Allen-Kingston Motor Car Co.
Kingston, New York (1908-1910)
Bristol, Connecticut (1910)
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| This is believed to be an Allen-Kingston radiator emblem (c1908) mjs Size: 68mm high 60mm wide MM: None |
Walter C Allen built some experimental cars called New York in Kingston, New York in 1906 and 1907. By 1908, Walter Allen had established the Allen-Kingston Motor Car Company and began production of the Allen-Kingston, which was also known as the A-K.
The first A-K cars were 40/45 hp four-cylinder models offered in runabout, touring and limosine body styles. The A-K did well in races in 1908, winning the Meadowbrook Sweepstakes in Long Island and the Independence Day Races in Long Beach, New Jersey. A Meadowbrook A-K model was offered in 1909, alongside several other models, including a very small 17 hp town car. A 36 hp A-K Junior model was introduced in 1910. But all was not well and the Allen-Kingston was finished later in 1910.
Emblems
The Allen-Kingston racer in the original photo from 1908 shown below carried a large brass A-K radiator script and what appears to be an oval-shaped, brass radiator emblem.
Similar emblems are seen in other original period photos of Allen-Kingston race cars, see the following examples, the first of which had a clear view of the emblem but, unfortunately, there is a fault in the negative right across the radiator emblem:
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| This is an Allen-Kingston racer showing a radiator script and emblem (1908) ms |
Similar emblems are seen in other original period photos of Allen-Kingston race cars, see the following examples, the first of which had a clear view of the emblem but, unfortunately, there is a fault in the negative right across the radiator emblem:
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| Allen-Kingston racer at the Briarcliff Trophy Race (1908) dpl |
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| Close up showing part of the radiator emblem |
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| Allen Kingston race car showing rad emblem & script (c1909) dpl |
It is believed that this first Allen-Kingston radiator emblem is the oval shaped brass emblem shown above at the top of this post. This Allen-Kingston radiator emblem was part of the Al Thurn collection and is extremely rare. The holes and the red paint are not original.
The Allen-Kingston name and the A-K logo were displayed on the hubcaps, see the hub emblem shown below. This original Allen-Kingston hub emblem is extremely rare.
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| This is an Allen-Kingston hub emblem (c1908-c1909) sam Size: 58mm diameter MM: Unknown (poss None) |
From 1909, regular Allen-Kingston models carried a smaller oval shaped radiator emblem and a round hub emblem with the A-K logo finished in a light color, possibly white enamel, on a dark, likely enamel background, color unknown, with the Allen-Kingston company name inscribed around the edge, see original period photo of an Allen-Kingston taxi shown below:
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| Allen-Kingston taxicab showing rad & hub emblems (1910) dpl |
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| Close up showing radiator & hub emblems |
I have not seen an original Allen-Kingston radiator emblem or hub emblem of this kind. If you have details of this Allen-Kingston radiator emblem or hub emblem, please let me know, in order to up date this post. Original examples of these Allen-Kingston emblems would be extremely rare and possibly ultra rare,
Emblem collectors should beware, however, as there are well made reproduction Allen-Kingston oval shaped radiator emblems and round hub emblems. These reproduction emblems are usually finished in red and white enamel and have no maker's mark, see example below.
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| This is a reproduction Allen-Kingston radiator emblem ms Size: 67mm high 60mm wide |
I have and oval shaped emblem like the one at the top of your post. Mine has a dark blue back round and also has 2 holes like yours. I also have a plate that reads,ALLEN KINGSTON A-K MOTOR CAR CO.3 WEST 44TH STREET
ReplyDeleteNEW YORK. Also a Keystone Wagon Works Reading Pa.emblem. Richard
I am interested to know more about your emblem. Please can you let me have your email address? Regards Mike
DeleteI have an oval emblem like the one at the top of your post with a blue back round. Also an emblem that reads,ALLEN KINGSTON A-K MOTOR CAR CO.
ReplyDelete3 WEST 44 TH STREET NEW YORK. ALSO ANOTHER EMBLEM that reads, BODY BUILT BY KEYSTONE WAGON WORKS, READING, PA. Richard