References & Resources (America)

In the USA, where are there fairly complete colections of the following: The Automobile, Motor Age, Horseless Age, Motor, Automobile Review, Motor West, and other serials (periodicals) from the early decades of American racing?

I konw that the Smithsonian has some of these in their transportation collection (been there) and so does the Detroit Public Library in its special collection devoted to the automobile. Where else in the USA? The New York Public Library?

I thought I had compiled a list of reference and research materials available at the various locations in the USA, but for the life of me I cannot find a copy of it in electrons on my computer.

Although the specific question is oriented towards the early period, I did the same for later materials, the IMRRC being one of the few places where much seems to be actually available for use.

I do have something that Phil Harms developed, which is entitled simply as "Auto Racing Periodic Index." It covers the early decades, pre-1920, and runs to 32 pages. It is in Acrobat format and I will be happy to pass it on to those who do not have a copy of it.

My work has taken quite a hit with the loss of any access to ProQuest when the Godfrey Library lost use of this incredible resource. The other source for accessing older newspapers is nowhere as easy to use nor, frankly, as good, but it does manage to be of some use.

I am also looking at expanding my Gordon White microfilm collection in the coming months.

Eagerly anticipating returning to the fray.

By the way, anyone have a clue as to the disposition of The Phil Harms Collection? Or what really lurks in The Basement at the IMS and which is not on the Gordon White microfilm? Or...

Don I'm jman on Tf . When you get a chance could you PM about your index. There are good multi library search engines but you may need to be on site to use them. I use the University of Michigan liibrary. When I'm there I can access the search engines. Students and faculty can use them on line but I'm only an alum. Uof M has at least one issue of each of the national magazines. In some cases only a few issues but in 1 or 2 cases long runs. One subject area in whch they may have magazines that Detoit does not is early motorcycling. The library is open to the public but the auto periodicals are spread between 4 or 5 locations. One other Detroit area library of possible interest is that at the Henry Ford. There is not much info about their collection online, however.

There is a wonderful Museum and library in Hershey, PA. I am not sure of their online status.

http://www.aacalibrary.org/

I am asking about actual brick & mortar facilities and not just online access.

Thanks for AACA link, Gerr, since that was one of those I had earlier.

Jimmy, as mentioned, I used the Godfrey Memorial Library until it lost ProQuest which was quite a blow. Just PM me with an email adress if you want the index.

Originally posted by HDonaldCapps
I am asking about actual brick & mortar facilities and not just online access.

Thanks for AACA link, Gerr, since that was one of those I had earlier.

Jimmy, as mentioned, I used the Godfrey Memorial Library until it lost ProQuest which was quite a blow. Just PM me with an email adress if you want the index.

Don, a bit early but a section of this facility has been committed for motorsport remembrance when AIRPS gets to that point.

Hopefully, you, I and others present day will still be around to visit and view.

Henry

Apparently there are some issues of "Motor West" at the Stanford University Library. Not sure as to the exact extent of their collection, but worth checking into at any rate.

Finally realized what the Automobile Club of America's periodical was called -- "The Club Journal of the ACA." There are copies at the New York City Public Library.

Assuming that I could get away with it, the Michael L. Berger tome The Automobile in American History and Culture: A Reference Guide, looks very interesting, but as pricey as could be expected for such a work.

I have hopes that at some point we can pinpoint some of these collections and make them more readily available to scholars.

Don,

O/T I was watching some NHRA Drag Racing last night (from last summer) and there were two chaps , a Ryan Capps and a Ron Capps taking part, one team was sponsored by US Army any relation ?

Distant relatives, not that close. Jimmy Lee Capps from Jacksonville was a second cousin.

I came across something today which gave me reason for pause.

It is from something I read in the Stars & Stripes (7 February, page 13), the original article being from the Los Angeles Times and written by David W. Galenson and Joshua Kotin, "Creativity Blooms in the Nick of Time."

"At 63, Frost reflected that young people have flashes of insight, but 'it is later in the dark of life that you see forms, constellations. And it is the constellations that are philosophy.'"

I think that the hope of seeing "forms" and "constellations" is the reason we plug away at what we do.

Don,
I seem to recall the Blackhawk Museum having a large reference library. I've saw it a couple times when I have been there in the past...not sure if it's still there. The Nethercutt Collection also has a research archive and I would imagine it would have material dating back that far.
The Collier Museum has a some type of library but I am unaware of the details about it.

Cris

Has any one mentioned the library @ Watkins Glen, can't remember what the exact name is , but gokart Mozart's Eagle is residing there this winter.

International Motor Racing Research Center.

coller collection in naples fl

while not the biggest they do have some neat stuff
when there for the atlas visit
we saw the F-1 eagle blue prints

Believe me, Allen and I are very familiar with the IMRRC.

More food for thought, this time from Adam Gopnik in the 12 February 2007 issue of The New Yorker: "Real history is the slow-crawl study of small changes, from clan loyalties to price ratios—gradually shifting tectonic plates that suddenly erupt into visible mountains. We see the peaks, but the movement, not the mountain, is the story."