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Monday, January 23, 2017

A Strang Mailday

It's been awhile since I've added to my T36 set.  I had to take a look back through my eBay purchases to see that the last one probably arrived in October.  That'll happen when you're not willing to pay for overpriced buy it now eBay items.

1911 American Tobacco Auto Drivers #22 Lewis P. Strang
1911 American Tobacco Auto Drivers #22 Lewis P. Strang
I've already picked up cards from this set of other Indianapolis 500 drivers, including a winner.  Now I have THE card of the pole sitter for the Inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911.  This is the only card of Lewis P. Strang listed on either Sports Card Forum or Trading Card Database.

Strang was relieved during the race and the car finished 29th, completing just 109 of the 200 laps.  He was passed on the first lap and did not lead any laps during the race.  It would be his only appearance in the 500.  In an ironic twist of fate, he was killed less than two months later "while driving along a country road at no more than four miles an hour."

LINK:  Vanderbilt Cup Races - Lewis Strang
LINK:  Hemmings Daily - How Strang met his death
LINK:  The First Super Speedway - Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Strang

This card is my fifth unique front from the set of 25.  I have seven total (out of what I think are 100 cards) now.  If you haven't read my posts from Bean's Ballcard Blog, I suspect that there are four back variations for each card, but I haven't been able to confirm that so far.


I just wish more of these would come up at auction so that I could get them at a realistic price and add to my collection at a much faster pace.  Patience may be a virtue, but it's annoying!
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8 comments:

  1. Billy KingsleyJanuary 24, 2017 at 4:37 AM

    I need to hunt down an example of this set. As the first auto racing set ever issued it's really unacceptable that I have not gotten a single one yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KinJanuary 24, 2017 at 9:14 PM

      It will take patience. The ones on eBay have at least a $25 buy it now. They don't come up for auction too often.

      Delete
  2. Tony BurbsJanuary 24, 2017 at 8:21 AM

    I had no idea that Lewis Strang met his end in such a bizarre fashion nor that it was so soon after his Indy pole. I learned something today.

    Also, phenomenal card - this set is going to look awesome when you eventually get it all put together.

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    Replies
    1. KinJanuary 24, 2017 at 9:18 PM

      I just hope to be alive long enough to complete it!

      Delete
  3. shoeboxlegendsJanuary 24, 2017 at 8:37 AM

    I'm not a racing guy so I'd never heard of these but man those are some cool cards!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KinJanuary 24, 2017 at 9:17 PM

      I love them! They are still a pretty recent discovery for me.

      Delete
  4. HackenbushJanuary 28, 2017 at 10:22 PM

    Great cards! The early days of racing were unbelievable. Those guys were crazy.

    ReplyDelete
  5. FujiJanuary 29, 2017 at 10:22 PM

    You gotta love century old cardboard. Great looking set! Interesting story behind Strang's death. Looking up the history of people is one of the coolest parts of collecting vintage cards.

    ReplyDelete