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Vanderbilt Cup, 1904

Object Details

Description
William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. and AAA established America’s first international auto race in 1904. Held annually on Long Island’s public roads, the race was aimed at improving the performance of American automobiles. The trophy, a silver cup made by Tiffany, is inscribed with the winning entries and an image of Vanderbilt in his Mercedes race car. After a spectator fatality in 1906, Vanderbilt constructed the first highway designed for automobiles, the Long Island Motor Parkway, where races resumed in 1908. After more fatalities, the race relocated to Georgia, Wisconsin, and California. Vanderbilt donated the cup to the Smithsonian in 1934.
Location
Currently on loan
Data Source
National Museum of American History
maker
Tiffany & Co.
date made
1904
Credit Line
Gift of William K. Vanderbilt, Jr.
Measurements
overall: 23 in x 20 in; 58.42 cm x 50.8 cm
Object Name
trophy
Vanderbilt Cup
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