Jul 26 2023

From the Helck Family Collection: Unpublished Photos from the 1908 Sweepstakes Races


A small stash of glass negative photos found in the Helck Family Collection display photos from the grandstands at the October 10th, 1908 Nassau, Motor Parkway, and Meadow Brook Sweepstakes Races.

After a bit of digital manipulation, I was able to extract the images from the negatives. I believe these to be never-before published and haven't been seen in over 100 years.

Greg O.

On the left, the #P46 Renault driven by Lewis Strang who finished 2nd in the Motor Parkway Sweepstakes.

On the right and about to be passed, is the M36 Rainier driven by Axel Peterson who came in 4th for the Meadow Brook Sweepstakes.

The rarely seen #N8 R.E.O. racer driven by A.F. Camacho, the 7th place finisher in the Nassau Sweepstakes.

The winner of the Motor Parkway Sweepstakes, Herb Lytle in the #P42 Isotta at 64.25 MPH.

The #M32 Rainier driven by Louis Disbrow finishing 2nd in the Meadow Brook Sweepstakes.

Hughie Hughes in the #M35 Allen-Kingston. Hughes' 1st place, 56.6 MPH winning A-K can always be identified by the 4 spare tires he carried during the race.

Lytle again in the #P42 Isotta.

William Haupt in the #P41 Chadwick finishing 5th in the Motor Parkway Sweepstakes.

And finally, Lewis Strang again in the #P46 Renault.



Comments

Jul 27 2023 Gary Hammond 8:17 AM

These are GREAT!  Love the details, including the grouping of the international flags, and the outstretched tarp over the pit area.  Such a different angle to experience the race!  Thanks Greg, you cannot beat a glass plate negative!

Jul 27 2023 mark desantis 5:48 PM

And if you were there with a color camera it might look like this,

image
Jul 27 2023 Gram spina 9:45 PM

It was a thrill to discover these glass negatives within the archives! And as always Greg, you were able to find all the information on them in seemingly lighting speed!

Jul 28 2023 al velocci 10:30 AM

Greg, GREAT !

Jul 30 2023 Mark Schaier 2:57 AM

Great views of the PIT STOP!

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