New England Savold Tire Co. - 1920 dated Stock Certificate

Stock printed by Broun Green Co., New York.

The New England Savold Tire Co. emerged in 1919 during a pivotal era for the American automotive industry. Established as part of the broader expansion of the “Savold” system, the company specialized in a patented process for rebuilding and retreading tires. This innovative approach offered a cost-effective alternative to the expensive new rubber of the early 20th century. Headquartered primarily in Massachusetts, the firm capitalized on the post-World War I economic boom. They positioned themselves as a crucial service provider for the rapidly growing number of motorists who sought to extend the life of their pneumatic tires amidst fluctuating rubber prices.

However, the company’s trajectory was shaped by the volatile nature of early industrial speculation. While the parent Savold Tire Corporation initially experienced a surge in stock prices on the New York Curb Market, the New England branch, along with other regional subsidiaries, soon encountered legal and financial challenges. By the early 1920s, the company found itself entangled in the broader “Savold” scandals, which involved allegations of stock manipulation and inflated claims about their retreading technology. Despite its ambitious start and the genuine need for tire conservation in New England’s rugged driving conditions, the company’s legacy serves as a cautionary tale of the “Roaring Twenties” boom-and-bust cycle.