"Climb to the Clouds" Trophy Won by Harry S. Harkness, 1904

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Artifact Overview

Endurance contests such as hill climbs demonstrated to a wary public that early automobiles were not just playthings for the wealthy, but practical tools that could perform under challenging conditions. Harry S. Harkness drove his 60-horsepower Mercedes to victory in the first Mount Washington Hill Climb Race, which has been held in New Hampshire off and on since 1904.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Trophy (Object)

Date Made

1904

Subject Date

12 July 1904

Creators

Place of Creation

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Driven to Win: Racing in America

Object ID

86.185.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Material

Sterling silver
Antler
Plate (Material)

Technique

Plating (Metal coating)

Color

Silver (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 10.5 in
Width: 9.5 in (including antlers)
Diameter: 6 in (of base)
Diameter: 5.75 in (of mouth)

Inscriptions

Engraved on front of trophy: "CLIMB TO THE CLOUDS" / MT. WASHINGTON / N.H. / JULY 12th 1904 / WON BY / HARRY S. HARKNESS / TIME 24 MIN. 37 SEC / DISTANCE 8 MILES-ELEVATION 6293 FEET Impressed on bottom: S (within a winged circle) / STERLING / 23 * 57 / 20 T
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