Mystery Foto #31 Solved: Willie K and Birdie Vanderbilt at the 1899 Newport Parade in a Locomobile
Bruce Adams challenged you to identify this weekend's Mystery Friday Foto.
Answers to the Mystery Foto questions:
- Identify the husband and wife
21-Year old William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. and 24-year old Virginia "Birdie" Vanderbilt. The Vanderbilts were married six months earlier in New York City.
- What event was captured in the photo?
The first automobile parade ever held in Newport, Rhode Island
- What is the date of the photo?
Friday, September 8, 1899
- Bonus: Identify the automobile
An 1899 Locomobile Steamer
Congrats to Ariejan Bos (see Bos' Bonus), Steve Lucas, Greg O., Art Kleiner(see Kleiner's Korner), and Florence Ogg for identifying the newlyweds Willie K. and Birdie Vanderbilt. Kudos to Ariejan Bos and Art Kleiner for identifying the Newport parade held in September 1899 in a Locomobile.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
Automobiles in the September 8, 1899 Newport Parade
William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. and Virginia "Birdie" Vanderbilt in a 1899 Locomobile Steamer
This photo is hanging in Alva Vanderbilt Belmont's Marble House in Newport, Rhode Island, courtesy of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum.
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The Vanderbilts received first prize for speed.
Submitted by Art Kleiner
Submitted by Ariejan Bos
Tessie Fair Oelrichs and W.G. Max Muller (Of the British Embassy)
Tessie Oelrichs , Virginia Vanderbilt's sister, and Muller won first prize for decorations. Submitted by Ariejan Bos
Alva Vanderbilt Belmont and H.J. Gerard in a golf rig
Yes, that's Willie K's mother! Submitted by Art Kleiner
Submitted by Art Kleiner
Submitted by Ariejan Bos
Mrs. John Jacob Astor and Harry Lehr
Submitted by Ariejan Bos
H.R. Taylor and Miss Marie Winthrop
Submitted by Ariejan Bos
Phoenix Ingraham and Miss Scott in an electric Golf Brake
Submitted by Ariejan Bos
Reginald Ronalds (a Rough Rider) with Mrs.John R. Drexel
Submitted by Ariejan Bos
Roger Wintrop's Winton Gasoline Phaeton
Submitted by Ariejan Bos
Bos' Bonus (Submitted by Ariejan Bos)
The Automobile Magazine, October 1899
The Horseless Age, September 20, 1899
Kleiner's Korner (Submitted by Art Kleiner)
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, September 8, 1899
The Automobile Magazine, October 1899
Rhode Island Guide to the Smallest State, 1937
Comments
From Ariejan Bos:
Today’s mystery made me wander around a little at first and I was not very hopeful until a lucky shot guided me into the right direction. Above the articles from The Automobile Magazine (October 1899) and from The Horseless Age (Sept. 20 1899).
The mystery photo shows William K. Vanderbilt, Jr., and his wife Mrs. Vanderbilt (Virginia Graham Fair) during the floral parade on September 8, 1899 in Newport, Rhode Island. He is driving a Locomobile steamer. Prizes were awarded for speed, decoration and skillful driving. It will not be surprising that Vanderbilt won the award for speed! It may seem incredible now that The Automobile Magazine spent 13 pages on a description of this event, however it gives a good insight in the way the automobile landed in high society circles and what they used it for in the very beginning!
Regards,
Ariejan
I’ve seen this picture before,but don’t remember what the event was for. The car looks like a horseless carriage. I thought I’d do this now,while I’ve got time.I don’t know what’s going on this weekend yet
Husband and wife? Right now, no clue.
Event? I will guess a marriage
Date? 1903
Bonus? 1903 Curved Dash Olds
Hopefully I trip over something in time, but it’s not looking good.
Easy- it’s Jack {Petal to the Metal) Inthepulpit and his wife Daisy (née Floradora) in their 1898 Car-Nation at the 30 Feb 1899 Rose Bowl parade. I don’t have the stamena to continue.
Looks like taken in Newport RI about 1899 or so car un known too many flowers.
Could that be Willie K. and his first wife Virginia (Birdie) at the re-opening of the “Idle Hour” estate in 1901, having been rebuilt after the fire of 1899? The car might be a Renault.
Good one Bruce! Couldn’t find out too much for this one. Just taking a wild stab at it and I’m not very confident on the guess…
Willie K Vanderbilt Jr. and his first wife Virginia Birdie Graham Fair maybe sometime around their wedding in 1899, -judging by the car, floral decorations and how young they look. (Although their wedding was on a Sunday and not a Friday)
Willie K did like Mercedes/Daimler at the time and it looks like it could possibly be an early Daimler.
Identify the husband and wife: Willie K. and wife, Virginia Graham Fair
What event was captured in the photo?: Newport Automobile Parade
What is the date of the photo? September 7, 1899
Bonus: Identify the automobile: Locomobile
From Florence Ogg:
If I remember the correctly the photo of the Vanderbilts in a car was taken in Newport at an annual event with many other decorated cars. Somewhere in the SCVM archives there is a photo in one of the albums of that event including the photo shown. Good luck.
Florence
Hey - I got the year right! I still like my response best but - OMG - those decorations! Whooie! Nice to be filthy rich with all kinds of retainers to do the cars up brown for you. Sam, III