BARNEY OLDFIELD - ADVERTISEMENT SIGNED - HFSID 254698

BARNEY OLDFIELD
B/w Plymouth ad for Chicago's 1933-1934 Century of Progress Exposition, with cigar-chomping daredevil driver Barney Oldfield in racing garb and a three-piece suit
Advertisement signed "Barney Oldfield" in blue ink. B/w, 3¼x5 overall, 3¼x4 image, one surface, printed on cardstock. With facsimile signature: "You know me/Barney Oldfield" in white. Captioned in part: "from 'A Century of Progress' Exposition, Chicago, 1933'." The Century of Progress Exposition was the second world's fair held in Chicago, Illinois, the first being the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Held between May 27, 1933 and Nov. 12 1933 and May 26, 1934 to Oct. 31, 1934, on reclaimed Northerly Island, just south of Chicago's Loop, the fair attracted over 40 million visitors. Oldfield (1878-1946, born Berna Eli Oldfield near Wauseon, Ohio) was the chief driver of Henry Ford's racing car, the "999". On June 15, 1903 at Indianapolis, the former bicycle racer had become the first man to drive a car one mile in less than one minute. Over the next 15 years, Oldfield achieved fame as he broke other speed records and performed bizarre, dangerous automobile stunts, but he was involved in several fatal accidents to spectators and his mechanic. Ironically, Oldfield became a prominent spokesman for safe driving during the 1930s and 1940s. Lightly toned and creased. Signature is faded but legible. Image is lightly scuffed. Adhesive residue near bottom right corner (does not touch signature). Otherwise in fine condition.