Portrait of Auto Dealer

Introducing the Fourth Edition of Portrait of an Automobile Dealer: The History of Reed Brothers Dodge

If you wanted to read the history of the American car industry, a great place to start would be the book, Portrait Of An Automobile Dealer

If you’re looking for a unique window into the history of the American automobile industry, one that’s both local and deeply personal, Portrait Of An Automobile Dealer is an exceptional place to begin. Authored and self-published by Jeanne T. Gartner in 2012, the book grew out of this very blog as a chronologically organized, expanded version documenting the remarkable story of Reed Brothers Dodge.

Now in its fourth edition, the book chronicles the 95-year history of Maryland’s oldest family-owned Dodge dealership. But its scope extends far beyond a single business. It also mirrors the sweeping transformations in the American auto industry and in society itself over the course of the 20th century. The third edition, published in 2016, was honored with the Arthur M. Wagman Award for Historic Preservation Communication by Peerless Rockville; a distinction awarded to individuals whose work enriches public understanding of Rockville’s cultural and architectural legacy.

Inside the pages of the book, readers will find a detailed historical timeline that traces how Reed Brothers Dodge came into existence in Rockville, Maryland, and how the company weathered nearly a century of evolution in the auto industry. As Jane C. Sween, former librarian of the Montgomery County Historical Society, noted, “This book is of interest not only to those of us who remember Reed Brothers Dodge, but to others who wish to get to know Rockville as it was before they arrived.”

Though the dealership no longer stands, its legacy is woven into the very fabric of the community. Today, its former site is home to “The Reed” apartments; aptly named to honor the family and the history that helped shape the area.

The recognition from Peerless Rockville is not just a tribute to the book, it’s a testament to Jeanne Gartner’s dedication to preserving a piece of Rockville’s past. As the organization stated, the book is “an exemplary effort to inform, establishing a virtual commemoration of a landmark, which lacks surviving tangible form.”

Through both her blog and book, the author has ensured that the story of Reed Brothers Dodge endures; a legacy remembered, recorded, and passed on for generations to come.

The book “Portrait Of An Automobile Dealer, Fourth Edition” is available through Blurb.com print-on-demand bookstore. If you would like to check out the hard copy book or purchase a copy, please visit: https://www.blurb.com/b/12491295-portrait-of-an-automobile-dealer-fourth-edition

A Note About Book Pricing

Some readers have asked why the fourth edition of Portrait of an Automobile Dealer is priced higher than many typical history books. The primary reason is the cost of producing a specialized, image-rich publication in small quantities.

Like the earlier editions, this book includes numerous historic photographs, documents, and archival materials related to the history of Reed Brothers Dodge and the early automobile business in Rockville, Maryland. Reproducing these images at a quality suitable for print requires higher production standards than a standard text-only book.

The fourth edition is also printed on demand, meaning each copy is produced individually rather than through a large print run. While this approach allows the book to remain available without needing to store inventory, it results in a higher per-copy printing cost.

This book was created as part of an ongoing effort to preserve and document the history of Reed Brothers Dodge and the early automotive industry in Montgomery County. The price primarily reflects the cost of producing and maintaining a high-quality historical record.

Thank you for supporting local history and the preservation of this unique archive.

— Jeanne T. Gartner