Oldest H-D letter???

[Chris Haynes]

A guy on eBay is selling copies of what he claims is the oldest H-D letter. So, is it real or a fantasy item? The signature below and ink stamp is interesting as I don't believe they were calling themselves Harley-Davidson CO. that early. They incorporated in 1907. What do you think?

[c.o.]

That is likely a copy that was obtained from George Yarocki. I'm pretty sure it's legit.

[T. Cotten]

I'm really confused.

(That happens all the time....)

What's the point of selling a copy when we can push ctrl + P ?


....Cotten

[darrylri]

I can't say if it's real or not, but there are so many details of it that don't look like a real business letter, especially of that era. There's not a full address listed at the top of where it's going. There are multiple grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors, which would not be acceptable for a company executive.

As the typewriter was a specialized piece of equipment then, most people would not have had any training on it, to use it. Therefore, secretaries and were specialists, and would have been careful to make their boss look good on paper, regarding spelling and punctuation at the least, which to my eye this example does not. And, if it was typed by a secretary, why do his/her initials not appear below the signature? OTOH, an exec was not likely to do his own typing; if he did his own typing, then why is there a stamp for the Harley-Davidson Motor Co. at the bottom rather than just typing it out.

[Chris Haynes]

As H-D was in its infancy in 1905, having produced only four motorcycles to that time, I doubt they had a secretary. I still wonder about the Harley-Davidson Motor CO. in 1905.

[LouieMCman]

I can't find it on eBay, can someone post the link, thanks.

[Chris Haynes]

I can't find it on eBay, can someone post the link, thanks.

It has been sold.

[T. Cotten]

My copy turned out fine.
Now what do I do with it?

...Cotten

[c.o.]

My copy turned out fine.
Now what do I do with it?

...Cotten

Put it in the mail???

[rwm]

anybody have one of the propellers they made?

[c.o.]

Rob, are you referring to the props for airplanes and ice sleds???

[rwm]

the reversible ones mentioned on the letterhead.

[c.o.]

Arrggg...note to self! "Retain what you read!!" O.K. Rob I guess we're talking about a marine prop then....