Early Automobiles ─ A History in Advertising Line Art, 1890-1930

Image archivist and transportation historian Jim Harter follows his work, Early Farm Tractors, with an even larger collection of images from advertising line art from 1880 to 1930, this time focused onEarly Automobiles. Nearly 250 entrancing illustrations -- many suitable for framing -- are gems of the art of commercial engraving. Harter provides a very substantial, detailed history of the development of the "horseless carriage" into the brands famous from the early 20th century -- racers like Stutz, Dusenberg, Stanley, as well as those that became household names like Oldsmobile, Ford, Chrysler and others. Of special interest are the dozens of successful electric automobiles that flourished for 25 years. The history includes many colorful anecdotes about early long-distance races as well as interesting details of engineering breakthroughs.

Jim Harter was largely self-taught as an artist. He played a small part in creating posters for Austin’s legendary rock venues, the Vulcan Gas Company and Armadillo World Headquarters. Influenced by San Francisco collage artist Wilfried Satty, Harter turned to making surrealist collages from 19th century engravings. Two books of his collages,Journeys in the Mythic Sea and Initiations in the Abyss have been published, as well as two railroad history books illustrated entirely with Victorian engravings. In 1986, Harter moved to San Antonio, Texas where he remains today.