Hundreds of wall labels at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, read “Gift of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf.” In fact, nearly 3,000 works, including late 19th-century Japanese prints, American folk art, drawings by fashion designers, jewelry, architectural renderings, and concept drawings for automobiles have all been gifted by Fred and Jean Sharf. The couple have been trailblazers in various "under-appreciated" collecting fields.

Even while eclectic, their interest has always remained true to one particular theme: transportation. Former MFA trustee Fred Sharf, who is known as a whirlwind of energy with great enthusiasm, has long been fascinated by the acceleration of life that occurred in the mid-20th century. Planes, trains, and, most of all, automobiles, appear over and over again in the collection, capturing a moment in history when being on the move became paramount. Now, for the first time, the MFA has gathered the planes, trains, and automobiles that captured Fred's, and the world's, imagination. There are “spin-dizzies,” concept cars, see-through model planes, and a train that lights up; many by major designers such as Raymond Loewy and Viktor Schreckengost.