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The Cunningham Car Company of Rochester, New York, was one of America’s earliest and most distinguished automobile manufacturers. Operated by James Cunningham, Son & Company—a firm founded in 1836 as a carriage builder—the company transitioned from crafting fine horse-drawn vehicles to producing automobiles in 1896, placing it among the true pioneers of the American automotive age.
Cunningham automobiles were known for their exceptional build quality, conservative engineering, and luxury appointments. Unlike many early automakers that came and went quickly, Cunningham established a reputation for durability and refinement, producing touring cars, limousines, and custom town cars favored by affluent buyers. Their vehicles often featured large-displacement engines, meticulous coachwork, and premium materials, reflecting the company’s carriage-making heritage.
By the 1910s and 1920s, Cunningham focused almost exclusively on high-end, custom-built automobiles, competing in spirit with elite American luxury marques. However, the economic pressures of the late 1920s and the onset of the Great Depression made survival increasingly difficult for independent luxury manufacturers.
Production ceased in 1931, closing a remarkable 35-year chapter in early American automotive history. Today, surviving Cunningham automobiles are rare and highly regarded among co
THE FIND!
Offered here is an extraordinarily rare and highly important piece of early American automotive history — an original leather-bound salesman’s client book from the legendary Cunningham Car Company of Rochester, New York.
Used by a Cunningham Motor Cars salesman in the early 1920s, this compact 7\" x 4¼\" book was his working tool in the pursuit of selling one of America’s finest luxury automobiles. Inside are six original postcards/photographic images of Cunningham luxury cars, followed by detailed pricing sheets outlining base prices and special factory add-ons. A fold-out “Comparison of Prices” sheet dated November 12, 1920 compares Cunningham against elite competitors including Pierce-Arrow, Packard, Locomobile, Marmon, Cadillac, Lincoln, Stevens-Duryea, Lafayette, and Porter — a fascinating snapshot of the high-end automobile market just two years after World War I, complete with references to the federal “war tax.”
Most compelling are the 27 typed and handwritten pages listing prominent prospective clients, including Farney Wurlitzer and other notable names. Private notes such as “See chauffeur,” “Keep in touch,” and “Spring show” appear throughout, with entries extending as late as 1928 — offering an intimate glimpse into luxury automobile sales strategy during the Golden Age of motoring.
Condition: Structurally sound. The black leather exterior shows heavy wear from extensive handling; the top leather layer is chipped, and the spine leather is absent, exposing the metal base beneath.
An irreplaceable artifact of early American luxury motoring — and a once-in-a-lifetime acquisition for serious automotive collectors.
