And Graham-Paige Body Makers, 1916-1932
G. Graham-Paige Motors Corporation Annual Production 1928-1941
H. The Advertising And Promotion Of Graham-Built Trucks, Tractors, And Automobiles
I. Graham-Paige International Distributors Throughout World
Bibliography
Photo Credits
Index
Dedication
Dedicated to my family for its unwavering support.
Psalm 143:5
Acknowledgments
My research into the Graham legacy has been profoundly enriched
by the gracious help of the following individuals:
Karen England
Richard Lythgoe
Jeff Gillis
Jerry Viste
Beth Sillars
G. R. Brigham
Bob Greene
D. J. Kava
Bill Whorrall
Walter O. MacIlvain
Dean Snellgrove
Michael Lamm
Agatha Pierce Kraft
Robert C. Graham, Jr.
David Graham
Karl Zahm
Foreword
Graham-Paige Motors Corporation lives again in the pages of The Graham Legacy: Graham-Paige To 1932 . Michael E. Keller s factual account is based upon his thorough research, giving a clear picture of the formation and operations of this former Dearborn, Michigan, automaker. Keller addresses the myriad of Graham Brothers trucks, Paige, Graham-Paige and Graham automobile types and provides a full recounting of these vehicles mechanical and styling details. In addition, the book incorporates the history of the three Graham brothers (Joseph, Robert and Ray) who rose from near anonymity to positions of prominence in such diverse fields as farming and glass manufacturing to the production of trucks and fine automobiles. This blending of historical, personal, business and technical aspects result in an informative and thoroughly interesting read.
In keeping with Graham-Paige Motors Corporation s motto- To Sell Well is to Serve Well -the Graham brothers sought to foster the same measure of integrity, honor and loyalty in their employees and dealers as they adhered to since childhood. The development of those values, rarely stressed in modern corporate America, was the cornerstone upon which the Graham brothers built their business. Keller explores the extent to which the company-sponsored Graham-Paige Legion pursued those virtues in its management, manufacture, promotion and sales.
Michael Keller is eminently qualified to write The Graham Legacy given his long and intense interest in all aspects of Graham-Paige Motors Corporation. Not only has he been involved with the Graham Owners Club-International for over 20 years (serving as president for two terms), but he also owns two Graham-Paige automobiles. Keller s personal archive of original resource data is large and inclusive: comprised of factory sales literature, magazine advertisements, internal corporate documents, photographs, service manuals, sales bulletins, data books, and other materials. He has also amassed hundreds of clippings from contemporary industry trade publications, which provide a comprehensive overview of virtually every facet of the Graham brothers companies. The Graham-Legacy is enhanced by Keller s invaluable personal interviews with the Graham brothers relatives, former employees and original owners of company-built vehicles.
The Graham Legacy: Graham-Paige To 1932 by Michael E. Keller is the most definitive work ever written on the history of the antecedents, principals and products of Graham-Paige Motors, Incorporated.
Karl S. Zahm
Preface
They were Captains of Industry. It was a time in American history when successful industrialists were held in high esteem.
Visitors to Detroit in January of 1929 were exposed to the city s typically frigid winter weather conditions. But to the more than 3,000 men in attendance at the cavernous Masonic Temple Auditorium on the evening of the 3rd, the weather was inconsequential. After all, this was the Motor City, a place from which much of America s prosperity emanated and this was the second annual dealers meeting for one of the fastest-growing concerns in the motor car industry. Expectations were high.
Many of the men had been in New York City less than a year before when this company presented its first offerings to the public. That first meeting of dealers and stockholders had not only been a spirited success, but an indicator this was one concern which was not only going to produce a quality product but also do business in a first class manner. Sports luminaries Knute Rockne and Gene Tunney were guest speakers at that initial meeting held at the prestigious Hotel Roosevelt. One newspaper described that dealers luncheon as one which set a new standard for impressiveness and effectiveness. The new automobiles immediately met with favorable public and industry reaction.
The 12 months following the initial introduction were a period of tremendous growth. The manufacturing plant had more than doubled in size and demand was far ahead of what the company could produce. In 1928 the firm produced and sold more automobiles during its initial year than any other firm in the industry.
Considering the profits accrued during that year, there was no need to go to extra lengths to encourage dealers to attend this second annual meeting. But the firm did so in a historic manner. This company had provided a speaking film encouraging the major distributors and dealers to attend. This was the very first time the motion picture medium had been used in the motor car industry. It was a presentation done with style and class. The film was narrated by Lionel Atwill, one of the nation s foremost actors, and the incidental music was provided by the great Roxy Theater Orchestra.
The principals of this new firm invited dealers, salesmen, and stockholders to visit the plant to see the newly enlarged facility, to hear of even loftier goals for the immediate future, and to enjoy an impressive evening program dedicated to success.
That film and the program easily fueled the dealers enthusiasm with reports on the record-level production during those first 12 months, the parallel growth of European and other foreign markets, and the formation of an ever-expanding dealers organization called the Legion. The historic talkie ended with the Legion March, the anthem penned for this new dealers organization by Arthur Pryor, eminent American musician and composer.
The film noted that following the meeting and program, tours of the manufacturing facility, new engineering building, and recently completed test track on Lonyo Road would be conducted. There was much to look forward to, but it was the program on that cold winter s evening at the Masonic Auditorium which would be in everyone s memory for years to come.
The program was titled Four Speeds Forward, an obvious reference to one of the motor car s engineering features. The theme of the program was Chivalry, and appropriate medieval features were employed throughout. The evening was produced by John Murray Anderson, a name well known for his many successes on Broadway. The evening s presentation included dialogue, choral and orchestral pieces, ballet, and a unique animal act. Tyrone Power, distinguished actor, portrayed The Spirit of the Legion with the assistance of a cast of over 260. Scenic design was provided by the Metropolitan Opera House of New York City, and the dance portions were presented by the New York Ballet Company. A chorus of over 100 voices accompanied the Detroit Symphony for the musical portions. The four-act presentation included themes of courage, loyalty, integrity, and unity of purpose; themes that the advertising department would employ in portraying the company s business creed. The portion concerned with courage displayed the skills of the famous animal trainer Clyde Beatty, supported by twenty-six lions and tigers. Official congratulations and hopes of continued future success were extended by Michigan Governor Fred W. Green. News reports gave notice this program was the most opulent dealers meeting in Detroit history.
The hosts of this sales convention were three brothers. As a business team, they had over two decades of manufacturing successes in businesses both large and small, related and unrelated to the automobile industry. In a quiet and dignified manner Joseph Bolden Graham, Ray Austin Graham, and Robert Cabel Graham observed the evening s events. Having achieved many previous business goals, their loftiest dream had come true-they had produced a successful motor car bearing their name. The Graham-Paige automobile was well on its way to becoming known in America and abroad as a quality car, backed by a successful management team, one giv