The Revs Institute - The Premier Destination for Automotive Research

Jan/Feb 2019 edition
Issue #3 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Sharon Spurlin

In the main greeting area, is a beautiful mascot display which is always a part of the museum’s regular showings.  Pictured here are Nicole Diehm (Digital Projects Assistant Librarian), Lindsay Mancuso (Special Collections Coordinator), Will Cobb (Digital Project Assistant), Tom Roemer (Volunteer)and Mark Vargas (Chief Operating Officer). 

A recent visit to see The Revs Institute special presentation of automotive mascots, turned into a challenging, and exhilarating full day of, how can I possibly say everything there is to say about this wonderful institute in one short story?! The simple answer….  I can’t. 
​
The sheer volume of quality automobilia merits numerous visits and stories, not just one.  Revs has the largest digitized collection of over 500,000 historic automotive photographs available to the public, with requests answered within 24 hours - yep, there’s a story. In addition to that, they have a climate controlled archival library with over 1000 posters, over 24,000 books, and amazingly original 1950s and ‘60s Porsche manuals.  Yep, there’s another story...or three!

Staying on task was difficult, but I was there to see, and write about a temporary exhibition, featuring over 200 automotive mascots from the Miles Collier Collection, with contributions from Jon Zoler, a local collector. There were 8 temporary displays set up around the Institute titled “Rolling Sculpture Automotive Mascots.”
Starting in the main greeting area, there is a beautiful permanent display of mascots. These pieces are presented in a semi-circle showcase, and staggered vertically.  All are numbered, so museum guests can press corresponding numbers on an iPad to read the story belonging to each one. I chose #25 first, as my husband is a HUUUUGEEE Alabama fan. The 1920s “Elephant” from the Viennese foundry of Frank Bergman is said to symbolize strength, power and longevity… somehow fitting for the Crimson Tide. 

First of the temporary display was “Beyond Patina”, showing the very real nicks, scrapes, damage and weathering done to mascots, which were utilized as long as 80 years ago, not just displayed as pieces of art.  Patina - by definition.
​

Next was “Stories and More,” a collection of mascots that individually have interesting stories. My favorite story (even if rather macabre) was of the “Amilcar Pegasus II,” the logo for Amilcar by French sculptor Darel, circa 1920s-30s.  In 1927, the famous French-American dancer, Isadora Duncan was a passenger in an Amilcar, sporting her distinctive very long red scarf that symbolized her communist political beliefs. Her ride ended abruptly as the lengthy red scarf tangled in the spokes of a wheel, instantly yanking her from the car and breaking her neck.  A clear warning to future activists everywhere not to wear their political beliefs around their throats.

Amilcar Pegasus II

StGeorge and the Dragon

The 3rd display features “Mascotte d’Elegance”.  Those which were made solely as works of art to be displayed (most likely) on parade. 

The most impressive by far is, “St. George and the Dragon”, patron saint of England by Carl Thenn, circa 1920s.  A similar one was believed to be on Queen Elizabeth’s royal Bentley.

The 4th display features “Rolling Classics”.  Mascots which are iconic symbols for the notable automobile manufacturers, with some intriguing mysteries surrounding their origins and select singularities. 

Why did a rare Bentley mascot have only one wing?  Why did one of the rarer Rolls-Royce mascots have different, lower profile wings? 

Why did Henry Royce as legend has it, not drive a Rolls-Royce with a Spirit of Ecstasy mounted on its radiator cap?

Bentley One Wing

Alastation Dog with Chain

 “Animals, Animals, Animals” is the title to the 5th display.        Popular inspirations for design, custom mascots were often made of a favorite animal or pet. 

One such favorite is “Alsatian Dog with Chain”, a design inspired by rescue dogs, circa 1920s. 

The wise look in her eyes, portrays the intelligence these hard-working dogs must have in order to find and rescue victims of disaster.
​

“Whimsical Wonders” is the theme of the 6th display.  Not all mascots were designed around the serious or everyday objects.  Occasionally, novelty ruled the day! 

My favorite, “Grenouille Tirant une Coquille,” that’s “Frog Pulling a Shell” in English.  Made by French artist Paul Francis Louchet in 1923. 

Looking closely, there’s a rather natty little bug perched atop the shell, too.  Possibly a beetle?  Whimsical?  Yeah.

Grenouille Tirant une Coquille That’s ‘frog pulling a shell’, to you. But then you probably guessed that from the photograph. The work of French artist Paul Francis Louchet, it was completed in 1923. And we rather like it.

The 7th display was entirely dedicated to “Leading Ladies”. 
​Both beauty and style meet the road. The eighth and last display… “Need for Speed”.  These were designed to monitor engine temperatures, or to support local racing events.  Two of the mascots in this last display particularly caught my interest. 

RoyalAutomobile Cub Full Member.

“Royal Automobile Club Full Member”  for the private British auto club, 1910-20s.  If there was a crown on top, then it was for a “Full Member”.  No crown, just an “Associate Member”. 

Should you become a “Full Member” back in the early 1900s, not only did you receive all the privileges membership entails, but volunteers used to stand along the roadways to salute you.

Beware, should they neglect to salute you, it was best to ease off the gas, as this meant there was a speed trap ahead. 

All perfectly legal, if you could afford the prestigious full membership whose origins began over outrage of the egregious 20 mph speed limit of the times.

“Seagull,” by Jean Auscher for the Banville Garage 600-meter hill climb, circa 1920s.  It’s not what you’re thinking.  The hill referred to wasn’t quite a hill, or even a dale.   Entrants competed by climbing their 6-story parking ramp, one after the other, for the best time.  No actual birds, no grass, no hills, but I’ll wager it was still a bit of fun in a car park in Paris!

This special exhibition ended Dec. 29, 2018, and I must apologize as many of you won’t read this publication until after it is all over.  However, there is good news.  The beautiful permanent display of mascots is more than worthy for a visit, and you may view many more pieces from this special exhibition online at AutoMobiliaResource.com/features, or through the Revs Institute’s online resource at https://revslibrary.omeka.net/exhibits/show/rolling_sculpture/introduction

And now you know, The Revs Institute is an ultimate bucket-list worthy destination for automobilia aficionados!  Open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to the public.  Reservations required at 239-687-7387 or RevsInstitute.org

SS

Bonus below - some extra pictures and descriptions we didn't quite have room for in the printed magazine.

Flying Mascot, modeled after a Gnome 7-cylinder aircraft engine, circa 1920. Described as one of the least offensive mascots by reviewers, it not only looked great, but both the propeller and engine rotated in the wind generated by one’s foot upon the gas pedal.

Lifeboatman, a fundraiser for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, circa 1930s. Used to help educate the public on the dangers of British coastal waters and to help finance this very worthy cause.

Spirit of Ecstasy Short Wing, a very rare wing design for Rolls-Royce, 1920s. Even though this one has been re-chromed it is still quite valuable for its rarity. Another mystery as to how and why the different short-wing design was made. Perhaps Mr. Royce “clipped” her wings to improve his view?

Detailed Stork, possibly modeled after the Hispono-Suiza stork, circa 1920-30s. The amount of work in the details is staggering. An obvious labor of love for one of these beautiful winged creatures. It’s easy to picture her flying majestically over the wonderfully lengthy hood of a classic car from that time period.

Salmon, a design possibly depicting an owner’s hobby, circa 1920-1930s. It seems just the sort of mascot Guy Harvey’s great grandfather would have sported on his automobile. A perfect fit for the avid fisherman.

Rooster - this 1930s mascot featuring a cockerel crowing over a broken pot is undoubtedly mysterious.

Mr. Therm, logo for the British, Gas Light & Coke Company by Eric Fraser, circa 1931. Certainly whimsical, and looking a bit like he might have been blasted with some gas, too.

An entire case was dedicated to the “Leading Ladies” in the 6th display. Both beauty and style meet the road.

Dodge Brothers Boyce MotoMeter, engine temperature gauge, circa 1920s. Functional and beautiful!

Another mascot crafted by Jean Auscher for the Banville garage in Paris, this one dates back to the 1930s.

Indian Head, logo for Guy Motors’ commercial vehicles, circa 1920-1940s. “Feather In Our Cap” is written across the Indian’s headband. Every time a repeat customer came back and bought another vehicle, they would stick a feather in a cap they kept on display at the dealership. The feathers grew to such colorful numbers, that this became the symbol (and mascot) of their quite successful company at the time.

To read more great columns like this one...
Subscribe to AutoMobilia Resource

subscribe!