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Offered is an exceptional vintage Indianapolis 500 racing collectible: a 1955 Coward-McCann edition of Wilbur Shaw’s Gentlemen, Start Your Engines containing numerous period racing autographs and personalized inscriptions written across the photographic endpapers.The signatures appear to include an impressive group of Indianapolis 500 and championship racing drivers, with many connected directly to the 1955 Indianapolis 500.Identified signatures include:* Bob Sweikert – inscribed “Winner 1955” — Winner of the 1955 Indianapolis 500
* Jerry Hoyt — 1955 Indianapolis 500 pole sitter
* Jimmy Bryan — 1955 Indy starter; later winner of the 1958 Indianapolis 500
* Pat O’Connor — 1955 Indianapolis 500 starter
* Al Herman #71 — 1955 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year
* Jimmy Davies — 1955 Indianapolis 500 starter
* Duane Carter — Indianapolis 500 veteran and 1955 starter
* Don Freeland — 1955 Indianapolis 500 starter
* Walt Faulkner — Indianapolis 500 veteran and 1955 starter
* Jack Turner — Indianapolis 500 driver and championship midget racerThere are additional signatures and inscriptions visible in the book, some of which have not been positively identified.The Bob Sweikert autograph is particularly noteworthy, as it is accompanied by the inscription “Winner 1955,” referring to his victory in the 1955 Indianapolis 500.AUTOGRAPH / PROVENANCE NOTE:
This book was acquired from the estate of a well-respected individual associated with the Indianapolis 500 and the racing community. The estate provenance provides important context for the collection of period racing signatures contained in the book.The autographs, however, have not been submitted to or certified by PSA/DNA, JSA, Beckett, or another third-party authentication service. The identified drivers are based on the signatures and inscriptions present in the book and our research. The book and autographs are being offered as found. Please examine the detailed photographs carefully and make your own determination regarding the signatures and authenticity.
