Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Preferred Citation
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Biographical / Historical
Scope and Contents
Processing Information
Arrangement
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: 1933 National Air Races collection
Identifier/Call Number: photCL 636
Physical Description:
0.2 Linear Feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): approximately 1930 -1933
Date (bulk): 1933
Abstract: The 1933 National Air Races collection
consists of photographs and sales/marketing materials from the July 1st - 4th event held at
the Los Angeles Municipal Airport. Specifically included are 41 loose photographs, loose
marketing materials, and one advertisers packet with additional sales materials from the
1933 event as well as photographs from previous air races.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. 1933 National Air Races collection, The Huntington Library, San
Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Michael Vinson Americana, November 2021.
Biographical / Historical
The National Air Races, also known as the Pulitzer Trophy Races, were a series of pylon and
speed races dating back to 1920. The event entertained thousands of aeronautical enthusiasts
and served as a testing ground for the aviation industry. The purpose of these races was to
demonstrate one's aviation skills, as well as aircraft reliability and speed. The event
included cross-country races, short races, army and navy maneuvers, stunt flying, landing
contests, glider demonstrations, airship flights, and parachute jumping contests. Two of the
most popular events were the Thompson and Bendix Trophy Races. From 1929 to 1939, the
majority of the races were held in Cleveland, Ohio, however other cities such as Spokane,
Chicago, and Los Angeles also served as hosts. The races ceased from 1940 to 1945 due to
resources being needed to support the war effort (World War II). In 1946, the Aircraft
Industrial Association brought the races to Los Angeles and Cleveland to showcase
aeronautical advances made during the war. The deaths of race participants and some
civilians as well as participation cuts from the Defense Department brought an end to an
era, halting the races from 1952 to 1963. However, in 1964, the races picked up once again,
this time as the Cleveland Air Show, an annual Labor Day event attracting thousands of
visitors and participants from across the world.
Scope and Contents
The collection includes 41 loose photographs, sales/marketing materials, and one
advertisers packet with additional sales/marketing materials from the 1933 event as well as
images from previous races. The loose images, mostly taken by photographer "Dick"
Whittington, include aerial views of the event, field, and seating areas; images of the
Goodyear and Navy blimps; images of aeronautical stunts; photographs of patrons and
participants including one of Lieutenant Commander Richardson receiving the Armstrong
Siddeley Trophy after participating in the King's Cup Race; the Victor McLaglen Medical
Corps Aerial Nurse Division; images of hot air balloons; a parade procession; awards
ceremonies; and the Angels Flight railway in Downtown Los Angeles. The loose sales/marketing
materials are comprised of National Air Races, and Union Oil Company of California ("76"
gasoline) logos; one copy of the schedule of events and prizes; nine copies of a seating
diagram with ticket information; five copies of advance ticket sales forms; and one copy of
general instructions and memorandum for advance ticket salespeople. The advertisers packet
includes one typed letter of introduction from the sponsoring committee, one typed letter
from managing director Clifford Henderson regarding seating selections, one copy of the
Schedule of Events and Prizes, one copy of a seating diagram with ticket information, and
six photographs from previous air races including one of World War I Ace Eddie
Rickenbacker.
Processing Information
Processed by Nichole L. Manlove in November 2022.
Arrangement
Arranged by format.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Aircraft industry -- United States -- History -- 20th century
Air pilots -- Photographs
Aeronautics -- History -- 20th century
Aircraft industry -- United States -- History -- 20th century
Airplane racing
Awards -- United States -- 20th century
Competitions
Correspondence (letters).
Diagrams
Letterheads.
Logos
Marketing
Photographs.
Schedules (time plans).
United States -- Army -- Medical Corps
Angels Flight (Railway) -- Photographs
Henderson, Clifford William,
1895-1984
United
States. Navy