1615 San Francisco St., San Antonio, Texas 78201
Congratulations to Mel Cameron, who seems to be venturing out on
the big project of compiling and printing a gas-engine catalog
(only stationary; portable and skid; gas and oil, I presume, not
gas tractors?). I would like to suggest that, in all seriousness,
photographs be made of all engines that can be learned of and these
be printed in the catalog-album of Mel’s with all the spec. and
data, as to weight, prices, color of paint, striping, etc., also
the year built or advertised. This could be a long drawn out
project without a doubt, but with good pictures of just every
possible engine, besides the specs., such a Catalog-Album could be
sold for $15.00 at least.
First, all readers and interested parties should send Mel the
list of all the different engines they can muster and indicate
after each engine, whether or not he also has an illustration of
the engine, of which a camera-photo could be made, no photo-stat
copies. Most readers wouldn’t have copying equipment, but all
then could be asked to contribute all he can to this proposed
Catalog-Album by having his neighborhood camera shop and studio
make the pictures in black and white in the best size and
especially clear and sharp. Mel could, in turn, ask for a few
pictures from his big list of readers, checking the engine names
list for those who could get pictures made, starting out by asking
each reader to send him 2 or 3 pictures of certain engines; the
early ones and also last models, before electricity (REA) and the
hi-speed air-cools, to get the ball rolling. Then, as time goes on
and more pictures are needed, Mel could divide up his needs and ask
of those who have them to send other pictures. In print, I have
read there were at least 150 makes of gas engines.
I have several equipment directories; but I’d rather have
the authentic pictures of the engines and correct name and address
of the particular builder than to have the specs. only and no
picture. Someone, in all our list of collectors, probably has a
rare catalog; so he could supply pictures and specs. which would be
impossible otherwise, perhaps, because he has the only remaining
illustrated catalog on that particular make of gas engine. It will
cost all of us a little, but worth it!
