Een glorieuze Knickerbocker? Los dit Brass Era mysterie op...

Ben, here’s some info which might help: although perhaps a member of the Knickerbocker Relief Club earlier, Mrs. J. C. Updegrove, 227 Riverside Drive, N.Y. seems to have been first listed in the “Club Women of New York” directory of 1913-14 – not found in earlier editions but still gave same address in the 1915 directory. Husband Mr. J. C. Updegrove had purchased a building plot on the east side of Tibbett Avenue overlooking Van Cortland Park in 1911, where he was listed as a broker and notary public in the 1915 New York City Directory, giving this as his home address. “The List of enrolled voters 1918 (Bronx, Queens, Richmond)” at “E S Tibbett Ave” are Estelle B. Updegrove, Helen M. Updegrove and John C. Updegrove.

The Knickerbocker Relief Club, founded in 1906 by Mrs. Camille Birnbohm (President), met at her Annandale home on the first and third Tuesday from October to May to organise “the immediate relief of the needy.” It held frequent fund-raising events, some at the Waldorf-Astoria. The “Violet and Lavender Breakfast” was an annual ticketed event held in May at various inns, like the Terra Marine in 1909 and the Arrowhead, date unknown. Birnbohm, who was a dramatic soprano singer, must surely be in this picture…?

She claimed the Club had 300 members in 1911 but Estelle’s fellow-listed members in 1913-14, some maybe in this picture, were: Mrs. George Escher Ashwell, Mrs. Alexander Alder, Mrs. William H. Aten, Mrs. P. T. Austin, Mrs. Chas. Everett Banker, Miss Helen H. Barrett, Miss E. H. Barrett, Miss Helen N. H. Barrett, Mrs. G. W. Beavers, Mrs. Asa Cassidy, Mrs. Nelson Chessman, Mrs. Walter Grey Crump, Mrs. Emma Kip Edwards, Mrs. Samuel Gardner Estabrook, Mrs. Edward H. Frost, Mrs. William V. P. Garretson, Mrs. James Bruce Gear, Mrs. Fred E. Grant, Mrs. William D. Grimshaw, Mrs. Emma Erskine Hahn, Mrs. Ernest D. Hamilton, Mrs. E. Monroe Hand, Mrs. H. W., Linden Hardenburg, Mrs. Samuel Hollander, Mrs. George B. Howe, Mrs. A. Humphrey, Mrs. T. Kraft, Mrs. E. W. Lowe, Mrs. Louis Eugene Manley, Mrs. Frank R., Jordan Martin, Mrs. Katherine A. Martin, Mrs. Addison J. Rothermel, Mrs. H. E. Scripture, Miss Laura Skinner, Mrs. Louis W. Southack, Mrs. Arthur Stutts, Mrs. Frederick T. Tagliavia, Mrs. Edward O. Towne, Mrs. Edward Watson, Mrs. Arthur S. Wilson and Mrs. Augustine J. Wilson.

According to 1914-17 New York sight-seeing guides, the prestigious Arrowhead Inn was on 177th Street near the Riverside Drive Extension (Lafayette Boulevard), a site south of C.K.G. Billings Estate, itself south of Fort Tyron - this building doesn’t look much like it. Benjamin C. Riley was its proprietor and in 1913 purchased two acres nearby to construct a new two-storey restaurant, which was to open in December. Doubt the man in the picture is Riley – perhaps one of his flunkeys.

I looked at the back of the original picture and this is what is written:
"Lavender Breakfast of Knickerbocker Relief Club at Ben Riley's Arrowhead Inn"
This led me to the following newspaper article from 1909.
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14980905/womans-club-of-si-1909/

To add a little background to my family, my great grandmother sitting on the running board is the great niece of George Nixon Briggs congressman from western Massachusetts who served in Washington DC from 1831-1843 (same time John Quincy Adam’s was congressman of eastern Massachusetts post his presidency), and then served as governor of Massachusetts 1844-1851. Her first cousin was General Henry Shaw Briggs who served in the civil war. Her grandparents Rufus and Lavinia (Wiley/Schuyler) Briggs were both surgeons in the civil war. This might give some context as to the people or organizations she might have associated with. Not sure if that helps identify the other people, but I thought it might help.

Roy, I am just about 100% sure that is Thomas Edison, and maybe that will help identify the persons and car. Any other opinions on the man?
Tom Edfors should know... Keith

Franklin indeed seems to be the best 'choice'. Very characteristic are the springs going below the axles. I agree with a ca. 1907 Model G, which is consistent with the visible details.

David Reddaway pointed this out to me, thanks. Very good chance it’s a Franklin Type G based on hood handle and full-elliptical springs. Bottom of hood does seem odd but could easily be simply the way the picture distorts. AND the man seems recognizable to me but I can’t recall him for sure.

Hi Laydon! Yes, I agree with you on a Cameron. Folks, the Franklin had a motor mounted sideways, then after that inline with a tubular bonnet. If you look veryyyyyy carefully, you will notice the sides of the bonnet appear flat, not circular... See everyone at the Gilmores Celebration of Brass! Till then, be good!
Keith

I would put my money on a Cameron, 1905-1908 era.