George Waterman Collection

[Bill Boudway]

Does anyone have a list of cars that were in the Waterman collection in Rhode Island many years ago?

Looking to verify provenance of one of the cars there.

Thanks,

Bill B.

[JV Puleo]

I doubt there is a list. I saw the collection at his home back in the 70s - Mrs. Waterman gave a friend and I a tour of it. In addition to the racing cars, there was another building where big brass cars were displayed (I remember a white Napier c. 1908) and a storage building full of largely unrestored cars. I know of several cars that came from the collection - either I saw them there or friends later bought them.  Waterman also rented a huge mill in Southern RU (I think it might have been in West Greenwich) where he kept unrestored cars. The building had no lights - to make it impossible to get in and steal anything in the dark. Waterman bought, sold and traded cars with other enthusiasts quite regularly so a lot of early cars passed through his hands. There is also the catalog of the racing car exhibit mounted by the Rhode Island School of Design. I believe all of the cars came from Waterman except the Renault which I believe belonged to his neighbor, Kirk Gibson.

 

What is the car you are trying to verify?