Over the years, Henry Ford received hundreds of gifts from people who felt a connection with the automotive entrepreneur. For many, he was "one of them," someone who also just happened to become a great industrialist. Perhaps the creator of this portrait was a satisfied Ford owner who used his own expertise to create this special memento.

Acknowledging Henry Ford's innovative spirit, individuals employing their own original and imaginative efforts bestowed hundreds of handmade gifts upon him. Ford Bryant, in his book Henry's Attic, stated that many of these Ford-in-a-Bottles were sent to his estate, Fair Lane, over the years. One of the more poignant examples noted the address of the sender as "Poorhouse, Parkersburg, West Virginia."

Acknowledging Henry Ford's innovative spirit, individuals employing their own original and imaginative efforts bestowed hundreds of handmade gifts upon him. Not much is known about the creator of this amazing birthday gift to Henry Ford, but the donor's sentiments are clearly recorded in the poem found within the shadow box.

Acknowledging Henry Ford's innovative spirit, individuals employing their own original and imaginative efforts bestowed hundreds of handmade gifts upon him. The effect of this magnificent frame may actually surpass the image of the individual it was meant to honor. Composed of intricately interlocking wooden pieces, the frame stands over four feet tall!

Acknowledging Henry Ford's innovative spirit, individuals employing their own original and imaginative efforts bestowed hundreds of handmade gifts upon him. Like many of the gifts to Henry Ford that found their way to Fair Lane, little is known about the Italian artist who created this. But the exquisite workmanship of this artifact speaks for itself.

Henry Ford's corporate family was generous when it came to acknowledging their leader's enterprising and innovative strides forward. This portrait plate was commissioned by an Italian Ford dealer; all he asked for in exchange for this amazing piece of ceramic art was that an autographed photograph of Henry Ford be sent to the artist.

Acknowledging Henry Ford's innovative spirit, individuals employing their own original and imaginative efforts bestowed hundreds of handmade gifts upon him. The translated inscription of this piece -- "to the great American industrialist in recognition and proof of manufacturing wherein works do not strike" -- reflects the opinion of the Polish artist regarding the industrial instability in Poland of that time.

Acknowledging Henry Ford's innovative spirit, individuals employing their own original and imaginative efforts bestowed hundreds of handmade gifts upon him. This finely executed likeness of the automotive industrialist is an example of needlework sometimes referred to as thread painting.

Acknowledging Henry Ford's innovative spirit, individuals employing their own original and imaginative efforts bestowed hundreds of handmade gifts upon him. Ford Bryant, in his book Henry's Attic, stated that many of these Ford-in-a-Bottles were sent to his estate, Fair Lane, over the years. One of the more poignant examples noted the address of the sender as "Poorhouse, Parkersburg, West Virginia."

Over the years, Henry Ford received hundreds of gifts from people who felt a connection with the automotive entrepreneur. For many, he was "one of them," someone who also just happened to become a great industrialist. This drawing seems to credit the innovations of Henry Ford as the dividing line between the artist's conception of the past and the present.

For many women in the early 20th century, Henry Ford's affordable automobile represented freedom and financial security, especially if they were fortunate to be part of the Ford Motor Company family. According to the donor, the inspiration for this portrait rug came after reading a biography of Henry Ford.

Acknowledging Henry Ford's innovative spirit, individuals employing their own original and imaginative efforts bestowed hundreds of handmade gifts upon him. Ford Bryant, in his book Henry's Attic, stated that many of these Ford-in-a-Bottles were sent to his estate, Fair Lane, over the years. One of the more poignant examples noted the address of the sender as "Poorhouse, Parkersburg, West Virginia."

Over the years, Henry Ford received hundreds of gifts from people who felt a connection with the automotive entrepreneur. For many, he was "one of them," someone who also just happened to become a great industrialist. Perhaps Mr. Ford would have been especially pleased with this creation; a tray made from a repurposed copper printing plate.

Over the years, Henry Ford received hundreds of gifts from people who felt a connection with the automotive entrepreneur. For many, he was "one of them," someone who also just happened to become a great industrialist. The fact that this is one of a pair of vases given by a Swedish missionary posted in China demonstrates his world-wide appeal.

Acknowledging Henry Ford's innovative spirit, individuals employing their own original and imaginative efforts bestowed hundreds of handmade gifts upon him. Sometimes there was an ulterior motive; correspondence accompanying this object reveals the donor's hope that Mr. Ford would be so impressed with his work, the woodworker might be offered a position in one of Ford's North American factories.