Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

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Even though it is not a 1928-31 Model "A", we thought you would enjoy this photo taken in 1904 of Henry Ford’s first Model “A”s with a group of interesting looking characters in front of Pitzer’s Pool and Billiard Parlor and Sheppe’s Drug Store in Charlottesville, Virginia. As always we have a full and interesting post with many more photos and info about it to enjoy at The Old Motor.

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

Today them 4 men in a A would get even more attention,even though could be first car seen by on-lookers

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

Wow, what a photo. There is a dozen good stories in that shot. Look at the contrasts. Poor young boy, wealthy young boy beside each other, look at the mustache on the guy in the Drug Store doorway. And what do you suppose the follow is doing standing on the crate? A Barker? Snake oil salesman? That guy in the front passenger seat has a smug look of rising above the crowd on his face. Looks like he is a big frog in a small pond. Showing off to his buddies in the pool hall? Not the best end of town either. The driver looks a little like a Hired Driver. Interesting photo, one could write a novel around that photo.

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

Great picture.:)

So, Colonel Sanders started out owning a pool hall?:D

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

Very well said! My wife is looking over my shoulder and I read to her what you wrote. She thinks the same way you do, and likes your observations of the photo.

What a cast of characters!

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

My guess... The old guy in the drugstore doorway is a Civil War vet. He's wearing his last pair of sky blue hand-stitched wool kersey Schuylkill arsenal trousers, issued at Gettysburg July, 1863. :)

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

What a great photo ! I'd bet that at least one of the gents in that photo are a relative...

Mom's folks are from Albemarle, Green, and Rockingham Counties. :)


:cool:

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

Looks like some of the places in Newark, Essex Co, NJ where I diddled away some of my misspent youth, But Not for long! But I do enjoy Pool!
Terry

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

And everybody in long-sleeve shirts with ties and hats. It probably didn't get as routinely hot back then as it does now, but still, I wonder if people were uncomfortable dressed so formally

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

TOM! the guy at the drugstore has a mustache like you!!:D

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

It is nice to see that even the first Model A leaked oil all ove rthe ground......

Great photo thanks for sharing

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

If anybody is from Chrolletsville, and can do some research as to the exact spot as to where that photo was taken...how about a current photo...New Ford convertible (if there is such a thing) add some people as to what the shot was as it is now...

What a great photo and agree on the Civil War pants!

Pluck

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

What is the "Castorin" on the window?
What are those old guys thinking about the car?

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

Interesting photo, Has anybody noticed that car is right hand drive

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

[QUOTE=Bluebell;673385]What is the "Castorin" on the window?
What are those old guys thinking about the car?[/QUOTE
The old guys were probably thinking how irrisponsible youth are, driving around in those loud, smoky, smelly contraptions.

Castorin was (is) a powder made from Caster Oil. Probably was a preparation used as a Laxitive.?

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

The crew in the car look like Pinkertons to me.

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

You rarely see someone smiling in the old photos.
Maybe they didn't think the "good old days" were so good.:D

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

Plus, I think a lot probably had bad teeth.

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

Heed the warning before it's too late!
Watch for the tell-tale sign of corruption!
The moment your son leaves the house,
Does he re-buckle his knickerbockers BELOW the knee?
Is there a nicotine stain on his index finger?
A dime novel hidden in the corn crib?
Is he starting to memorize jokes from Capt.
Billy's Whiz Bang?
Are certain words creeping into his conversation?
Words like 'swell?"
And 'so's your old man?"
Well, if so my friends,
Ya got trouble,
Right here in River City!
With a capital "T"
And that rhymes with "P"
And that stands for POOL.

Joe K

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

My very favorite Broadway musical, EVER ! :)

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

You know, I have always wondered that. Do you think it was a social custom dating from the origin of photography when exposure times were long so you had to sit there like a stone image?

I've noticed that even in Dad's college yearbook from the 1930s, the students usually did not smile.

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

Not only that but notice how slender everyone was, no walmarters in sight.

Re: Check out Henry's "First" Model A Ford in a Very Interesting Photo
 

No teeth whiting back then .