Jul 08 2019

Mystery Foto #27 Solved:  Officials of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race and Reginald Vanderbilt


This weekend's holiday Mystery Foto featured five Vanderbilt Cup Race officials.

Mystery Foto questions:

  • Identify the location and the orientation of the photographer

In front of the 1906 grandstand on Jericho Turnpike in Westbury.  The photographer was looking south.

  • Identify the Vanderbilt Cup Race

1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  • Identify the five officials and their role, if any, in this Vanderbilt Cup Race

              A. Fred Wagner-Starter

              B. William K. Vanderbilt, Jr.- Referee

              C. Reginald Vanderbilt- Cousin of Willie K. and father of Gloria Vanderbilt and grandfather of Anderson Cooper.

              D. A.G. Batchelder (80% probability)- Member of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Commission and the Press Committee

              E.Jefferson DeMont Thompson-  Chairman of the Vanderbilt Cup Commission

   Comments (4)

Congrats and kudos to Steve Lucas and Brian McCarthy for identifying the Westbury location and at least three men in the Mystery Foto.    

Enjoy,

Howard Kroplick

Henry Ford was a member of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Commission.


Close-Ups

A. Fred Wagner

Fred Wagner made history during the 1906 race by using a checkered flag to signify the end of a race. Willie K. can be seen standing above the flag. Note: The flags match the flags seen in the Mystery Foto.

B. William K. Vanderbilt, Jr.

C.  Reginald Vanderbilt

D. A.G. Batchelor (Likely)

E. Jefferson DeMont Thompson


Comments

Jul 07 2019 Greg O. 9:57 AM

Only recognizing Willie K, Jefferson De Mont Thomson (chairman of the cup commission) Reggie Vanderbilt, maybe A.L. Riker, (unsure about the last) standing at the grandstands of the 1906 Cup Race.

Jul 07 2019 Steve Lucas 8:22 PM

The photo was taken in front of the grandstand on Jericho Turnpike in Westbury during the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race. Since the grandstand was on the south side of the road, the photographer was facing approximately south-west. Person B is Willie K., referee; “C” is his cousin Reginald Vanderbilt who I believe was an associate referee; “E” is Jefferson DeMont Thompson, who wore two hats: Chairman of the Vanderbilt Cup Commission and Chairman of the AAA Racing Board. No clue on the other two men - looking forward to the answer.

Jul 08 2019 Brian D McCarthy 6:48 PM

I like this one!

Location & Orientation:  Jericho Tpke, Westbury NY. Photographer was viewing in a SW direction ( grandstand is on the south side, men are on the north side )

ID race:  VCR October 6 1906

ID Officials & Roles: 
      A - Even though he reminds me of a Nintendo character ‘Wario’, my best guess is A.L. Riker, who owned The Locomobile Company.
      B - William K Vanderbilt II, donor of Vanderbilt Cup.
      C - Reginald Vanderbilt, cousin to Willy K, grandfather to Anderson Cooper.
      D - My best guess is A.G. Batchelder, Board Member.
      E - Jefferson de Mont Thompson, Vanderbilt Cup Commission Chairman.

Found most of my answers on your site here, Howard. Thanks

 

 

Jul 08 2019 Dick Gorman 7:39 PM

Mystery Foto # 27… The photo is showing the start/finish line of the 1906 Vanderbilt cup race. Didn’t get all of the names but Photo B is William K Vanderbilt Jr. Photo E is Jefferson DeMont Thompson, AAA Board chairman. That’s all I’ve got today

Jul 09 2019 Brian D McCarthy 9:04 AM

Oh well, I named 4 of the 5. A - Fred Wagner, was tough to figure.

Leave a Comment