[ last update: 04.28.1999 ]

The (new) Cadillac Database©

Literature Section

Advertising Booklets and Catalogs
on the single-cylinder Cadillac models


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Frflag.jpg (773 bytes)
(en bas de page se trouve un résumé en français)

 

 

 

As an avid collector for forty years of Cadillac and LaSalle advertising material I am intrigued by all the "Booklets" and "Catalogs" to which the manufacturer refers in early advertisements for the marque.  I have copies of a few Cadillac catalogs and booklets back to 1902;  none of them appear to have an alphabetical, a numerical or an alpha-numerical code such as mentioned in these ads [see left hand column in the table below].

From correspondence exchanged with other Cadillac literature collectors, I am told that the codes used in these early Cadillac ads merely identified the magazine in which these ads were published; as to the booklets mentioned in the ads, all were the same. By thus identifying the ad source, Cadillac could better plan its subsequent ad campaigns to target the largest number of potential buyers.  Can anyone confirm this?

Having collected Cadillac merchandising and advertising literature for forty years, I tend to believe the foregoing explanation to be correct, with the exception, perhaps, of the earliest product brochures (1902-03), of which I believe up to five different ones were issued in that period.


 

 

Booklets mentioned in early Cadillac advertisements about the
Single-cylinder Cadillac models from 1902 to 1908

(the order listed is assumed to be the chronological order of publication)

Booklet
Code

Remarks on text or illustrations in advertisements

Assumed Date
Published

A

Shows Models A and B; cars are said to be are equipped with Goodrich tires; ad mentions the Model B "Surrey" with side openings, but  no doors.

1904

B

Shows the "Runabout" with tonneau; mentions "Buggy Top", $30.

1904

C

Mentions the independent (removable) tonneau; another ad mentions the Model B for 1904.

1904

D

Mentions Model B prices ranging from $750 to $900.

1904

F

The Model B is said to be fitted with Clincher tires; mentions improvements to the Model A; shows the Model B with tonneau.

1904

I

This booklet is referred to as a "Book"; the ad states that all Models A and B have Clincher tires.

1904

L

Mentions the feat of a Model A runabout climbing the Capitol steps.

1904

N

Tonneau seats are said to face either forward, or vis-a-avis; ad shows a 1903 model with rear tonneau; another ad mentions the 1904 Model B.

1904

O

Mentions Clincher tires on the Model A; illustrates the Model B.

1904

Q

Mentions the Model A.

1904

X

Shows the Model A with tonneau, a "car for all seasons", 4-30mph; Cadillac is said to be a member of the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers.

1904

AD

Mentions the new, 4-cylinder Model D costing $2800, the Model F costing $950, the Model B with tonneau costing $900, the Model E costing $750.

1905

AD

The item is described as a "catalogue"; it mentions Models K, M, H, L for 1906 (the 4-cylinder Model H is on a 100" wheel base and develops 30HP; the 4-cylinder Model L is on a 110" wheel base and develops 40 HP).

1906

B

The item is described as a "catalogue"; it mentions the Model C with tonneau costing$850, the Runabout costing $750 (Model E), the Model F Light Touring Car costing $950 (illustrated) and the 4-cylinder Car (Model D) costing $2800.

1905

1905
(catalogue)

Shows the Model E Runabout with top; mentions the performance of the Model F, starting on 7/18/1905.

1905

O

Mentions Models D, B, F, E.

1905

B

Mentions Models K, M, H for 1906.

1906

D

Mentions Models K, M, H, L for 1906.

1906

I

Mentions the 1906 line costing from $750 to $3750.

1906

O

Mentions Models K, M, H, L (1906).

1906

S

Mentions the Model K Runabout costing $750 and the Model M Light Touring Car, costing $950.

1906

D

Mentions the Model H (1907), plus Models K and M.

1906

J

Mentions Models M, K, H (Model L has gone).

1907

N

Mentions the Model H (1907) as well as Models K and M.

1907

O

1907

G O

Refers to the Model G, 20HP, 100" WB, $2000.

H O

Refers to the Model H, 30HP, $2500.

M O

Refers to the Model M, 10HP, 4-pass. car $950 and Model M Runabout $800.

V

Mentions the Model H (1907) as well as Models K and M.

1907

(AA)

1907

G AA

Refers to the Model G for 1908, costing $2000.

H AA

Refers to the Model H for 1908, costing $2500.

M AA

Refers to the Model M ($950) and Model K ($800) for 1908.

(AG)

(probably a mid-1908 publication)

1908

G AG

Refers to the Model G, costing $2000.

H AG

Refers to the Model H, costing $2500.

M AG

Refers to the Model M costing $950, the Model M Coupe costing $1350 and the Model K Runabout costing $800.

((18))

1907

G18

Refers to the Model G, on a 100" wheel base.

H18

Refers to the Model H, 30HP, 50mph, costing $2500.

T18

Refers to the Model S Runabout costing $850 and the Model T Touring Car costing $1000; it mentions also the booklet entitled "The Truth About the Automobile..."1

(AD)

Could code "AD" mean "Annual Dealer" booklet?

1907

G AD

Refers to the Model G, 20HP, costing $2000.

H AD

Refers to the Model H, 30HP, costing $2500.

M AD

Refers to the Model M, 10HP, costing $950 and the Model K, 10HP, costing $800 (the Models in the "AD" catalogue are advertised without lamps and horn).

(D)

A mid-year catalogue (it mentions a May 30 record by a Cadillac Model H).

1907

HD

Refers to the Model H, costing $2500.

GD

Refers to the Model G, costing $2000.

MD

Refers to the Model M, costing $950 and the Model K, costing $800.

(B)

1908

HB

Refers to the Model H, costing $2500.

GB

Refers to the Model G, costing $2000.

MB

Refers to the Model M, costing $950 and the Model K, costing $850 (was there a price increase for the Model K in 1908?)

(AH)

Shows the Model M costing $950, the Model K costing $800; the price range is from $800 to $1350; cars still are not delivered with lamps and horn.

1907

G AH

Refers to the Model G Touring Car, costing $2000.

H AH

Refers to the Model H, costing $2500.

M AH

Refers to the Model M (with either straight or Victoria body) costing $950, the Model M Coupe costing $1200, and the Model K Runabout costing $800.

C

1907

G C

Refers to the Model G costing $2000.

H C

Refers to the Model H costing $2500.

M C

Refers to the Model S costing $850 and the Model T costing $1000 (lamps and horn still not included in those prices).

J

1907

G J

Refers to the Model G costing $2000.

G H

Refers to the Model H costing $2500.

M H

Refers to the Model M costing $950 and the Model K costing $850.

(AN)

1907

G AN

Refers to the Model G costing $2000.

M AN

Refers to the Model M costing $950 and the Model K costing $800.

(H AN)

(Presumably the Model H also was mentioned in this brochure)

((10))

1908

T10

Refers to the Model S costing $850, and the Model T costing $1000; lamps and horn are now included; the ads mention the booklet "The Truth..." 1 (see below).

((15))

Shows the Model M costing $950; mentions the booklet "The Truth..." (see below).

1908

((17))

1908

T17

Refers to the Model S costing $850 and the Model T costing $1000; 16000 cars are said to be in use; the ad mentions the booklet "The Truth....." (see below).

((23))

1908

G23

Refers to the Model G costing $2000.

H23

Refers to the Model H costing $2500.

T23

Refers to the Models S and T; these cars now include lamps and horn; the ad mentions the booklet "The Truth....." (see below).

((26))

1908

G26

Refers to the Model G costing $2000.

H26

Refers to the Model H costing $2500.

T26

Refers to the Models T and S; all cars now are delivered with lamps and horns; the ad mentions the booklet "The Truth....." (see below).

((30))

Mentions the Model G costing $2000 and the booklet "The Truth..." (see below).

1908

((32))

1908

T32

"Rain or Shine" (mentions the closed models).

((34))

1908

G34

Refers to the Model G costing $2000.

H34

Refers to the Model H costing $2500.

T34

Refers to the Model T costing $1000 and the Model S costing $850; these prices include oil lamps and horn; the ad says to ask for booklet 34 entitled "The Truth..." (see below).

((40))

1908

H40

Mentions the Model H, 30HP, costing $2500

((41))

1908

G41

Refers to the Model G costing $2000.

H41

Refers to the Model H costing $2500.

T41

Refers to the Model S costing $850 and the Model T costing $1000.

((45))

T45

"Rain or Shine" (closed models); all cars now delivered with lamps and horns; the ad mentions the booklet "The Truth....." (see below).

1908

R

Mentions the 64-page Booklet "The Truth... " (see below).

1908

GR

Refers to the Model G costing $2000.

HR

Refers to the Model H, 50 mph, costing $2500.

TR

Refers to the Model S costing $850 and the Model T costing $1000.

((47))

1908

G47

Refers to the Model G, on a 100" wheel base, costing $2000.

H47

Refers to the Model H, 30HP, 50mph, costing $2500.

T47

Refers to the Model S costing $850, the Model T costing $1000 and the Model H; these 1908 ads state that the cars now are delivered with two oil lamps, tail-lamp and a horn; mentioned also is the booklet "The Truth....." (see below)

1 I have in the collection a copy of this booklet entitled The Truth About the Automobile  and What it Costs
   to Maintain One
; it contains hundreds of letters and affidavits from satisfied Cadillac owners.

 

 

 

Frflag.jpg (773 bytes)
( résumé en français)

Le tableau ci-dessus contient la liste des pubs d'époque, faisant partie de ma collection, où il est fait mention des catalogues Cadillac publiés en cours d'année et dont chacun porte un code alphabétique, numérique ou alpha-numérique (colonne de gauche). Le lecteur y est invité à demander à la firme tel ou tel catalogue en précisant le code en question.

A voir la liste, cela représenterait un très grand numbre de catalogues.  Une explication du "phénomène" me fut donnée, voici quelque temps, par un autre collectionneur de pubs d'époque; selon lui, ces codes servaient uniquement à identifier la revue dans laquelle le demandeur avait aperçu la pub en question.  De cette façon la firme entendait mieux cibler ses campagnes publicitaires ultérieures pour atteindre le plus grand nombre d'acheters potentiels.

L'explication me paraît plausible car je collectionne la doc Cadillac depuis quarante ans et n'ai jamais vu plusieurs catalogues des modèles mono-cylindriques d'une même année.  Une seule exception:  les tout premiers catalogues (ceux de 1902-03) dont il existe au moins cinq versions différentes.

 

 

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© 1996, Yann Saunders and the Cadillac-La Salle Club, Inc.
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