This is one I could never place..

[johnnyi]

I have since found the missing piece, but lost it just as fast! This seems to be early auto racing related. It reads, "John _______Speedway, Philada. & New York"

 

[Kevo_DFX]

Might it be railroad related? Apparently, there was a railroad speedway that ran through NJ that connected PHILA and NY. The following Google Book result says that section of track as "historic"

http://books.google.com/books?id=_r...w york philadelphia historic speedway&f=false

 

[johnnyi]

Kevo, that sure sounds like a good clue. I never even considered anything but auto racing until you mentioned this.

 

[diggummup]

John Brisben Walker maybe- read this-http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9805E3DF173EE733A25752C2A9649C946797D6CF and this-http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9F01E4D6103EE733A25751C1A9659C946797D6CF

 

[Montana Jim]

Did I miss the size? It looks like an auto grill badge... like a club badge.

 

[PBK]

Maybe a bicycle head badge— depending on the size, that is.

 

[johnnyi]

"Did I miss the size?"

Sorry, it is roughly 3" tall by 2 1/4" wide.

PBK, I think you i.d.'d it. A bicycle badge! There was a "speedway" and the name at the top could possibly be John Wannamaker. I never even considered anything but auto. Good call!