Helmet Used by George Robertson in 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

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Artifact Overview

New York-born George Robertson wore this simple cloth cap when he won the Vanderbilt Cup in 1908. Established in 1904, the Vanderbilt Cup was the first important racing prize in the United States, and Robertson's car, "Old 16" built by Connecticut-based Locomobile, was the first American-made automobile to claim it.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Helmet

Date Made

circa 1908

Creators

Location

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

Object ID

97.35.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Jerry Helck.

Material

Cloth
Brass (Alloy)
Nickel (Metal)
Silk (Textile)
Steel
Synthetic fiber

Color

Black (Color)
Purplish red

Dimensions

Height: 18.5 in
Width: 10 in

Inscriptions

Label: SMITH-HAINES / 1651 BROADWAY COR. 51st ST. / NEW YORK
Helmet Used by George Robertson in 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race