Indy 500 open wheel racing - aaa

[gonefishin]

I've been a fan of NASCAR for several years, and recently started collecting some vintage photographs from the early years of open sheel racing. I'm definitely not an expert in this area, but learning as I go. Here is one of my latest acquisitions, a vintage photo autographed in steel tip pen by Tommy Helton. Tommy won the Indy 500 in 1921 and 1923. He set the world's speed record in 1920 in the Duesenberg pictured. Unfortunately, he committed suicide in 1962. I've found it absolutely amazing how many world class drivers died racing in the 20's - 60's.

Any one out there collect vintage racing, AAA - etc.

[Bored5000]

Absolutely awesome Tommy Milton piece. My parents started taking me to local dirt track races when I was just a few months old, and i have remained deeply interested in the sport my entire life. I love seeing autographed photos from early Indy winners and what stuff sells when a vintage autographed photo of an early 500 winner pops up on eBay.

Milton also won Indy despite being blind in his right eye.

I am certainly not an Indy 500 autograph expert such as a guy like Mike Thomsen, but I know Tommy Milton is a tough 500 winner signature. Almost any winner pre-1930 is tough.

[gonefishin]

Thanks for the kind comments Eddie. I'm taking it to PSA on the 23rd for authentication and slabbing - just to protect it in the future. I can't believe PSA doesn't list Milton in the autograph price list, but maybe there just aren't enough to list.

I'm glad to hear of your experience and knowledge in this area! I recently acquired a few more autographed photos from the early days that are pretty cool. I'm waiting to receive them and will post a couple photos when they arrive.

I've been doing a lot reading about the early racing days and find that period very intriguing.

[Bored5000]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

Thanks for the kind comments Eddie. I'm taking it to PSA on the 23rd for authentication and slabbing - just to protect it in the future. I can't believe PSA doesn't list Milton in the autograph price list, but maybe there just aren't enough to list.

I'm glad to hear of your experience and knowledge in this area! I recently acquired a few more autographed photos from the early days that are pretty cool. I'm waiting to receive them and will post a couple photos when they arrive.

I've been doing a lot reading about the early racing days and find that period very intriguing.

I don't know if you saw this or not, but an autographed Tommy Milton photo sold for $810 at auction on eBay back in March.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17562802591...Bk9SR-rzlceQYg

Here is a link to collector Jim Vogel's Indy 500 autograph collection. That is a really neat site because it shows pictures of so many hard to find, vintage Indy drivers.

http://www.indy500autographs.com/

Here is a great Indy Star piece on collector Mike Thomsen's Indy 500 collection. Thomsen has autographs of over 600 drivers who have competed in the 500. He also writes a great column on collecting autographs with the Indy 500 Collector's Club organization.

https://www.indystar.com/picture-gal...tion/85047952/

[gonefishin]

Happy Sunday Eddie, I just checked out both sites - amazing collections! That's crazy stuff. Much appreciated, I may reach out to them just to compliment their collections.

Also, thanks for the ebay info - I wasn't aware what his auto sold for and haven't really checked pricing. I was going to gift the Milton photo to my Son-In-Law as he has always been into racing, but now I might just keep it!

Now I have some great reference points when I do research on my forthcoming photo's and ephemera. Thanks to you!

[Bored5000]

Mike Thomsen is the Director of Communications for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and he is active on social media discussing collecting autographs of drivers from the 500.

Here is another great article about him and his collection. Definitely give this a read:

https://www.indystar.com/story/sport...alry/84772170/

Another article about Indy 500 autographs:

https://www.autoweek.com/racing/indy...-history-home/

Here is Mike Thomsen's Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Thomsen419?ref_s...Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Thomsen put out his own set of Indy 500 cards last year:

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...ng-cards-indy/

[indy500autographs]

Originally Posted by Bored5000

I don't know if you saw this or not, but an autographed Tommy Milton photo sold for $810 at auction on eBay back in March.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17562802591...Bk9SR-rzlceQYg

Here is a link to collector Jim Vogel's Indy 500 autograph collection. That is a really neat site because it shows pictures of so many hard to find, vintage Indy drivers.

http://www.indy500autographs.com/

Here is a great Indy Star piece on collector Mike Thomsen's Indy 500 collection. Thomsen has autographs of over 600 drivers who have competed in the 500. He also writes a great column on collecting autographs with the Indy 500 Collector's Club organization.

https://www.indystar.com/picture-gal...tion/85047952/

Milton is not a super common autograph, the land speed record photo that the OP posted is the most common item that Milton signed frankly. Great item.

[gonefishin]

Hey there, Jim here, I'm assuming this is Mike. Thanks for posting. Eddie provided a lot of information and insight. I appreciate your comments on PSA, and I'm concerned a little as they don't list either Melton or Schindler in their price listing for authentication. I'm going to drop them off at the Long Beach Expo show on Friday and pick up the Schindler on Saturday. I'm also having them classify and encapsulate the Melton, so it will take a couple of months to get that one back.

Congratulations on your Indy autograph collection. I checked out the links and read the articles. Pretty impressive and I'm guessing tremendously hard to complete. My hat's off to you.