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"Franklin sedan, San Francisco, 1927." An upscale auto parked outside an imposing home whose balcony seems to have been modified for keeping chickens or children. 5x7 glass inch negative by Christopher Helin. View full size.
Along with Lindbergh as noted, Amelia Earhart was also used by Franklin for promotions. The famous Air cooled Franklin engines similarity to aircraft engines being the connection. Both she and Lindbergh were given Franklins to use as their personal transportation.
Chickens, children, what's the difference. Wonder if this house is still around? San Francisco retained quite a few nice ones.
Many of the automobile pictures have been taken in the Pacific Heights neighborhood in San Francisco. I've been on many walking tours around there and I expect the house is between other homes now. But where is it? Gentle slope, Eucalyptus trees.
The street lamp is of interest. Any of Shorpy's historians ready to chime in on this one? By the 1950s, we kids played under weak incandescent bulbs. All the stars of the Big Dipper were still visible.
Check out the house, they don't make 'em like that anymore.
The famous Franklin lion radiator mascot is clearly visible in this view. A popular accessory at the time, these are now being reproduced for Franklin restorers.
My guess is screening added to allow indoor kitties a bit of fresh air. Cats won't jump if they can't see what's on the other side. Nor will coyotes.
The house is wonderful, and if I were fortunate enough to have lived there, I would have had Staff !
The house is the star of this photo.
Franklin presented Lindbergh with a car of about this vintage after his transatlantic flight, not incidentally gaining some advertising for their air-cooled engine. Being a thrifty Minnesotan, Lindbergh drove it until around 1940.
I wouldn't want to clean the windows in that house!
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