Albert Pope Founder Pope Manufacturing Bicycle/Auto Autograph W/LOA

Description

Albert Augustus Pope [1843 1909] was a transportation pioneer and the founder of Pope Manufacturing Company. Pope attended the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia where he acquired the American rights for bicycle patents. Pope then founded the  Pope Manufacturing Company, where he invented ball bearings in the moving parts of bicycles along with hollow steel tubes in cycle frames. Pope invested much of his time promoting the bicycle industry through clubs and racing events. In 1878 Pope designed and produced the Columbia High Wheeler bicycle which made his company the leading bicycle producer in the country. In 1896 Pope began designing and building automobiles and hired Hiram Percy Maxim as his chief engineer. In 1897, Pope Manufacturing built electric automobile in Hartford, Connecticut and produced over 500 vehicles. Pope designed and produced automobiles until 1907 and died in 1909. Listed for auction is the exceedingly rare autograph of Albert Augustus Pope signed on a Pope Columbia Bicycle Guarantee certificate. The certificate is attractive and decorated with ornate vignettes on the front and rear and contains a copyright date of 1892. The autograph is signed ''Albert A. Pope'' in black fountain pen next to his title as president. The certificate measures 7.25 x 3.00 inches, it has a trivial fold lines otherwise it is in fine condition
. The autograph is authentic, exceedingly rare to obtain and a desirable example of this transportation pioneer and is ideal for display. Letter of
Authenticity is included. Free shipping