Vanderbilt Cup Races

When asked about the stamp, Walt graciously volunteered why and how it came to be and the reason for it never being issued. 

"Yes, I know the full story behind the stamp proposal. Austin Clark and I were both active in the L.I. Old Car Club, a Chapter of the NY Region of the Veteran Motor Car Club of America. The club focused on vehicles built prior to WWII and that was the cut off date for most events, tours activities they held.

It would be 75 years in 1983 to celebrate the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup race where an American made car won the race for the first time. So Austin and I thought it was appropriate to try to get a stamp issued to note that. Applications were obtained from the federal government to do so, filled out and I did the artwork mock up for the stamp. We expected if granted that they would have an artist of their choice do the artwork for the stamp, not me, even though I was an artist and art teacher who had a Masters Degree in Art.

So we got the application and I did a pen and ink sketch and gave it to Austin who submitted it and of course it never happened as subjects for stamps about historic important automotive events were not what the post office usually would embrace - they recognized more important ( to them) things like National Eat a Turnip Day, or Save the Sewer Day. But in any event the LIOCC did have a driving tour to celebrate the anniversary in the Fall of that year nearest to the date of the original race as possible. If I recall correctly somehow the LIOCC managed to get the route blocked off as we drove it with our pre WWII era cars by the police! yes that stopped modern traffic to let us pass at speed (no we didn't race - well most of us didn't) .

The LIOCC would always look to celebrate the Vanderbilt Cup races for a 50th, 60th, 70th etc. anniversary - it gave us an excuse to go out to dinner usually at the Main Maid Inn because it was near the original route and we could take over the whole place for those that signed up to attend and it was a good place to park the old cars when we were inside . The committee that organized the celebrations usually were: Bill & Pt Tyrrel, Joe & Betty Bowra, Austin Clark, Wally McCarthy, Me, Joe & Mary Wulfken."

The article found in "The Best of Old Cars Weekly".  (Volume Four, 1982)

Thanks Walt for this interesting story of the stamp that never came to be.  Could another try be in the works to complement this Indy 500 stamp?