For Sale - Cannon Ball Baker - Incredible Vintage Literature Archive | FerrariChat

For Sale Cannon Ball Baker - Incredible Vintage Literature Archive

Discussion in 'Other Parts & Collectibles' started by so_choice, Jul 30, 2019.

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  1. so_choice

    so_choice Formula Junior

    Dec 25, 2006
    500
    Toronto, Ontario
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Offering an incredible archive of authentic, ORIGINAL letters and other memorabilia related to the career of Erwin George "Cannon Ball" Baker - Car and Motorcycle racing legend, speed-distance record breaker and the first Commissioner of Nascar.

    These items span the 1920s to 1950s and many are one of a kind. This collection originates from the estate of Jim Watson - an automobile executive who apparently worked for Franklin, Chrysler and Nash and appears to have been close to Baker.

    The archive includes:

    1) 1920s? (undated) Telegram document sent by Cannon Ball Baker: "Belt Franklin Auto Co Gay and Fifth Streets Columbus OH - Expect to be in your city sometime tomorrow. Please leave instructions at your office where I can contact you by Telephone - Cannon Ball Baker". Document is torn but still an amazing piece

    2) 1953 Letter from Cannon Ball Baker to Watson - This piece is signed by Baker using his nickname "Bake". Letter includes amazing content regarding Nascar races, a Pikes Peak run, patents granted to Baker for a carburetor and a great quote: "I intend to wear out, not rust out". Read this letter in the photos - very interesting. Some staining / wear throughout but still in reasonably good condition

    3) - A letter from a Chrysler Sales Promotion Manager dated 1931 which discusses “stone walls” from Chrysler leadership regarding contracting Baker for a speed record run. The letter is marked confidential and references meetings with “Mr Chrysler”. Heavy insect damage around the edges but amazing it exists - indicates "strictly confidential"

    4) A 1947 Nash Motors letter to Watson providing a detailed account of Baker's trip to Boston, Providence, Springfield and Hartford. Some light water damage / staining but still a great piece overall

    5) 1949 Nash - Kelvinator Corporation "Interdepartmental Letter" discussing concerns with a new carburetor design proposed by Cannon Ball Baker. References reports attached but only the 1 page letter included. Some water damage, staple holes / staining but a one of a kind piece

    6) 1928 Letter by Jim Watson to Cannon Ball Baker. Congratulates him on his Pikes Peak hill climb and discusses a planned speed record run by Baker in a Franklin car. Some wear around the edges but a nice piece for its age

    7) 1932 Hudson Triangle factory magazine. Includes many interesting articles including a rear cover feature on a record that Cannon Ball Baker set in a Hudson car between Columbus and Marietta, Ohio. 10 pages. Good condition for its age overall with some light wear. Has been 3 hole punched.

    8) Two glossy photos of Cannon Ball Baker with a Chrysler Car. These may be more modern prints than other items in the collection but I am not sure. These would be cool to frame with the Chrysler letter

    9) 3 copies of 1928 "The Record Breaker" flyer by Franklin Motor Company. Features the text of a Telegram sent by Jim Watson about Baker's Columbus to Marietta record in a Franklin car. Both have some folds, edge tears and other wear but still rare pieces

    10) Original vintage reprint of an article from Automobile Digest about records set by Cannon Ball Baker in a Ford car. Undated but appears to be 1930s? Some surface staining / wear throughout.

    11) Cannon Ball Baker's Family Christmas card - undated but looks to be quite old.

    Also included are over 10 original brochures, newspaper clippings and ephemera pieces as an added bonus. All of these items are in poor condition with heavy water damage, surface staining, pages stuck together, tearing / creasing, missing pages, etc. Still very rare and interesting items despite the condition flaws. My thought is that some of these pieces could be framed together with the one of a kind items to create a unique display (many have great photos)

    Asking $1000 USD for the full collection or open to considering any serious offers. Price includes free worldwide shipping with tracking.

    Happy to provide additional photos or info upon request!

    Thanks for your interest,
    Mike

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  2. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,143
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    wow....cool read!
     

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