Derham Body Co. archives at Gilmore

Without a photo I am wondering (or maybe hoping) if you are describing more than a division window issue. Derham did a number of things with Pierce-Arrows in the mid 1930s, so I would not be surprised if you are about to spring a customized limousine image on us.

My experience researching the Derham records has always found them fascinating but not complete. You can see most photos on the cccamuseum.org website, but most textual records are only available in hardcopy. I would urge you to go there and take a look (an appointment is needed). The Derham files had been kept by a group who later gave/sold them to the CCCA Museum. Tracing that transaction backwards might also reveal what happened to the rest and/or someone with knowledge about Philadelphia Pierce-Arrows.

The Automobile Reference Collection in the Philadelphia Free Library (Kim Bravo is the librarian) can trace the 1936 Pierce-Arrow dealer in the City Directory, and perhaps its principals and their obituaries, and also locate news/obituary of the original owner (the city Social Directory might also be available), which should name relatives that can be traced and contacted for information or photos of the car. Other Derham information may also be available there. Derham was a family enterprise; the business remained active into the 1960s, so there may be other sources of information for them.

There is also a new car museum in Philadelphia, the Simeone Collection, not focused on antiques, but they are enthusiasts and may be able to provide a lead. The Hagley Museum, just across the border in Delaware, has an increasing amount of old car materials. It is not clear how much Pierce-Arrow information is there – they recently acquired Taylor Vinson’s files – but they might know something about Pierce’s Philadelphia showrooms and Derham.

Many say all the Pierce factory production cards have been lost; I suggest looking around when in Buffalo – no one appears to have gone through the Buffalo & Erie Historical Society records in years: what they, or the nearby Clifton Library, have recently acquired could be a surprise. Pierce-Arrow’s last company secretary, William Emblidge, came to early Society meets. He saved company artifacts – some are now in the Buffalo Pierce-Arrow Museum – perhaps car records, too. Several invoices from the St. Louis dealer were reprinted in the Arrow many years ago, so some of those are definitely out there.

I also suggest you contact Bernie Weis, the PAS editor for over 40 years (currently editor emeritus), who keeps the roster of all known Pierce-Arrow vehicles, including vehicles not in the Society’s printed Roster. He also catalogued the surviving factory records at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Sending him car and engine numbers can pull a record of what is known. He requires hardcopy written questions sent by the Post Office. Bernie may also have a suggestion about the Philadelphia dealer and Derham information – including the member from West Chester (Main Line) who was researching the 1939 Pierce-Arrow prototype some years ago.

I hope this helps

Brooks Brierley