May 21, 2020

ALLEN-KINGSTON

Allen-Kingston Motor Car Co.

Kingston, New York (1908-1910)

Bristol, Connecticut (1910)


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.

This is an Allen-Kingston racer showing a radiator script and emblem (1908)    ms


The oval-shaped emblem shown above at the top of this post was part of the Al Thurn collection and is believed to be an early A-K radiator emblem and is extremely rare. The holes are not original.

I have not seen another, original Allen Kingston radiator emblem. If you have details of a different A-K radiator emblem, please let me have a photo in order to update this post.

The A-K emblem shown below is an extremely rare, original Allen Kingston hub emblem:

This is an A-K hub emblem (1908-1910)    sam
Size: 58mm diameter   MM: Unknown (probably none)

Emblem collectors should beware, 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.

This is a reproduction Allen-Kingston emblem    ms







3 comments:

  1. 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
    NEW YORK. Also a Keystone Wagon Works Reading Pa.emblem. Richard

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    Replies
    1. I am interested to know more about your emblem. Please can you let me have your email address? Regards Mike

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  2. I 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.
    3 WEST 44 TH STREET NEW YORK. ALSO ANOTHER EMBLEM that reads, BODY BUILT BY KEYSTONE WAGON WORKS, READING, PA. Richard

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