Lot 685: Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild Napoleonic Coach w/ Extensive Builder Archive

Award-winning Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild Napoleonic Coach model carriage, comprising a red, black, and gilt-painted chassis, coachman’s seat, and tug line; light blue and gilt-painted, leather strap-suspended body with tassels; fully lined velvet and ribbon passenger compartment; and velvet coachman’s cover with beaded tassels, all with fully articulated pieces. Marked “F” on hubs and shields on doors. The builder, Myron Webb, was a two-time winner: Once in the 1931 regional contest, and then he took 1st in the 1933 National Junior Contest, with a scholarship award of $5,000. The lot also includes a builder archive that consists of two (2) Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild 1931 certificates of completion or submission into competition, one (1) set of unused paper cutouts plus instructions housed in the original paper envelope, one (1) Wichita Beacon Chapter Fisher Body Craftsman Guild trophy with ring inscribed with recipient and 1932 year, two (2) white and red caps or berets with embroidered FBCF coach patches, and one (1) wooden stand with nameplate with Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild nameplate and 1930-1931 date. Lot also includes assorted c. 1930s ephemera related to the Guild’s meetings, events, and official dinners plus related personal letters included signage. Coach housed within Fisher Body’s original custom wooden box. Documents housed in a black Zanol products salesman’s case. Carriage approx. 10 1/4 in. H x 17 in. W (without tug line) x 29 1/2 in. L (with tug line) x 8 in. W. Stand: 20 in. x 12 in. Trophy: 9 in. x 15 in x 5 1/2 in. Berets: 11 in. dia. each. Cutouts and instructions: 16 in. x 13 in. Salesman’s case: 16 1/2 in. x 12 1/2 in. x 4 1/2 in. Box: 12 1/2 in. x 12 1/2 in. x 23 in. Historical Note: Beginning in the 1930s, the Fisher Body Company, working with General Motors in Detroit and Oshawa, held design competitions for teenage students. Early contestants built models of the company’s signature Napoleonic Carriage. The Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild became a key way to recruit young artistic talent, awarding twenty-four annual scholarships to boys aged 12–16 across Canada and the United States, ranging from $500 to $5,000 in 1933.

PROVENANCE: Private Kansas collection; acquired from original builder.

CONDITION: Scattered minute wear to paint and minor surface grime. Scattered minute losses to beaded tassels and decorative elements at rear. Discoloration of velvet commensurate with age. Tug line detached but included. Trophy bent and leans, with oxidation and denting, ring detached. Paper documents and ephemera with scattered toning, creasing, and losses, especially wear to edges. One certificate of completion is partially adhered to broken glass. Berets with insect damage and staining.