Duplex Truck Company Records
00108

Summary Information

Repository
Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
Creator
Duplex Truck Company.
Title
Duplex Truck Company records
ID
00108
Date [inclusive]
1909-1955
Extent
3.0 Cubic feet , 12 volumes on shelf.
Language
English

Preferred Citation note

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: "Item title, Collection title, Collection Identifier, Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections, East Lansing,Michigan".

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Historical Note

The Duplex Power Car Company was founded in 1909 in Charlotte, Michigan, and produced mostly trucks and truck-related machinery until it was reorganized into the Duplex Truck Company in 1916. The Duplex Truck Company was a prominent builder and supplier of trucks to private companies as well as government agencies during the years between 1916 and 1955. In 1955 Warner and Swasey Company purchased the Duplex Truck Company and the Duplex division closed in 1975.

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Scope and Contents note

This collection consists of the records of the Duplex Power Car Company and the Duplex Truck Company. Included in these records are articles of association, correspondence, patent certificates, reports of audits from 1917 to 1955, as well as profit and loss statements for the same years. Also found in the collection are stock certificates from 1916 to 1955, stockholders records and minute books of meetings, records of agreements regarding labor conditions and land purchase, circuit court records, and other documents relating to the company.

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Organization of the Records

These records are organized into 3 series

  1. The Duplex Power Car Company, 1909-1915
  2. The Duplex Truck Company, 1916-1955
  3. Photographs

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections

Conrad Hall
888 Wilson Road, Room 101
East Lansing , MI, 48824
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu

Revision Description

  November 2011

Conditions Governing Access note

Collection is open for research.

Legal Status

Copyright: Michigan State University Property Rights: Michigan State University

Conditions Governing Use note

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Custodial History

Gift of Duplex Division, Warner and Swasey Co., 1975-10-17.

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Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

  • Duplex Power Car Company.
  • Warner & Swasey.
  • Warner & Swasey.

Genre(s)

  • Commercial correspondence
  • Periodicals
  • Photographs

Geographic Name(s)

  • Charlotte (Mich.)

Subject(s)

  • Advertising -- Automobiles
  • Automobile industry and trade
  • Automobile industry and trade -- Michigan
  • Automobiles -- Parts
  • Corporations -- Auditing
  • Legal documents
  • Stock certificates
  • Trucks

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Collection Inventory

Duplex Power Car Company 1909-1915 

Box Folder

Articles of Association -- September 22, 1909 

1 1

Assignment of Letters of Patent -- 1909 

1 2

Patent Certificate - U.S. Motor Vehicles -- 1910 

1 3

Patent Transfer Agreement - Messler and Bollstrom -- 1911 

1 4

Report of Audit -- 1911 

1 5

Certificates of Capital Increase -- 1911, 1915 

1 6

Loan Certificate -- July 1915 

1 7

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Duplex Truck Company 1916-1955 

Box

Correspondence 

1
Box Folder

Peter A. Lorenz -- December - February 1916 

1 8

Howard M. Leonard -- 1918 

1 9

Patents -- November 1918 

1 10

Newbrough, Harper and Potter -- March 1924 - April 1925 

1 11

Carl A. Bergmann Case -- May - June 1925 

1 12

 1927 

1 13

James H. Robinson Case -- December 1938 - August 1940 

1 14

Michigan Corporation and Securities Commission -- February - June 1941 

1 15

 1942-1953 

1 16

Sperry Gyroscope Co., Inc. -- 1943-1945 

1 17

 July 1951 - January 1953 

1 18
Box Folder

Statement of Organization of Company Duplex Truck Company -- 1916 

1 19

Articles of Association -- 1916 

1 20-21

Purchase Agreement, Frank P. Town -- October 1916 

1 22

Agreements, Frank P. Town -- 1916, 1920 

1 23

Subscribers Records -- November 1916 

1 24

Patent Assignment Certificate, Howard M. Leonard -- 1916 

1 25

Certificate of Letters of Patent -- 1916 

1 26
Box

Transfer of Patent Documents 

1
Box Folder

 1916 

1 27

 1917, 1918 

1 28
Box Folder

Assignment of Inventory Certificates -- 1920, 1921 

1 29

Dyer Patent License and Correspondence -- 1921, 1923, 1924 

1 30

Patent Certificate 

Box Folder

U.S. - Variable - Speed Gearing -- 1917 

1 31

U.S. - Pivoted Supports for Motor Vehicles -- 1919 

1 32

U.S. - Radiators -- 1919 

1 33

U.S. - Variable - Speed Gearing -- 1919 

1 34

U.S. - Radiators -- 1920 

1 35

Canada - Radiators -- 1920 

1 36-37

U.S. - Radiator Mountings -- 1920 

1 38

Mexico - Trade Mark "Duplex" -- 1920 

1 39

Canada - Variable Speed Gearing -- 1920 

1 40

U.S. - Axles -- 1921 

1 41

U.S. - Driving - Gearing -- 1921 

1 42

Canada - Radiator Mountings -- 1922 

1 43

Report of Audit 

Box Folder

 November 1, 1917 - October 31, 1918 

1 44

 November 1, 1918 - October 31, 1919 

1 45

 November 1, 1919 - October 31, 1920 

1 46

 November 1, 1920 - October 31, 1921 

1 47

 December 31, 1923 

1 48

 December 31, 1924 

1 49

 December 31, 1925 

1 50

 December 31, 1926 

1 51

 December 31, 1928 

1 52

 December 31, 1929 

1 53

 December 31, 1930 

1 54

 December 31, 1931 

1 55

 December 31, 1932 

1 56

 December 31, 1936 

1 57

 December 31, 1937 

1 58

 December 31, 1938 

1 59

 December 31, 1939 

1 60

 December 31,1940 

1 61

 December 31, 1941 

1 62

 December 31, 1942 

1 63

 December 31, 1943 

1 64

 December 31, 1944 

1 65

 December 31, 1945 

1 66

 December 31, 1946 

1 67

 December 31, 1947 

1 68

 December 31, 1948 

1 69

 December 31, 1949 

1 70

 December 31, 1950 

1 71

 December 31, 1951 

1 72

 December 31, 1952 

1 73

 December 31, 1954 

1 74

 September 30, 1955 

1 75

Profit and Loss Statements 

Box Folder

 1917-1923 

1 76

 1926-1932 

1 77

 1933-1939 

1 78

 1948 

1 79

 1955 

1 80

Condensed Balance Sheets 

Box Folder

 April 30, 1925 

1 81

 January 1 - December 31, 1933 

1 82

 December 31, 1934 

1 83

 December 31, 1935 

1 84

 December 31, 1936 

1 85

 December 31, 1938 

1 86

 December 31, 1940 

1 87

 December 31, 1941 

1 88

 December 31, 1944 

1 89

 December 31, 1945 

1 90

 December 31, 1948 

1 91

 December 31, 1949 

1 92

 December 31, 1950 

1 93

 December 31, 1951 

1 94

 December 31, 1952 

1 95

 December 31, 1954 

1 96

Monthly Balance Sheets 

Box Folder

 April 1930, April - June, 1931 

1 97

 July - September 1931 

1 98

 October - November 1931 

1 99

 January - June 1948 

2 1

 July - November 1948 

2 2

 January - June 1949 

2 3

 July - November 1949 

2 4

 January - June 1950 

2 5

 July - November 1950 

2 6

 January - June 1951 

2 7

 July - November 1951 

2 8

 January - August 1955 

2 9

Comparative Statements 

Box Folder

 1937-1941 

2 10

 1947-1948 

2 11
Box Folder

Minutes of First Meeting of Board of Directors -- 1916 

2 12

Waiver of Notice of Directors Meetings -- 1921 

2 13

Resolution of Board of Directors -- 1937 

2 14

Certificate to Sell Common Stock, Michigan Securities Commission -- May 1917 

2 15

Certificate of Decrease of Capital Stock -- 1925 

2 16

Amendment to Stock Value -- 1936 

2 17

List of Stockholders -- 1916 

2 18

Waiver of Notice, Appointment of First Meeting of Stockholders -- November 1916 

2 19

Report to Stockholders 

Box Folder

 1920 

2 20

 1923 

2 21

Stockholders Balance Sheet Report 

Box Folder

 1941-1950 

2 22

 1951-1955 

2 23
Box Folder

Stockholders Report -- 1955 

2 24

Proxy Statements, Transfer to Warner and Swasey Co. -- 1955 

2 25

Ballots, Transfer to Warner and Swasey Co. -- 1955 

2 26-27

Returned Dividend Checks, Dividend Statements -- 1919-1953 

2 28

Stock Certificates 

Box Folder

 December 5-11, 1916 

2 29

 December 11-12, 1916 

2 30

 December 13, 1916 

2 31

 December 1916 

2 32

 December 3, 1917 

2 33

 December 4, 1917 

2 34

 December 5, 1917 

2 35

 June - July 8, 1920 

2 36

 July 10 - August 3, 1920 

2 37

 August 5 - September 14, 1920 

2 38

 June - November 1923 

2 39

 December 1923 - February 1924 

2 40

 March - May 1924 

2 41

 June - September 1924 

2 42

 March 15-16, 1926 

2 43

 March 16, 1926 

2 44-45

 March 16, 1926 

2 46

 March 18, 1926 

2 47

 March 20, 1926 

2 48

Brokers Certificates 

Box Folder

 1919-1946 

2 49

 1952-1955 

2 50
Box Folder

Certificates of Stock Transfer -- 1920-1953 

2 51

Record, Locations of Trucks and Equipment Sold -- March 12, 1920 - December 4, 1931 

2 52

Truck Sales Record -- 1940-1952 

2 53

Land Purchase Agreements -- 1916, 1923 

2 54

Land Purchase Agreement - Charlotte, Michigan -- 1925 

2 55

Agreement with Alder Manufacturing Co. -- January 15, 1917 

2 56

Agreement with Hauser-Owen-Ames Company -- June 1, 1917 

2 57

Agreements, Thomas Inventions -- 1919, 1921 

2 58

Agreement - Duplex Sales and Service Co. -- 1927 

2 59

Authorization - Washington Rapid Transit Co. -- 1929 

2 60

Wage Agreement, Schedule of Classification and Rates 

Box Folder

 1947 

2 61

 1948, 1950 

2 62
Box Folder

U.A.W. Contract Settlements -- 1952, 1953 

2 63

Receipts for Loans -- August 1916 - January 1917 

2 64

Income Tax Return -- 1916 

2 65

Insurance Documents -- 1920, 1930, 1947 

2 66

Probate Court Certificate, Carrie C. Brown -- March 26, 1922 

2 67

Circuit Court Records -- 1925 

2 68

Circuit Court Statements, Horton H. Bryan and Trueman L. Gillete -- January 1925 

2 69

Documents 

Box Folder

Carl A. Bergmann Case -- May - June 1925 

2 70

James H. Robinson Case -- December 1938 - January 1941 

2 71
Box Folder

Authority to Open Account Documents -- 1955 

2 72

Documents, Retirement of President and Vice President -- 1955 

2 73

Newspaper Clippings, Warner and Swasey Co. -- 1955 

2 74

Appraisal of 1909 Duplex Model A. Truck -- 1966 

2 75

History of Duplex Truck Company 

Box Folder

 October 3, 1951 

2 76

and Products -- September 25, 1956 

2 77

and Products -- November 15, 1959 

2 78

Duplex Doings - Company Magazine 

Box Folder

 May 1917 - June 1919 

2 79

 July 1919 - August 1922 

2 80
Box Folder

Bound Copies of Duplex Doings May 1920 - April 1921 

2 81

Sidelights - Company Magazine -- 1968-1970 

2 82

Jetram Drawings and Design -- [1956] 

2 83

Jetram Sales Potential -- [1959] 

2 84

Jetram Maintenance and Service Manual -- [1959] 

2 85

Jetram Proposal to FAA for Dulles Airport -- May 27, 1959 

2 86

Location Map of Dulles International Airport -- March 1, 1963 

2 87

Oshkosh Catalog with Memo to C.D. Hatch to Wayne Clark -- February 15, 1972 

Specifications for 

Box Folder

Floodlight Trailer -- [1970] 

3 17

G-Grandall -- [1970] 

3 18

H Snowmaster: Pipe Steel Carrier HP -- [1960] 

3 19

K -- [1960] 

3 20

Forklifts 1200-1600 -- 1973 

3 21

L -- [1960] 

3 22

LC -- [1960] 

3 23

R -- [1960] 

3 24

Firetrucks -- 1975 

3 25

T, T-H -- [1960] 

3 26

Crane Carriers -- [1960] 

3 27
Box Folder

Correspondence: 

2 89

1. City of Big Rapids -- February 16, 1920 

2. Spring Gyroscope Company -- November 24, 1941 

3. Automobile Manufacturers Assoc. -- February 15, 1962 

Sales Promotion of Fork Lift -- August 15, 1968 

2 90

Duplex Dealer Advertising -- [1920-1930] 

2 91

Sperry Scope - Sperry Gyroscope Company Magazine 

Box Folder

 April 1935 

2 92

 April 1941 

2 93

 October 1941 

2 94

 July 1943 

2 95

 January 1944 

3 1

 May 1946 

3 2

 September 1947 

3 3

 Winter 1949 

3 4
Box Folder

Sperry Anti-Aircraft Searchlight & Sound Locator -- [1930-1935] 

3 5

Autobiography -- 1951 

3 6

Notebook of Advertising Clippings 

Box Folder

pp. 1-31 (copy of Volume 13) -- ca. 1950-1957 

3 7

pp. 32-47 (copy of Volume 13) -- ca. 1940-1955 

3 8

pp. 48 end (copy of Volume 13) -- ca. 1948-1949 

3 9

Notebook of Advertising Clippings 

Box Folder

pp. 1-34 (copy of Volume 14) -- ca. 1966-1967 

3 10

pp. 35-60 (copy of Volume 14) -- 1967-1968 

3 11

pp. 61-end (copy of Volume 14) -- 1969-1975 

3 12
Box Folder

Newspaper Clippings -- December 20, 1916; July 22, 1969 

3 13

Specifications for Series 

Box Folder

C - Concrete Pump Chassis -- 1974 

3 14

47CF -- 1971 

3 15

D -- 1971-1973 

3 16
Box Folder

Truck Brochures -- [1920-1950] 

3 28

Adhesive signs for Duplex Truck Co. -- [n.d.] 

3 29

News article -- December 20, 1916 

3 30

Drawings of Airport Mobile Lounge -- [n.d.] 

3 31

Advertising -- 1917, 1955, 1958, 1965, 1968 

3 32

Sidelights -- 1968 

3 33

vol. 10: Material Lists for Truck Frames -- (n.d.) 

3 34-35

vol. 11: Blueprints for Truck Frames -- (n.d.) 

3 36-37

vol. 12: Notebook containing a short company history, and specification sheets, and photographs -- (n.d.) 

3 38-43

vol. 13: Advertisements and Newspaper Clippings 

3 44-47

vol. 1: Register of Stockholders and Amount of Shares -- 1916-1918 

3 48

vol. 2: Register of By-Laws and Secretaries Minutes of Board of Directors Meetings -- 1916-1918 

3 49

vol. 3: Records of Board of Directors Meetings and Annual Stockholders Meetings -- 1918-1938 

4 1-3

vol. 4: Records of Board of Directors Meetings and Annual Stockholders Meetings -- February - October 1955 

3 50
Volume

vol. 5: Bound Stock Certificates -- November 1954 - February 1955 

5

vol. 6: Bound Stock Certificates -- April - October 1955 

6
Box

vol. 7-8: Photographs of Duplex Trucks -- (n.d.) 

4

vol. 9: Generator and Electrical Parts -- (n.d.) 

5

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Photographs 

Photographs 

Box

Automobiles Modified for Rail Travel 

LC Photo 32

Buses. Model A 

LC Photo 32

Buses. Model A ½ 

LC Photo 32

Buses. Model AB (3 Folders) 

LC Photo 32

Buses. Model BF 

LC Photo 32

Buses. Model Bus for Railroads 

LC Photo 32

Buses. Model C 

LC Photo 32

Buses. Model FB 

LC Photo 32

Buses. Model G 

LC Photo 32

Buses. Model GH 

LC Photo 32

Buses. Model Unknown 

LC Photo 32

Buses. Model Unknown. Interiors 

LC Photo 32

Dolson Automobile Company 

LC Photo 32

Employees 

LC Photo 32

Engine Generator 

LC Photo 32

Factories (2 Folders) 

LC Photo 32

Factories. Interiors (2 Folders) 

LC Photo 32

Fork and Bucket Lifts 

LC Photo 32

Konvey Loader 

LC Photo 32

Oldsmobile Expressway, Lansing, Michigan. Opening Ceremonies 

LC Photo 32

People. Groups. Unidentified 

LC Photo 32

Scenes. Unidentified 

LC Photo 32

Street Cars 

LC Photo 32

Tractor Trailers (2 Folders) 

LC Photo 32

Truck Dealership 

LC Photo 32

Trucks. Chrysler F959-A 

LC Photo 32

Trucks. Crane Carries (5 Folders) 

LC Photo 32

Trucks. Fire Trucks (3 Folders) 

LC Photo 32

Trucks. First Truck Built by Duplex 

LC Photo 32

Trucks. Gradall 

LC Photo 32

Trucks. Model A (2 Folders) 

LC Photo 32

Trucks. Model AC (2 Folders) 

LC Photo 32

Trucks. Model AS 

LC Photo 32

Trucks. Model D 

LC Photo 32

Trucks. Model E (5 Folders) 

LC Photo 32-33

Trucks. Model EF (2 Folders) 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model FA 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model FAC (2 Folders) 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model FWD 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model G 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model GF 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model GH 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model GH (Electric) Sperry (2 Folders) 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model GS 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model H 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model K (2 Folders) 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model KH 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model L 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model LC 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model M 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model R (2 Folders) 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model S 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model S (Electric) Sperry (2 Folders) 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model SAC (3 Folders) 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model SAK 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model SC 

LC Photo 33

Trucks. Model T (4 Folders) 

LC Photo 33-34

Trucks. Model TH 

LC Photo 34

Trucks. Model Unknown (4 Folders) 

LC Photo 34

Trucks. Parts (2 Folders) 

LC Photo 34

Trucks. Photographed in the Rocky Mountains 

LC Photo 34

Trucks. Steel and Pipe Carriers 

LC Photo 34

Trucks. Tilling Stevens (British) 

LC Photo 34

Trucks. Watter 

LC Photo 34

Trucks. Wreckers 

LC Photo 34

Negatives 

Box Folder

Building Being Wrecked December 15, 1966 

3 51

Crane Carriers June 1968, undated 

3 52

Old Expressway Ceremony 

3 53

Truck - Model FA-844 

3 54

Truck - Model T 

3 55
Box

Oversize Photographs 

OS 12

Dolson Automobile Company 

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