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Washington, D.C., 1923. "Paige Motor Co." The Paige was advertised as "the most beautiful car in America." National Photo Co. glass negative. View full size.
The photo shows two somewhat controversial statues (on either side of the east front steps) that were removed in 1958 as part of the east front expansion and never restored. The statue to the left represents Columbus's discovery of America. He is standing tall holding a globe while an Indian maiden crouches somewhat submissively beside him. The statue to the right, called "The Rescue," depicts a frontiersman locked in combat with an attacking Indian warrior. The frontiersman's wife and child cower in fear to the left and the family dog looks on from the right. "The Rescue" created a lot of controversy, including protests and an attempted resolution in the House to have it destroyed.
Photos of the Capitol I have ever seen. It seems that this shot works better in back and white, but I swear the sky looks faintly colored in with blue.
[Another one here. - Dave]
New for 1923, this is the Model 6-70, a.k.a. "The Ideal Paige." The seven-passenger Sport Phaeton in the photo retailed for $2,450. The most expensive model was $3,435.
This photo was taken during the Paige's brief heyday, these were large, fairly impressive cars priced just over $2000, about as much as the entry level Packard Sixes or a top of the line Buick. Paige was also producing a lower-medium priced car, the $1000 Jewett Six. In 1927/28 The Graham Brothers company purchased ailing Paige and reorganized to become Graham Paige, the '28 Graham-Paige was the best selling first year marquee up to that point, that title was stolen by DeSoto in 1929.
When I was a young boyscout, I met Sonny Bono and Newt Gingrich on those very steps. We walked right up the steps as did everyone else passing by. No, I don't think you can get as close to the Capitol Building as that car is much less walk up into it. They have a huge underground visitor center under that expansive drive you see up there.
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