Journal The Society of Automotive Historians, Inc. Issue 246 Electronic Edition July-August 2010 Brinksmanship, page 10 Inside Date Reminders President’s Message 2 SAH News 3 September 30, 2010 SAH Banquet Reservations Due What Is It? 4 Patrick Bisson Letters 5 [email protected] Book Reviews 7 Fast Ladies: Female Racing Drivers 1888-1970 October 8, 2010 Porsche 356 SAH Banquet Weller Brothers of Memphis Hershey Country Club, Hershey, PA www.autohistory.org July - August 2010 1 - Families rarely continue a deceased Journal President’s Message family member’s collecting passion; Estate Settlement and Auctions - Collectors often make few The Society of Automotive Historians, Inc. Issue 246 July-August 2010 arrangements, or none, for the Offi cers This July 9, the Stanley Museum, my disposition of their collection because Susan S. Davis President ‘alma mater’ if you will, had its 7th of their passion: they rarely face their J. Douglas Leighton Vice President Consignment Auction. There were more own mortality. And indeed, such Robert R. Ebert Secretary than 420 lots, including fi ve Stanleys, passion often adds years to their lives; Patrick D. Bisson Treasurer most of them in running condition. - Among collections of high market Board of Directors Rather than being an estate sale, value, “friends” as well as complete Through October 2010 individuals had consigned parts and cars. strangers often approach a widowed Paul N. Lashbrook Stanton A. Lyman While being a great fundraiser, these spouse with fair and/or unfair offers, Judith E. Endelman consignment auctions also circulate parts sometimes even before the funeral Through October 2011 in the hobby. This started as both service has taken place, an enormously John A. Marino John Heitmann David M. Woodhouse and fundraiser almost by accident back distressing experience. Darwyn H. Lumley, ex-offi cio in 1995. Through October 2012 Recently, I heard of an unusually Steve Wilson Leslie Kendall Devastated by her husband’s accidental good outcome. When a model Thomas S. Jakups death in a plane crash, the widow of a railroader learned he had terminal major Stanley collector had held onto her cancer, he set about pricing every SAH Annual Awards deceased husband’s collection for years. piece of his O-scale railroad layout. Benz Award, magazine article Bradley Award, research institution She defl ected inquiries about selling the He completed the project before he Brigham Award, magazine material for years. The fi nal straw came died, enabling his family to sell the Cugnot Award, English language book when her husband’s best friend offered collection with little problem. Note Cugnot Award, Non-English book to take care of everything for a modest the situation: Cancer forced this Friend of Automotive History share. collector to face his mortality. Ingersoll Award, non-print media Scharchburg Award, student paper Her situation exposed a sad reality of In cases where such planning does SAH Journal the car collecting world. The collector not happen and the value is high, the Allan G. Y. Meyer, Editor, Adv. Mgr. may know value in the market place, best solution is usually an appraiser, P.O. Box 1948 but that doesn’t transfer magically to the who can often save the estate money Vashon, WA 98070-1948 USA spouse, who may in fact have given up in the long run. Appraisers at larger 206-304-3872 [email protected] much to allow her husband’s continued auction houses are salaried, not [email protected] “investment” in his collection, whether in working on commission, so one can a new acquisition or an important repair expect objective advice from people Publications Committee Thomas S. Jakups, Chair or restoration. The spouse rarely has the not only passionate about the objects Christopher G. Foster same depth of knowledge regarding her but also knowledgeable about the D. David Duricy Donald J. Keefe husband’s passion or its actual value. market. Proper appraisals can protect Steve Wilson Allan Meyer This sets her up as a potential victim of the family from undervaluing or someone else’s passion. And it is always overvaluing the collection. SAH Journal (ISSN 1057–1973) is published six times a year by the a Passion for both the deceased and Society of Automotive Historians, Inc. remaining friends. This translates to most The use of a museum experienced collections. with consignment auctions as a Subscription is by membership regular fundraiser is a good way to in the Society. After running fi ve of these auctions dispose of a collection, putting all Membership dues are $40 per year. before changing jobs in 2006, I’ve the work onto the institution and Send dues, membership inquiries broken this down into several parts: connecting to the audience most and changes of address to - Spouses and families are at a interested in the specifi c objects. The Society of Automotive Historians, Inc. disadvantage determining the value of Stanley Museum consignment auction 178 Crescent Road the car/railroad/ephemera collection of has become such a popular way of Fairport, NY 14450 USA their deceased spouse; refreshing a tired steam car parts ©2010 - Collectors themselves can overvalue, inventory that it is used by many of The Society of Automotive Historians, Inc. or undervalue, their collection when the same players every time it occurs. Find the Society of Automotive Historians they are not active players in the on the web at www.autohistory.org. market, sometimes translating to poor If a car, railroad or literature collection preparation for their spouse’s or family’s is of exceptional size and value, there disposition of these collections; are small, large, local or international Copy Deadline for Journal 247 - Spouses or families sometimes place auction houses that will handle a September 1, 2010 values far higher than market; collection’s disposition. Choosing the 2 SAH Journal No. 246 Electronic Edition right one needs research and masterful, Friend of Automotive professional management, often SAH News entailing an impressive bidding process. History Winners Roll Automotive history collections are of great intellectual value but usually little Here is the updated list for the Friend monetary value. Here the question of Automotive History Award. is more of fi nding a home that can make the collection accessible to the 1983 Henry Austin Clark, Jr. researching public rather than having 1984 Charles L. Betts, Jr. it go on the dump or into paper 1985 Richard and Grace Brigham recycling. Last year we lost Z. Taylor 1986 Beverly Rae Kimes Vinson, a guiding star of automotive 1987 Peter Helck history. He willed his impressive 1988 Keith Marvin collection of catalogs from 1891 to 2009 SAH Fundraising Appeal 1989 Ralph Dunwoodie to the Hagley Museum and Library in 1990 Michael Lamm Wilmington, Delaware. The Society received additional con- 1991 David L. Lewis tributions from the following donors 1992 John A. Conde As with everything Taylor did, this was since publication of the list in the 1993 Frederick D. Roe well thought through and arranged previous issue of the Journal. 1994 Walter A. MacIlvain well ahead of his departure. As with 1995 Chester L. Krause the model railroader, this is an ideal. We wish to thank, 1996 L. Scott Bailey Perhaps by talking and writing about Bernard A. Siegal, Member #1439, 1997 Lord Montague of Beaulieu this, we can encourage collectors to Michael C. McGowan, Member #2559, 1998 Michael Worthington-Williams think about their own collections and Sandra Kasky Button, Member #2626 1999 David Brownell plan for this fi nal transition. Far better for the Pebble Beach Concours Foun- 2000 Paul Berliet & Thomas E. Warth to preserve the value of a lifetime dation. 2001 John Martin Smith of collecting passion than to see it —Patrick Bisson 2002 Richard Langworth & simply slip into oblivion, along with its Karl Ludvigsen passionate collector. —Susan Davis 2003 Z.Taylor Vinson 2004 Maurice D. Hendry 2005 Leroy D. Cole or more than a century, 2006 Bobbie’dine Rodda F designers have created 2007 Malcolm Jeal vehicles able to travel both 2008 Thomas Brownell on land and in water or air, 2009 G. Marshall Naul for both civil and military —Darwyn Lumley applications. Sometimes converted from standard vehicles, sometimes beginning as clean-sheet designs, these machines have addressed the engineering and economic challenges of dual-mode travel with varying degrees of success. This book describes an array of these vehicles from the United States and abroad. 240pp. $45 softcover (7 × 10) 160 photos, glossary, bibliography, index ISBN 978-0-7864-4556-1 2010 McFarland Box 6¡¡, Jefferson NC 28640 • Orders 800-253-2¡87 • FAX 336-246-4403 • www.mcfarlandpub.com July - August 2010 3 What Is It? Tatra T600 with coachwork by Sodomka. The car was built for Communist Party rulers. More information on this car and the Sodomka fi rm will appear in the next issue of the Journal. The car featured the expected air-cooled engine cantile- vered behind the rear axle. Images from editor’s collection. ight years in the making, The Greatest Auto Race Eon Earth is now available on DVD, telling the story of the 1908 New York to Paris auto race. Through never before seen photos and exact running replicas of the Thomas Flyer, German Protos, and Zust, the story of these brave men and their machines is told as they travelled 22,000 miles in 169 days. With stunning cinematography and cutting edge computer graphics, we look at the hardships and accomplishments of such heroes as George Schuster, Lt. Hans Koeppen, and the popular Italian, Antonio Scarfoglio. Mastered to HD, this 95 minute program has already garnered numerous NEW YORK TO PARIS - 1908 awards. Use PayPal and order online at www.thegreatestautorace.com or send your name and address with a cheque or Money Order for $35.44 ($29.99 + $5.45 S/H) to The 1908 Great Auto Race Film Company Ltd., #202, 10816A-82 Ave., Edmonton, Alberta.