Post by harveythedog2 on Jun 2, 2019 11:17:10 GMT -5
Okay, my wife has worked at the Toledo Zoo for over 30 years and she has known a couple named Bob & Sandy Morris for just about that long. The are now both in their late 70's and Sandy used to go to the Indy 500 for many years. Sandy has told me many stories (I think she was pretty wild) and she claims to be the first woman ever allowed in the pits. The first woman I believe allowed in the pits was Amiela Earhart but I didn't have the heart to tell her that. Still, she has a stories upon stories. Anyway, for about a year now she has been telling about a guy that had an incredible Indy collection that he was thinking of selling. His name is Dan and he is in poor health and has Parkinson disease and his only other living family member is his sister. Well, last Thursday I had the honor to meet Dan and have him show me the collection that he and his Dad had acquired over the years. I was amazed at some of the stuff he had. Old programs, (some with autographs!) hats, seat cushions, toy cars, magazines and newspapers, etc. I spent over two hours at his house looking at stuff and could have probably stayed a week if I could.
Even though Dan had told Sandy he was wanting to sell the collection, I could tell that he just couldn't bear letting it go that night. Dan told me that when he passes, his sister has vowed to throw everything away! I told him to please not let that happen and he promised me to think about it and call me this week. My fingers are crossed that I will be allowed to purchase everything he has.
One of the coolest things other than the old programs are four scrap books. Each book is 5 inches thick and have Indianapolis Star newspaper clippings in it. One book had 1964, 65, 66, 67, 68 & 69 in it. In these scrap books are photos I have never seen before. Stories of the drivers, owners and cars galore all through the month of May for each year. Once aqain Steve Turner enlightened me and told me "That's how it was back then". The race was not televised and the only way to get any information was to subscribe to the Indy Star during the month of May. For Dan and his father to save all this stuff over the years is amazing. Paper STP hat autographed by Andy Granetelli still in it's original packaging? Totally cool.
Below are just some examples of the stuff! Some stuff is rough but for the most part in very good condition.
Can you make out some of the autographs? I looked and looked for Jimmy Clark but did not see it. AJ Foyt is on one though!
