A hidden secret on Mount Desert Island in Maine is a fantastic antique auto museum that holds some of the most beautiful and artistic brass horses in automobile history. Instead of four legs, these four-wheeled vehicles are true works of art. With brilliant brass fixtures and elaborate passenger cabins, each one of these beauties have a story to tell.
Located on the “quiet” side of the island in Seal Cove is the Seal Cove Auto Museum that was created from the private collection of Richard C. Paine, Jr. The collection contains over 100 Brass Era cars that were built in the early 1900’s.
Paine was a private man whose quiet demeanor was disarming as the collection he created is exceptional. After his passing in 2008, it was his instruction to auction a part of his collection to create a foundation to maintain the collection for all to enjoy. The results of the auction raised over eight million dollars, with the most money going for a 1910 Mercedes 45 hp, 4-seat tourabout. See auction information here.
In walking around the museum, the incredible detail of the lighting of these brass era iron horses mesmerized me. Their elaborate shapes and elegant lines with brilliant eyes seemed as if they would light up the world.
Built in 1909, this White Steamer is sheer elegance.
Imagine rolling along the unpaved roads looking elegant and dapper.
This French 1913 Peugeot was crafted from Tulip wood and heralds a molded boat tail design.
A light to shine your way.
This has to be one of the most interesting windshields I’ve ever seen. What did the passengers do?
This three-wheel open wagon was one of the first prototypes for a horseless carriage. Built by Carl Benz in 1886 this Motorwagon was the first auto with an internal combustion engine.
With over 100 antique cars in the collection and 30 motorcycles, hours can be spent here appreciating these classics.
In the era, many elite women went around town by private car and driver. With a windshield separating the passenger from the driver, several of these held internal telephones so that the Grand Dame may give instructions to her driver.
Can you see yourself behind the wheel and driving about town in a different era?
This museum is such a delight to visit and if you are ever on Mount Desert Island, take some time to stop by and see these glorious Brass Horses.
Categories: Foot Prints, Maine, travel
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Reblogged this on Vintage Car Connection.
Thank you so much for sharing this with your readers.
Absolutely gorgeous! Your pictures are wonderful. Love the brass 🙂
Aren’t these cars amazing Judy? I’d never seen such beauties before. The brass work truly is incredible.
My dad at one time had an interest in the old Fords and his friends owned garage spaces of the real antiques with brass cars. They would show them in upstate NY. This brought back many good memories. Thank you!
Oh wow ! Now that must have been wonderful !
Your photos are marvelous, Emily. Love those old cars. 🙂
You really are too sweet Sylvia. There are so many things wrong with this photo set I can’t tell you! But hard to mess up too much with such beautiful subjects.
They look great to me, but I’m not looking with a photographer’s critical eye. 🙂
All the times I have been up into Maine from Here in NH I did not know about this one I must go
Thanks for sharing
Eunice
Oh you really should Eunice. It’s a small “Big” place as they’ve fit many different cars, motorcycles and bicycles in a small building but so much history and such beauty to behold.
We will stop in next ride we take that way we are what like 20 min. to the bridge in Maine 🙂 Thanks for blogging about it him and I dig old cars 🙂
Hello, I have just nominated your blog for the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award:
http://clanmother.com/2012/12/06/stars-change-the-world/
Please accept my kind regards without any obligation. This is my thanks for being an inspiration to me on my blogging journey.
Rebecca aka Clanmother
You are so very kind Rebecca and I’m thrilled to accept this nomination. Thank you so very much and may you have a lovely weekend. Emily
I really wanted to thank you for all of your encouragement and support over the past year. You really are amazing!!!
But not nearly as much as you are. You have such a gift of the word that I can only envy. You have such heart and spirit that we all can benefit and learn from. I’d leave a comment on your page, but jeez…90 thoughts? You are FAMOUS !!
I just follow leaders like you….
Now I’m really laughing as you actually think I’m a leader..better watch out, who knows where we’ll end up.
And that makes it all the more exciting and worthwhile…Hugs
Those are phenomenal image. I love the abstracted design elements you picked out. The last photo is definitely my favorite!
I’ve learned so much more about photography since I took this series and can’t wait to get back next year and really spend some time enjoying and photographing these beauties. I like the last one best as well. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting.
Reblogged this on Dreamers Blog.
Thank you so much for sharing this with your readers, and hope to see you back soon! Bella
urwelcome 🙂
Wow..!
“Can you see yourself behind the wheel and driving about town in a different era..?”
The answer is Yeeees… 😉
I can see the black Drake in a white three-piece suit, black tie, black hat and oxford shoes. That would be so dapper!
‘hahaha’ – only the shoes are wrong – black drakes use italian shoes… ‘hahaha’
No no no! No Italian shoes in an American classic! 🙂
Sorry… 😉
Really gorgeous pictures! I have zero interest in cars, but I love these.
It really is hard not to love these right? Thank you so much for enjoying these.
Wow, these are really stunning shots… They had to be difficult to capture! So interesting.
Oh I can’t tell you all the mistakes I made when looking at the metadata when putting together the post. The lighting, the size of the autos, the reflections, the closeness of one to the next…But they truly are incredible aren’t they?
This is terrific Emily, I really enjoyed viewing these photos and reading about the museum!
You are too kind Phil. Thank you so very much and it is a digression from our usual birds right? L-)
Oh absolutely. Nothing wrong with a little diversification.
I myself may go out tomorrow and check out some ducks and…wait, that’s still birds isn’t it? Ah darn. 😕 🙂
Yep..it’s a bird. I did find a Hooded Merganser this week, but lighting was terrible and I missed the 500mm lens. I will try again though. Hopefully he hasn’t left his little pond with the nutria.
Wow ,what a collection . I would love to have one like this .great pictures
Wouldn’t it be lovely?
I’m so glad there were SO many more images in the post! I only saw the teaser and they were SO beautiful I HAD to stop by! SO glad I did! Congrats!
Hi Jasmine ! Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and enjoy this post. So happy you had a chance to walk around these beauties with me. Please come back soon and browse more. All sorts of wonderful things to enjoy here. Bella
Will do Bella!
I love the craftsmanship that went into autos from that era, great job of displaying that as well as their beauty!