The Pulitzer Trophy Race was the marquee event of the National Air Races in the early 1920s. The races were meant to be the high point of the air racing year, much as the Indianapolis 500 was for auto racing enthusiasts.
Publishing magnates Ralph, Joseph Jr., and Herbert Pulitzer of the New York World and the St. Louis Dispatch sponsored the Pulitzer Trophy Race to promote aviation. The trophy, crafted by sculptor Mario Josef Korbel, exemplifies early Art Deco style.
The Pulitzer Trophy was awarded to the pilot and airplane with the fastest elapsed time during four laps over a 50-kilometer (32-mile) closed course.
Winners of the Pulitzer Trophy Race
YearPilotServiceRacerTop SpeedLocation
1920 Lt. Corliss C. Moseley, Army ,Verville VCP-R, 157 mph (252 km/h), Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York
1921 Bert Acosta, Civilian, Curtiss, 176 mph (283 km/h), Omaha, Nebraska
1922 Lt. Russell L. Maughan, Army, Curtiss, 206 mph (331 km/h), Selfridge Field, Michigan
1923 Lt. Alford J. Williams, Navy, Curtiss R2C-1, 244 mph (392 km/h), St. Louis, Missouri
1924 Lt. H. H. Mills, Army, Verville-Sperry R-3, 216 mph (347 km/h),Dayton, Ohio
1925 Lt. Cyrus K. Bettis, Army, Curtiss R3C-1, 249 mph (401 km/h), Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date
1920-1925
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
AWARDS-Trophies
Artist
Mario Korbel
Manufacturer
Roman Bronze Works, Inc.
Physical Description
Sterling silver trophy; female figure holding a stylized aircraft in her arms.
Dimensions
3-D: 59.7 × 61.6 × 135.9cm (1 ft. 11 1/2 in. × 2 ft. 1/4 in. × 4 ft. 5 1/2 in.)
Other (Trophy base -footprint only): 17.8 × 17.8cm (7 × 7 in.)
Materials
Overall: Sterling Silver
Base: Cast Bronze
Inventory Number
A19540005000
Credit Line
Donated by the National Aeronautic Association
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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