Maxim's Party Vehicle

The conveyance pictured above was operated by the Middleboro Auto Exchange on Wareham Street and could be hired for parties and excursions. Earlier "party wagons" had operated in Middleborough, most notably by William F. Keyes. The Middleboro Auto Exchange was established in 1905 by Carlton W. Maxim for the sale, lease and repair of automobiles, and operated until 1914. Mertie E. Romaine later described Maxim's party vehicle in her History of the Town of Middleboro. "Mr. Maxim offered the service of a "picnic" conveyance, a sort of automobile barge seating a number of people and used to take parties on excursions, to out-of-town meetings and entertainments in Boston." The ladies in the photograph appear to be enroute to a summer outing, their brilliant white dresses an indicator of the season.

Illustration:
Middleboro Auto Exchange party conveyance, photograph, c. 1912
The conveyance was capable of seating more than a dozen people. Notice the striped blinds which were provided in each section of the car to shade passengers as needed, as well as the "MIDDLEBORO AUTO EXCH'G" painted at the top of the vehicle.