THE TRAVEL DESK OF WILLIAM C. DURANT - FOUNDER OF GENERAL MOTORS + More

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

THE TRAVEL DESK OF WILLIAM C. DURANT - FOUNDER OF GENERAL MOTORS + More:
$34999.99

This listing is for the travel desk of William C. Durant. I'm also including a collection of his early photos, early automotive magazines, early books, letters to him, one letter from him (signed 'Billie Durant'), and concluding with a letter of condolences to his widow. This collection was purchasedin the early 1980's.A few Durant items were sold off over the years, but hopefully the rest will be kept together, possibly in a museum, personal collection, or as a display in a GMC, Chevy, Buick, or Cadillac dealer's showroom. It's difficult for me to part with it, but the time is long overdue. Mr. Durant died in 1947 and his second wife passed away in 1974. Mr. Durant had two children, Russell Clifford Durant (1890-1937), and Margery Pitt Durant (1887-1969). This collection offers a tangible connection to one of the most significant figures in automotive history. 1. The highlight of this collection is obviously Mr. Durant's beautiful monogrammed travel desk, age unknown, with two glass ink holders.
2. Next is a volume that I feel to be on par with the desk, and in my opinion, surpasses it in historical importance. This is a bound volume of Engineering Magazine; July-Dec., 1875. A letter found in an envelope glued to the inside front cover reveals its significance. It is a letter written to Mrs. Durant from a Thomas F. Whitaker, on the stationary of Rockwell House, Glens Falls, N.Y. (n.d.):
"My dear Mrs. Durant, It is with great distress I learned of Billie's recent bout. By the time the package reaches him, I hope he will be up to snuff and ready for new endeavors. Enclosed is a volume which contains an article on page 516 which Billie always said was the Holy Grail of General Motors. I "wrestled" it away from Billie many years ago, and have kept it near and dear ever since. I have now decided to allow Billie act as its custodian for the next fifty years. My fondest thoughts, Thomas F. Whitaker"
The subject of the article in the Engineering Magazine bound volume is the early Otto and Langen gas engine, including diagrams. Someone has also penciled notations and highlighted certain paragraphs.
I did a quick online search for the Otto and Langen gas engine: "Three types of internal combustion engines were designed by German inventors Nicolaus Otto and his partner Eugen Langen.The models were a failed 1862 compression engine, an 1864 atmospheric engine, and the 1876 Otto cycle engine known today as thepetrol engine. The engines were initially used for stationary installations, as Otto had no interest in transportation. Other makers such as Daimler perfected the Otto engine for transportation use."
There's a wealth of information regarding the engine's development, as well as YouTube videos of replica engines in operation.
3. An interesting Dec. 31, 1943 letter from "Billie Durant" to Harry Newman: "I have a Russian proposition that bothers me, but am not in the position to give you details at this time." Mr. Durant may have had a change of heart and never mailed it.4. 1925 Durant Motors, Inc. Balance Sheet, showing a net income of $29,913.08.
5. A 1942 GMC press release.6. July 29, 1925 GMC 13-page draft concerning the invention of a stabilizer and shock absorber.7. March 15, 1947 letter from J.H. Newmark of Miami, to Mrs. Durant, inquiring about Mr. Durant's health.8. August 23rd, 1945 letter from J. Parker B. Fiske to Mr. Durant regarding world peace and the new United Nations.9. April 11, 1945 letter to Mr. Durant from G.H. Moriarty, Chief of Aircraft Components Disposal, War Assets Administration.10. April 6, 1934 letter from H.F. Cuntz, Patent Attorney, to Mr. Durant, regarding the cost of a patent.11. Nov. 17, 1922 letter from Pomeroy Motor Company to Mr. Durant, regarding the issuance of stock in the Pomeroy-Day Land Company to Catherine L. Durant.12. Jan. 15, 1923 letter from the Pomeroy Motor Company regarding the issuance of stock to Catherine L. Durant.13. Durant Motors, Inc. Consolidated Financial Statement. Aug, 27, 1927.
14. 8 1/2" x 11" 2-page color advertising brochure for the Locomobile Company of Bridgeport, Conn.15. Fold-out 3-page 8" x 14" 1928 color advertising brochure for Peugeot.16. Letterhead has been cut off: A letter from Russell McFarland (note: Mr. McFarland was instrumental in obtaining a pension for Mr. Durant after the fall of Durant Motors). In this letter, Mr. McFarland notes receiving the news of Mr. Durant's passing and funeral, and expressing a desire to find his manuscript: "IT WAS A GREAT STORY - IT OUGHT TO BE PUBLISHED AT LENGTH. I hope you can see to it - some way."17. June 10, 1946 letter from the editor of The Detroit Newsto Mr. Durant regarding sending him the 72-page Automotive Golden Jubilee edition of The Detroit News commemorating the 50th year of automobile production in Detroit.18. Jan. 1894 edition of Trade Magazine ("Helpful Hints to Merchants and Businessmen").19. April 16, 1927 issue of Henry Ford's "The Dearborn Independent".20. "GETTING A GUSHER." March 20, 1916. A single-page sales come-on that appears to be disguised as a news article on cheap paper, shilling for the 'greatest producer ever drilled in Red Fork district."21. Clipping from the April 29, 1942 New York Times, including a photo of Mr. and Mrs. Durant at the Automobile Old Timers meeting.22. 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" photo of Mr. Durant with his dog. Mounted in an 8" x 11" photo holder.23. Two automobile photos: 8" x 10" and a large 10" x 14" photo of an automobile with four gentlemen wearing straw hats. I am taking the liberty of assuming one is a young William Durant.
With the exception of 'Menlo Park Reminisces', all books have a 'W.C. Durant' stamp or an embossed 'WCD'. The above mentioned Dearborn Independent has the embossed 'Desk of WCD' on the cover. See photo.24. A.L.A. Automobile Green Book. 1930-31.
25. Historic Michigan. Flint and Michigan County.26. Wall St. Wisdom. 1922.27. Guide to the Natural Treasures of New York City. 1916.28. Menlo Park Reminisces. Dearborn, Michigan. 1936.29. Internal Combustion Engines. Theory and Design. Robert L. Streeter. 1915.30. A guide to the Works of Art in New York City. 1916.31. Four 'Automotive Industries' magazines: June 19, 1919, July 3, 1919, March 18, 1920, May 27, 1920. Each one has a barely legible 'General Motors - Office of William C. Durant' stamp on the cover.Please note:
I have been selling on since 2000 with a 100% satisfaction rating,so with that in mind, I'd like to offer some food for thought to the folks who will be suggesting that I donate this collection to a museum. Unfortunately, that will never happen. However, feel free to purchase it yourself, and then you can donate it to whomever you choose. That would be wonderful.
SHIPPING INFORMATIONAfter payment, the purchaser or purchaser's agent, may pick up the Durant collection in person at its Delaware location. If the purchaser lives within the contiguous United States, the deed can also be delivered by the purchaser's shipper of choice after receipt of payment. If the purchaser resides outside of the contiguous United States, the purchaser will also be responsible for arranging shipping.
Returns accepted within 14 days if the item is not as shown or described.
I also have the original 1763 Oliver DeLancey/Charles Apthorp deed for the Upper West Side of Manhattan listed this week.
Thanks for looking.Wayne