US C10 Experimental Airmail On Indian "Motocycle" Stationary

Snagged this one off ebay recently. Paid a little bit more than I would have wanted, especially considering its condition, but overall pretty happy. Nice cross-collecting appeal, I think.

Don't know too much about Indian Motorcycle other than that they were pretty popular in the 1920's.

The interesting spelling of "Motocycle" in the return address field certainly caused me to for a moment. Was this an accepted spelling at the time or a grammatical faux-pas on the person ordering the stationary?

Anyway, thought this one was worth sharing - hope you enjoy!

-P.Bear

That is actually really awesome as I love Indian motorcycles and what a great cover! Thank you for that!

The spelling "Motocycle" was apparently the legal name of the entity when it incorporated itself as "Indian Motocycle Company" in 1929:




Even their stock certificate (engraved by American Banknote Co.) used the "Americanized" term "Motocycle":

wt1,

Thanks for the information and the great scan of the stock certificate.

I wonder when the spelling "motocycle" died out - as clearly its fallen out of use, even in the "Americanized" lexicon.

Perhaps the state of public education isn't really as bad as everyone makes it out to be!

-P.Bear

"Motocycle" is said to be an "archaic" use of the term. In fact, if you Google-search the term (in quotes) you will find multiple meanings, including reference to 4-wheeled horseless carriages from that generation.

I guess it's pretty much in line with "aeroplane" migrating to today's term "airplane".

more Indian covers...

another...

agustanz,

Some really excellent covers! Having a hard time deciding which one is my favorite - I think they all bring something special to the table.

-PB

Here are some more I have (and might be selling)
Regards
Gavin


Better picture of the one above and it's back...

more.....

About that "motocycle" word. Indian used it, but Thor, Henderson and Marsh didn't on covers I have from that period.
Maybe it was because the guy behind Indian was Swedish??
Regards
Gavin

Collector of "Any philatelic material that depicts a motorcycle, or part thereof, or name of manufacturer, recognizable as being of ITALIAN ORIGIN."

VERY nice.

Here's a fun piece of trivia. As for the last air mail cover that has the red and blue striped border, it says on the back that it was "Designed by: Ben Dahlke, Buffalo, NY". Come to find out he was the owner of the patent approved by the PO Dept. for the air mail envelopes we all have come to know.

What I didn't know is based upon this link from Life Magazine, he was the first person in Buffalo, NY to be ARRESTED for Jaywalking and FINED the total sum of $1! It was apparently big enough news in 1937 that it made the November 8, 1937 issue of Life Magazine (see bottom of page 129 under heading "JAYWALKER"):

http://books.google.com/books?id=kD...ge&q&f=false

agustanz

I love your covers! I have been riding for 40+ years. When/if you decide to sell some of the Indian covers, please let me know.

I'd buy the Indian shown above now, if available. The back side is better than the front.

Art

I don't know about the spelling, but that logo/stock certificate would explain the term FLATHEAD

KirkS

Just some more infomation on the "motocycle" spelling... the two French covers I have from 1900 and 1899 both spell it "motocycle".

So that might add weight to the Indian spelling coming from the Indian man Oscar Hendstrom who was Swedish and might have bought that spelling with him from Europe?

regards
Gavin