Rooted in the Pope Manufacturing Company established by Colonel Albert A. Pope in Boston in 1876, Pope-Hartford was one of the company’s numerous automotive marques. While first a highly successful bicycle manufacturer, the company commenced automobile production with the Pope-Waverley in 1897. In the ensuing years, the Pope Manufacturing Company became one of the largest car producers in America, with electric and internal-combustion vehicles to its credit. Colonel Pope passed away in 1909 and the company ceased production by 1914; nonetheless, Pope-Hartford pioneered mass-production techniques and the use of interchangeable parts throughout its existence, concepts soon capitalized upon by Henry Ford.

This Pope-Hartford hails from the marque’s first year of production in 1904. Two models were offered, the Model A Two-Passenger Runabout and the high-end Model B Four-Passenger Rear-Entrance Tonneau. Both utilized 10 hp, single-cylinder engines with two-speed planetary gearboxes and, for the $1,000 purchase price, were equipped with wooden fenders, a full tool set, and were available in blue, red, or dark green. Bearing a tag indicating it was built in compliance with the Selden Patent, to which Colonel Pope owned the rights, the Pope appears today much as it did when it was new.

According to Mark Smith’s records on file for the car, this Pope-Hartford was believed to have been sold new to John Hay, Secretary of State to President William McKinley and to President Theodore Roosevelt. In 1952, the Pope-Hartford was acquired by Bob Robinson Sr. from a Mr. Loper of Ocean City, New Jersey, who is believed to have been a long-term owner. Subsequent owners include Charlie Lowe Sr. of Newington, Connecticut in 1954, who retained the highly original Pope-Hartford until 1984, when he sold it to famed early car collector Louis Biondi of Woodbury, Connecticut. In 2003, respected collector Dick King of Redding, Connecticut, purchased the car from Mr. Biondi, selling it in 2007 to noted enthusiast Doug Magee. Undriven since the 1950s, the Pope-Hartford was entrusted to G & G Restorations of Proctorsville, Vermont for necessary minor repairs and careful recommissioning work without disturbing its wonderful originality. In notes on file, Mr. Magee stated that the mechanical components showed “little or no wear,” leading him to believe that the Model B was a particularly low-mileage example.

Given its exceptional integrity and authenticity, this Model B has served as a benchmark of originality for restorations of other surviving examples, with the body and chassis having never been fully disassembled and the upholstery quite possibly original, according to an account on file by Mr. Magee. In 2015, the Pope-Hartford was shown in the Prewar Preservation Class at Pebble Beach, where it earned a class award. Under Mr. Magee’s ownership, proper wicker side baskets were added as well as a deftly concealed electric starter. Additionally, it is supplied with its optional central-mounted brass headlight.

This historic Pope-Hartford was enthusiastically acquired by Mark Smith in 2019. Today, having been preserved and cherished by its respected group of caretakers, this important Pope-Hartford stands among the most original of the surviving examples and is a perfect choice to acquire as one of the most significant automobiles of the early 20th century.

*Please note that this Lot, like all vehicles in this Auction, has been in long-term static storage and may not be currently operational. It will require mechanical attention prior to any road use.

Gooding & Company presents and conducts the Estate of Mark Smith Auction under the authority of John J. Rendemonti, Executor of the Estate of Mark J. Smith, duly appointed by the Circuit Court of the State of New Hampshire, Probate Division, Case Number 312-2022-ET-00072. The Estate has compiled available title and/or registration paperwork for the Vehicles offered in the Auction and will provide such paperwork to the Buyer if it is available. However, as set forth more fully in the Conditions of Sale, neither the Estate nor Gooding makes any representation or warranty with respect to any existing certificate of title or registration with regard to any Lot in the Auction. Any Lot may be sold on a Bill of Sale. By participating in this Auction, all bidders and buyers recognize that Estate and Gooding have expressly disclaimed all such warranties concerning the availability or sufficiency of any title or registration documentation.