Helck Family Collection: Peter Helck’s Illustrated Wagner Envelopes
The great racing artist Peter Helck was a close friend of Louis Wagner, the winner of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race, for 13 years from 1947 to 1960. This friendship was marked by a multitude of correspondence between Montlhery, France and Millerton, New York, including artwork from Helck and photos from Wagner.
The Helck Family Collection has over 100 letters between Helck and Wagner and their translations. Last week, I found copies of eight illustrated envelopes that Peter Helck had sent to Louis Wagner.
All photos courtesy of the Helck Family Collection.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
This is the first letter Peter Helck wrote to Louis Wagner dated June 28, 1947.
Helck described how thrilled he was to see Wagner drive through the Village of Roslyn after winning the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race.
Louis Wagner (1882-1960) in 1956 at the age of 74 years.
This is the envelope that I found in the Helck Family Collection. Peter Helck hand wrote:" Photos: Wagner Decorated Letters."
Inside were eight black and white copies of the envelopes that Helck had sent to Wagner. Each envelope featured an illustrated scene of Wagner's greatest racing triumphs.
Helck's Illustrated Wagner Envelopes
Dated: July 16, 1953
1903 Paris-Madrid Race
Dated: September 19, 1950
1905 Gordon Bennett Cup Eliminations
Dated: January 30, 1951
1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Dated: September 2, 1947
1907 Kaiserpreis
Dated: April 21, 1951
1910 American Grand Prize
Dated: December 18, 1950
Dated: July 29, 1948
Dated: 1947
One of the Helck Illustrated Wagner Envelopes has amazingly survived.
The envelope was acquired by the Pullman Gallery of London from a friend of the Helcks.
Peter Helck apparently placed illustrations on many of his correspondence. Here was the response from one of his friends.
Comments
What treasures! Thanks for sharing, Howard.
Amazing way to recieve a letter from a friend. Each sent individually with unique artwork on the cover, without the use of printers and photoshop to assist. Wow!
Art’s got it right! Hmmm; mayhap I misremember but when I visited Peter ca. 1960, I went directly to Boston Corners (with an “S”!), with no Millerton involved. Google Maps and Wikipedia leave off the “S” but the latter’s history keeps it. Anyone know what this is all about? Howard, do you have any Helck stationery or such? Sam, III
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Howard Kroplick
Sam III, I am sure I do and check it out this week.
Howard I
The red Fiat S61shown on the envelope is the one that Wagner crashed in 1910 at the U.S. Grand Prix in Savannah. This fiat team of 3 cars was not allowed to race in the Vanderbilt Cup event because the displacement limit was 600 c.i. The Fiats were 616 c.i. They were later sleeved down to 589 c.i. for racing at Indianapolis. This particular car now resides in the Indianapolis Speedway Museum. One other team car is known to exist in the U.S.
Regards,
Randy Reed
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Howard Kroplick
Good job Randy!
I own the 1903 Paris-Madrid.
I am considering disposing of some items. If anyone has an interest feel free to contact me.
ALF
New to your blog, Howard. Love this Helck letter series! Always been a fan of his work and this gave me more insight. Thanks!