Meeting the Granddaughter of a Vanderbilt Cup Race Photographer
Today I had a fascinating meeting with Catherine Pickering, granddaughter of William Pickering. As one of the first Long Island photographers, William Pickering shot scenes of the the Vanderbilt Cup Races from 1905 to 1910. Pickering would then sell these photos as postcards in his East Broadway Roslyn store.
The above Pickering photo shows the #8 Fiat driven by Felice Nazarro during the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race. The Fiat is racing on Jericho Turnpike in Mineola at the Oyster Bay Long Island Rail Road crossing. Note the parked train stopped to watch the race. Among the spectators on the train's platform was Ralph Peters, President of the Long Island Rail Road.
Catherine Pickering has graciously agreed to allow me to show more of her grandfather's Vanderbilt Cup Race photos in future posts. Thanks, Catherine, it was a pleasure meeting you!
Comments
Howard- Great pictures. Amazing how you find them!
Can you identify the young lady standing on the west side of Lakeville Road on the ruins of the bridge? Could she be a resident of the house that later became the Lake Success Jewish Center or a daughter or granddaughter of Helen Sperry Lea who lived in Vanderbilt’s former manager who lived in the house next to his mansion, still standing today. (very much renovated)
Sorry I will not be able to attend the Great Neck showing of your car in October. I will be in California for a wedding.
Best regards, Jack
Hi Jack:
Thanks for the comment. I replied on the Great Neck Lodge post.
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/wednesday_september_16_2009_the_great_neck_lodge_in_lake_success/
Enjoy,
Howard