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There are four varieties of Holsman nameplates known, all containing the patent date of April 15, 1902.  This has led many Holsman owners, and museums to declare in the absence of accurate documentation, that their Holsman was a 1902.  This assumption is incorrect as only one vehicle was manufactured in 1902, and it was strictly experimental, and never sold.  The Holsman was not introduced to the public until January of 1903, with orders being taken at that time.  However, only 13 were manufactured that year and these were of the early body style.  Only one, and possibly a second, are known to be extant.  One in the Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, Michigan, prior to a fire and one in a collection in Denmark.

Holsman nameplate designs are:

1^st – Cast bronze, measuring 1 ¼” x 3”, raised lettering, no border, with the background painted red.  Only the 15 April 1902 patent date shown.  Used from 1903 to c1905.

2^nd – Flat sheet brass, raised lettering and border with the sunken background painted black, measuring 1 ½” x 4”.  Only the 1902 patent date shown.  Used from c1905 to 1907.

3^rd – Flat sheet brass, raised lettering and border, sunken background painted black, with a blank boss where the vehicle number was stamped, measuring 1 ¾” x 5”.  Only the 1902 patent date shown plus “other patents pending” added.  Used from 1907 to at least 18 February 1909.  It is interesting to note that on this plate design, Illinois, was replaced by U.S.A., indicating the trend toward increased world sales.

4^th – Similar to the 3^rd design except, in addition to “other patents pending,” the following six patent dates were shown.  Used from 1909 to 1910.

15 April 1902

15 August 1905

11 February 1908

5 May 1908

1 September 1908

19 January 1909[1]