Photographs

Series — Multiple Containers

The Velda King Mapelli Air Racing Collection is comprised of hundreds of photographs and a small amount of negatives; textual materials suchs as brochures, certificates, ID cards, licenses, assorted ephemera, and correspondence; and race booklets from assorted races. The materials were collected by Velda King Mapelli, as well as her daughter Stephanie and husband Gene, during the course of her flying years, approximately 1969-1989.

The photographs, which are both in color and black-and-white, vary in size, from 3x5" to 11x14" and a large amount of the images include a handwritten caption on the reverse providing contextual information, such as date, names, or location. There is a mix of casual snapshots and more formal portraits. The images depict Velda and her family, as well as her various aircraft, including a Piper PA-24-200 and a Cessna 414. Subjects also include race participants, award banquets, and some aerial shots. The bulk of the photographs feature Velda next to or in her aircraft, often with her co-pilot and daughter, Stephanie.

The textual materials include certificates, such as medical, award, and aircraft registration, and two (2) Air France Concorde flight certificates dated June 30, 1992 for Mr. and Mrs. Mapelli; membership and identity cards, including Gene Mapelli's radio station license; flight plans and navigational charts; correspondence and newsletters; race banquet programs; and assorted newspaper clippings.

At the end of the collection are race progam booklets from various races that Mapelli participated in from 1972-1989. Specific races include the Powder Puff Derby, the Palms to Pines, the Air Race Classic, and the Angel Derby.

Dates

1969-1989

Language of Materials

All materials in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research but has not been fully processed. Access to the collection may be limited or may require additional processing time. For more information contact us.