[Seattle] Automobile Show [April 4-9, 1921 at the Seattle Arena and Hippodrome. A sensational photo album with 30 linen-backed silver gelatin images vividly portraying the Oriental theme with Moorish-inspired entrance, stunning exhibits of Jazz Age automobile advertising, and the 150 autos displayed at the Third Annual show in Seattle, and by far its most successful].

[Seattle, WA: William Jennings Coyle, Motor Car Dealers’ Association of Seattle, 1921]. Oblong 4to. (11.5 x 7.75 in.) 30 silver gelatin photos (7.5 x 9.5 in.), backed in khaki-coloured linen, mounted on white linen hinges, most w/ negative number in corner of image. Contemporary simulated textured black leather post-binder, rounded corners, gilt stamped title & place on front cover (some stamping rubbed out, rubbing head & foot of spine, minor edgewear, slight bumping to corners), still a VG copy w/ fine crisp photos. This outstanding photo album provides irreplaceable historical documentation of one of the most successful Automobile Shows held after World War I in Seattle, Washington. Coyle and the other show organizers intended it to provide the backdrop for forming the Washington Automotive Trades Association, and this exhibition saw the new factory offerings from Sheridan Motor Car Company of California managed by Eddie Rickenbacker, as well as the 1921 Briscoe, the Paige 6-66 Larchmont, the Nash Four Coupe, Oldsmobile Roadster, and of special note the Auburn Roadster. The venue was filed with Ottoman inspired motifs, palm trees and Persian rugs served as backgrounds, massive wrought-iron Oriental Lambs, designed by Charles W. Goodman (show decorator), as well as specially outfitted Oasis seating areas. The first two images in the album show the outside marquee, neon signage, the massive Ottoman-inspired tent erected between the Hippodrome and the Arena, and even the Paige 6-66 setting on the street. This 1921 Automobile Show vastly expanded the number of accessory displays and manufacturers, and the photos reveal the advertising booths for Gill Piston Rings, Hassler Shock Absorbers, Standard Oil Company, Angelus Tire Covers including those for Stutz, and 1 with swastika motif; Wire and solid wheels display for Hayes, Disteel, Rudge Whitworth, and Pasco Wire Wheel companies; Alemite Lubricating systems display with large photo showing Fatty Arbuckle setting on his front bumper servicing his own car; Stewart meters, gauges, windshields, and lights; the Suess Glass Co.; Exide batteries; and others. The 1921 automobile models exhibited included those from Liberty, Lexington, Studebaker, Ford, Cadillac, Buick, Premier, Franklin, Hudson, Cole, Reo, Chevrolet, Dort, Willys Overland, Dodge Brothers, Allen Motor Co., Roamer, and many others. Special mention should be made of the wonderful booths for the Seattle Taxicabs built by Yellow Cab Manufacturing of Chicago, IL, with cutout bellhop, and special Ohmer Printing Taximeter, along with the Pacific Airways Co. booth with massive banner poster portraying the seaplane flight from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. by air in 90 minutes. Coyle (1888-1977) was best remembered in Seattle as quarterback and captain of the University of Washington Football team under legendary coach Gil Dobie, who from 1908-1911 was the only quarterback in the history of football to play four years without losing a game. He later practiced law in Spokane at Gonzaga University, received the Distinguished Service Cross for action as a Captain in the A.E.F. in World War I with the 363rd Infantry Regiment, 91st Division, later owned the L.M. Cline Motor Company Ford Sales & Service Agency beginning in 1921, also served as Washington State Lieutenant Governor from 1921 to 1925, and went onto manage Seattle’s Civic Auditorium from 1928-1953. See: Motor West, Volume 35, pp. 23-24, April 15, 1921; Sunday Oregonian, March 27, 1921.