This explains the origin of some bumpers we’ve seen on trucks. I *think* I’ve also seen that winch a few times. Also, it appears that Kelly Manufacturing was a reseller of them.

“”Mobile Bumper Inc.” Brochures for Willys, Jeep and all Pickup Truck lines, by the writers and illustrators of Mobile Bumper Inc., Indianapolis Indiana. No copyright date, but the a Price List included is effective February 15, 1957. Published by Mobile Bumper Inc. NOT Ex-Library. No ISBN – there were none in those years. Note – the photos you see are of thess brochures – no ‘Stock Photos’.

Three splendid brochures and a price sheet, various sizes, drilled for a 3-post binder (binder not included). A trifle of roughening around those holes after 2/3 Century. Lots of good Illustrations, splendid information for these 1950s-era Jeep and other brand aftermarket accessories. Here was the equipment you needed, and a bit of ‘How-To’ for improving that vehicle.

The marketer, Mobile Bumper, advertised these items for sale – interestingly, the price list is titled ‘Mobile Bumper’ but was printed by Kelly Sales, Charleston WV. In many cases equipment for aftermarket Jeep applications was made in Toledo Ohio, home of Jeep, and was marketed by other companies. Not sure if that’s the case here.

Mobile Bumper Accessories – Truck bumpers for Farm, Delivery and Service trucks with many additions beyond just the bumper. 8 1/2″ x 11″, two-sided;
A new Truck Bumper – Combination Rear bumper – Step – and Trailer Hitch, Ring or Ball, 17″ x 11″, folding down to a 4-page brochure, 8 1/2″ x 11″, advertising equipment for Willys, Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, International, Dodge and Studebaker. Heavy steel, lots of extras;
Price list, blue-purple ditto printing, parts for Jeep, Willys, Chevrolet, International, Studebaker, Ford, Dodge – GMC & Chevy are interchangeable. One page, 8 1/2″ x 11″;
Mobile All-Purpose Winch advertising from Mobile Bumper Inc. Well pictured, heavy-duty, red accents, 8 1/2″ x 11″, one side.”

As I recovered in bed on Sunday, I forgot all about a host of items I was hoping to win on eBay. While this was not one that interested me, there were others …

This 24-page Universal Jeep Brochure provides a look at both the CJ-2A and CJ-3A, with pics of both. That led me to believe this was most likely published in early 1949. Most of this appears to be images/info that we’ve seen bundled in other brochures and documents.

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This early Meyer snow plow brochure sold on eBay. I was busy buying a few other things yesterday, so decided to let this one go. If someone out there purchased it, feel free to send me some lo res scans (d @ dealers.com) that I can share with folks.

So … this was on eBay yesterday. I’d patiently waited to purchase it, even setting my alarm clock. However, when the day and time arrived, my phone was away from me charging. Meanwhile, I was distracted researching this book 1000page-plus cook book from 100 years ago (1920 in fact), which I found while doing some ewillys posts yesterday (I was killing time awaiting the eBay auction end).

My supportive wife was very excited when I showed her the book images, as she knows I like a good old cookbook. She started chanting, “buy it, just buy it, buy it” … but no, I couldn’t at that price. After some research, I found a free copy on the Internet Archive, but looking through 1000 pages on the IA just isn’t the same as having the real thing in my hands. Eventually, I found a MUCH less expensive copy through Amazon, which Ann purchased for me as a gift (she’s hoping I’ll cook some food from it).

By the time I returned to this eBay auction, it was exactly 2:15pm, the same time that the auction ended. My timing couldn’t have been any worse.

Oh well, at least I got a cookbook out of the deal! Here are the two images from brochure that were posted to eBay.