Page 32 - Demo

On May 28, 29, and 30, Parks Airport in East St. Louis, hosted one of the major aerial events of 1929%u2014the Gardner Trophy Race. During the first two days, some of the most famous pilots in the country competed in five 700-mile qualifying races. Then on Memorial Day, the fastest two from each heat took part in a 468-mile run from Parks Airport to Indianapolis. Once there, the planes flew around a pair of pylons near the 500-mile race track, then headed back to East St. Louis. The air race was the brainchild of Oliver Parks, of Parks Air College (the %u201cWorld%u2019s Largest Flying School%u201d), who also owned his own aircraft company. Financial backing came from Russell and Fred Gardner, who would award the silver Gardener Trophy and prize money. The race was planned to coincide with the First Annual Aviation Exhibition across the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri, when many aviation notables would be in town.All the entrants flew commercially manufactured airplanes, with engines of less than 800 cubic inches. It was an all-out speed dash, with no handicaps. Engine and plane modifications were allowed as long as the planes were properly registered and certified. The winner was Charles W. %u201cSpeed%u201d Holman, of St. Paul, Minnesota, piloting a Special Laird Whirlwind Biplane. He covered the roundtrip course in 2 hours, 58 minutes, and 40 seconds at an average speed of 157 mph. He won $6,250. While landings en route were permitted, Holman made the trip without stopping. He said he flew at a low altitude over most of the course, but passed over the Indianapolis Speedway at about 500 feet. At an average speed of 144 mph, Snydor Hall took home $400 for second place, while Arthur Davis was awarded $200 for third place at 135 mph. All agreed it was %u201ctruly a grand show.%u201dSpecial cacheted covers were available to celebrate the air race in both St. Louis and Indianapolis. The Indianapolis cachets were produced in several different color variations.For collectors, covers were printed in several different colors (black).Signed by Robert H. Bryson, who was appointed Assistant Postmaster of Indianapolis on January 16, 1922, then appointed Postmaster two days later. He served until 1932.