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The men are posed across the hood, fenders and passenger compartment, creating an unusually lively and informal automobile image. Several appear to be dealership employees, mechanics or friends, although their identities are unknown.
The automobile carries the clearly readable Rhode Island license plate:
M-7393 — R.I. 40
Across the street is an automobile dealership whose upper façade appears to read “Cumberland Motors Inc.” Separate signs above the showroom entrances read:
CHEVROLET
OLDSMOBILE
A row of late-1930s automobiles is displayed in front of the dealership, adding considerable transportation, advertising and local-history interest. The photograph has “1937” written in blue along the upper margin, but the visible R.I. 40 license plate indicates that the image was taken in 1940.
Especially desirable details include:
- Eight men humorously crowded around an old automobile
- Readable 1940 Rhode Island license plate
- Cumberland Motors Inc. dealership signage
- Separate Chevrolet and Oldsmobile signs
- Row of period automobiles across the street
- Strong occupational and automotive-dealership subject matter
- Excellent Rhode Island and local-history appeal
The precise make and year of the foreground automobile have not been confirmed.
Approximately 3.75 × 2.75 inches.
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