American Auto Emblems

This web-site presents the nameplates, emblems and logos displayed on American auto vehicles from the introduction of the horseless carriage up to about 1950. My intention is to provide a reference base for collectors and researchers. I would welcome any corrections or observations and details of other emblems or vehicle makes to add to this reference base. For more details see the Pages listed on the right. (Contact Mike Shears at murraysbadges@gmail.com)

May 21, 2020

ALLEN-KINGSTON

Allen-Kingston Motor Car Co.

Kingston, New York (1908-1910)

Bristol, Connecticut (1910)

This is believed to be an Allen-Kingston radiator emblem (c1908) mjs
Size: 68mm high 60mm wide MM: None

Walter C Allen built some experimental cars called New York in Kingston, New York in 1906 and 1907. By 1908, Walter Allen had established the Allen-Kingston Motor Car Company and began production of the Allen-Kingston, which was also known as the A-K.

The first A-K cars were 40/45 hp four-cylinder models offered in runabout, touring and limosine body styles. The A-K did well in races in 1908, winning the Meadowbrook Sweepstakes in Long Island and the Independence Day Races in Long Beach, New Jersey. A Meadowbrook A-K model was offered in 1909, alongside several other models, including a very small 17 hp town car. A 36 hp A-K Junior model was introduced in 1910. But all was not well and the Allen-Kingston was finished later in 1910.

Emblems

The Allen-Kingston racer in the original photo from 1908 shown below carried a large brass A-K radiator script and what appears to be an oval-shaped, brass radiator emblem.

This is an Allen-Kingston racer showing a radiator script and emblem (1908) ms

The oval-shaped emblem shown above at the top of this post was part of the Al Thurn collection and is believed to be an early A-K radiator emblem and is extremely rare. The holes are not original.

I have not seen another, original Allen Kingston radiator emblem. If you have details of a different A-K radiator emblem, please let me have a photo in order to update this post.

The A-K emblem shown below is an extremely rare, original Allen Kingston hub emblem:

This is an A-K hub emblem (1908-1910) sam
Size: 58mm diameter MM: Unknown (probably none)

Emblem collectors should beware, as there are well made reproduction Allen-Kingston oval shaped radiator emblems and round hub emblems. These reproduction emblems are usually finished in red and white enamel and have no maker's mark, see example below.

This is a reproduction Allen-Kingston emblem ms

3 comments:

Unknown27 July 2020 at 13:13
I have and oval shaped emblem like the one at the top of your post. Mine has a dark blue back round and also has 2 holes like yours. I also have a plate that reads,ALLEN KINGSTON A-K MOTOR CAR CO.3 WEST 44TH STREET
NEW YORK. Also a Keystone Wagon Works Reading Pa.emblem. Richard
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Unknown27 July 2020 at 13:21
I have an oval emblem like the one at the top of your post with a blue back round. Also an emblem that reads,ALLEN KINGSTON A-K MOTOR CAR CO.
3 WEST 44 TH STREET NEW YORK. ALSO ANOTHER EMBLEM that reads, BODY BUILT BY KEYSTONE WAGON WORKS, READING, PA. Richard
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