It’s been called "the definitive photographic collection of 20th century open-wheel racing" and a chronological history of auto racing in America.
And it’s now in the hands of Greenfield Gallery on Highway 100 in Greenfield, a prized collection of nearly 20,000 images from tracks across the country, from events back to the early 1930s.
Greenfield Gallery’s purchase of the collection keeps it close to home; the works are primarily those of the late Armin H. Krueger, the West Allis banker who spent many of his weekends at racetracks around the country, taking photos and writing stories for Midwest Racing News and National Speed Sport News.
The collection will thus be called The Armin Krueger 20th Century Racing Collection, said Ralph Hibbard, owner of Greenfield Gallery, which deals in investment-quality toys, dolls, WPA materials, advertising items, and other high-quality collectibles.
Encompassing oval track competition with midgets, Indy cars, and Road America, the collection represents Armin Krueger’s lifetime work, and includes pictures and negatives Krueger acquired from other photographers. A professional photographer and race enthusiast, Krueger died in September, 2000, taking pictures up to 1999.
Photos of racing greats like A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, and many regional favorites such as the Milwaukee Mile’s Rex Mays, and oddities like the only stock car race at Road America, are examples of a collection that encompasses both rural dirt tracks and the Indy 500. The collection also details historic architecture of racing facilities, such as the old pagoda at the Indianapolis Speedway.
Krueger captured numerous accidents as they progressed, using early rapid-shoot technology.
By acquiring the collection of negatives, Greenfield Gallery also acquired all rights to the collection. "We intend to keep the entire collection intact. Original photos may be sold, or licenses granted for reuse of some images, but this is too important a record of racing history to be broken apart," Hibbard said. Portions of the collection may be available for exhibits.
Hibbard became aware of the collection, which had gone to a West Allis attorney upon Krueger’s death, by a client who noted that it was for sale. He was ecstatic to be able to purchase it. "There are not many opportunities to buy something in its entirety," Hibbard said, noting that the collection also includes track programs and racing books. "When we saw this collection, we knew its potential" as for business, he added. "I buy anything that’s legal for less, that I can sell for more."
Milwaukee Mile official Paul Elliott knew Krueger well and alluded to his skill: "Armin had been honored one year as the ‘Best Open Wheel Photographer’ by the National Speed Sport News." Krueger was a member of the Indianapolis 500 Old-Timers Club, Shriners-Tripoli Photo Corps. He served as vice president of West Allis State Bank until his retirement.
Greenfield Gallery was opened in 1997. With the onset on the Internet, a majority of its business is now done via the Web. Hibbard acquires his collectibles in a variety of ways, including the purchase of entire estates, on two occasions buying even the homes involved. A former owner/administrator of a nursing home, Hibbard now also operates a property management firm.
March 29, 2002 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
