Premium Vanderbilia Estimated Market Values
Collectibles and memorabilia from the Vanderbilt Cup Races have turned up in auctions, flea markets and the Internet throughout the years. Please request market estimates on any Vanderbilia that you own in the Comment section or call Howard Kroplick at 1-516-625-0123. Below is a listing of “Vanderbilia” and an estimate of their market value (Updated: June 25, 2022):
| Vanderbilia | Description | Current Owner(s) | Estimated Market Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanderbilt Cup | 10½ gallon, 30-pound silver cup designed by Tiffany&Company in 1904. Held by winning manufacturer for one year from 1904 to 1916. | Smithsonian Institution | Priceless |
| 1 | Old 16 Locomobile | Winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race | The Henry Ford, Dearborn, Michigan | Priceless |
| 3 | Peter Helck Oil Paintings | Peter Helck (1893-1988) was an American artist who specialized in depicting races. Former owner of the Old 16 Locomobile, he painted over 50 paintings of the Vanderbilt Cup Races many published in his two books, The Checkered Flag and the Greatest Races. | Various | $5,000- $150,000 |
| 4 | Tiffany Winners' Plaque | 22 oval bronze plaques were produced by Tiffany & Company from 1904 to 1916. The race sponsors produced two plaques for each race that were presented to the winning driver and manufacturer. | Two plaques owned by private collectors are known to exist | $20,000 - $75,000 |
| 5 | Race brassards (armbands) | Armbands worn by race officials | Various | $2,000- $10,000 |
| 6 | Motor Parkway Porcelain License Plate | A 5” x 5” porcelain annual-fee plate was issued to permit unrestricted year-round use on the Long Island Motor Parkway. | Various | $1,000 - $3,500 |
| 7 | Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup Mascot | Issued by the Locomobile Company in celebration of their 1908 victory, mascot was available to replace the radiator cap in the 1909 models. A paperweight version was also made. | Various | $750 - $3,500 |
| 8 | Vanderbilt Cup Race Pennants | Pennants were made for the 1905 to 1916 Vanderbilt Cup Races | Various | $750- $12,000 |
| 9 | Vanderbilt Cup Board Game | Rare 17" x 8 1/2" board game tri-fold opens to 30" x17" and shows 1906 race course. Sold by Bower & Hard Company. | Various | $1,000- $4,000 for complete sets ($250- $500 for board only) |
Comments
I have a collection of period photographs and an autographed photo by Louis Wagner from the Savannah Grand Prize and Vanderbilt Cup races held 1908, 1910 and 1911. Also, in March of 1908, Savannah held the first stock car races in America to prove to the Vanderbilt powers that Savannah could host the race and I have 3 photographs of cars and drivers racing on the course from that race too! Can you let me send some .jpg images to you so that I could get an idea of the value? Thanks!
Kim,
It would be a pleasure. You can send me the Savannah race jpegs to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). The 1911 Vanderbilt Cup Race was held in Savannah and then headed west:
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/races/1911-1960/races_from_1911_1960
Howard
Love your site and have to get your book. My great grandfather was Frank Lee, Harry Grant’s mechanic. We have many photos from the races. The photo of them crossing the finish line hung in my great-grandmothers and then our home. The house burned in 99.It was a pleasure to see the picture again.
Jan:
Thanks for the post. I have a bunch of photos of Harry Grant and Frank Lee. If you would like copies, just send your email address to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Enjoy!
Howard
I purchased an oil painting from Alfred Gabali West Denis on Cape Cod in 1954. The artist wrote on the back of the picture “The Last Race between Vanderbilts Defender and Sir Liptons’ Shamrock in 1914. Is this of value to you?
howard, thank you for purchasing the pennant. after having been laid off a month ago .... it will help with the bills!
Richard:
Thanks for the comment. The 1909 pennant looks great and will be used in future Vanderbilt Cup Races exhibits.
Enjoy,
Howard
i recently purchased this 28 x 19 locomobile cardboard poster showing the winner of the oct 24 1908 vandebilt cup race.the color is great and condition is good for such an old piece.any help on this would be appreciated.i have the origional old frame and glass as well.in the image it reads frank presby co. and Zt Schultz
Hi Mark:
Here is link to information on your poster:
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/sunday
Enjoy,
Howard
I just came across an original program book of the 1912 Vanderbilt cup race in Milwaukee. What is the current market for Vanderbilia ? Thank you