This collection consists of "An Album of International Air Liners" issued by John Player & Sons, circa 1935. The album was designed to house "Player's cigarettes" cards collected from packages and this example contains all fifty cards in the series.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of "An Album of International Air Liners" issued by John Player & Sons, circa 1935. The album was designed to house "Player's cigarettes" cards collected from packages and this example contains all fifty cards in the series. Airlines represented in the album include Imperial Airways (UK); SABENA (Belgium); Czechoslovak Airline (ČLS) (Czechoslovakia); Air France (France); Lufthansa (Germany); Deruluft (Germany); KLM (Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij) (Netherlands); Malert (Hungary); Ala Littoria (Italy); Aero Transport (A B AeroTRANSPort) (Sweden); SwissAir (Switzerland); Aeroput (Yugoslavia); American Airlines (USA); Braniff International (USA); Central Airlines, Inc (USA, 1934); Delta Air Lines (USA); Eastern Air Lines (Eastern Air Transport) (USA); Northwest Airlines (USA); Pan American Airways (Pan Am) (USA); Pennsylvania Airlines (USA); Trans World Airlines (TWA) (USA); United Air Lines (USA); and Qantas Airways (Australia). Aircraft represented in the album include the de Havilland D.H.86A; Short S.23 Empire Boat (C-Class Flying Boat); Armstrong Whitworth A.W.27 Ensign; Handley Page H.P.42; Short S.17/L (L.17) (Scipio Landplane); Fokker F.VIIA-3m; Junkers Ju 52/3m (Three Engine); Savoia-Marchetti S.73; Fokker F.XVIII; Dewoitine D.333; Lioré et Olivier LeO H.24-2 (H.242); Potez 62; Wibault-Penhoët 282 T.12; Dornier Do 18; Heinkel He 70 Blitz (Lightning); Heinkel He 111; Junkers G 38; Junkers Ju 86; Junkers Ju 160; Tupolev ANT-9; Douglas DC-2; Fokker F.XX; Fokker F.XXII; Fokker F.XXXVI; Cant (CRDA) Z.506; Savoia-Marchetti S.74; Fokker F.XII; General Aviation GA-43 (Pilgrim 150, Clark GA-43); Lockheed Model 9 Orion; de Havilland D.H.89 Dragon Rapide; Spartan (UK) Cruiser; Douglas (DC-3) DST (Douglas Sleeper Transport); Lockheed Model 10 Electra; Stinson (Aircraft) Model A Tri-Motor; Martin (Glenn L.) Model 130 China Clipper; Boeing Model 247D; and the Douglas DC-3. The album also includes cards that have images of scenes onboard various aircraft including airline personnel preparing food, passengers in their seats, and a view of the controls of a de Havilland D.H.86.
Arrangement:
Collection is a single item.
Biographical / Historical:
Tobacco manufacturers first issued cigarette cards in 1875 as trade cards to stiffen cigarette packaging and advertise cigarette brands. They initially featured images such as prominent athletes or animals, but later cards included images of aircraft. John Player & Sons, also known simply as Player's, is a British tobacco and cigarette manufacturer that is now part of the Imperial Tobacco Group.
Provenance:
Alex Massin, Gift, 1965, NASM.XXXX.1035.
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
"Wings of Gold: How the Aeroplane Developed New Guinea" Collection
Extent:
0.2 Cubic feet (4 folders)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Place:
Papua New Guinea
Date:
circa 1922-1035
Summary:
This collection consists of copies of 57 black and white photographs collected by author James Sinclair for use in his book, Wings of Gold: How the Aeroplane Developed New Guinea, Pacific Publications (Sydney), 1978. The collection does not include copies of all photographs used in the book.
Scope and Contents:
The photographs illustrate aviation activities in Papua, New Guinea from the early 1920s to the mid-1930s including Guinea Airways operations, primarily cargo operations, using Junkers G 31 and W 34 aircraft in support of gold mining and oil exploration; other smaller operators, like Bulolo Goldfield's Aeroplane Services and W. R. Carpenter Air Services using mostly de Havilland aircraft; various "bush pilots" also extensively using de Havilland planes; and expeditions such as the Stirling New Guinea Expedition, fostered by the Smithsonian Institution and employing a modified float-equipped Breguet Bre.14 B2 ("The Ern"), and the Hurley Expedition of 1922 which used a Curtiss MF (Seagull) (Model 18) flying boat.
This group of 8 x 10 inch black and white photographs are copy photographs made from copy negatives shot from James Sinclair's original photographs and lent to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM) for copying by Terry Gwynn-Jones. The originals were collected by Sinclair for use in his book, Wings of Gold: How the Aeroplane Developed New Guinea, Pacific Publications (Sydney), 1978. The collection does not include copies of all photographs used in the book.
Arrangement:
A set of 42 poor-quality copy negatives and copy photographs were produced in 1987 by the Smithsonian Office of Printing and Photographic Services (SI-OPPS) and assigned numbers 87-16321 through 87-16362. In 1990, a set of 52 good-quality copy negatives and copy photographs were produced in 1990 by SI-OPPS and assigned numbers 90-128 through 90-179. The 1990 set includes 16 images not found in the 1987 set. There is extensive but incomplete overlap between the 1987 set and the 1990 set; in all, there are 57 unique images.
Biographical / Historical:
Aviation activities in the Territory of Papua, a territory of the British Empire located in the southeastern quarter of the southwest Pacific island of New Guinea, first occurred in the early 1920s, during a period when the territory was administered by the Commonwealth of Australia. Activities increased greatly in 1930, when an airstrip was constructed in the town of Bulolo (Morobe Province) to support gold dredging in the area. Dredging equipment was transported to Bulolo in pieces by air, with the first gold dredge beginning operations on March 21, 1932.
James Patrick Sinclair was born in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia, on April 18, 1928. In November 1947, he joined Australia's Department of District Services and Native Affairs, Administration of Papua New Guinea, serving from 1948 to 1957 in many locations as a patrol officer, assistant district officer, deputy district commissioner and district commissioner. Sinclair was the last Australian District Commissioner of the Eastern Highlands District (1969-1974), retiring from civil service in August 1975 after Papua New Guinea declared independence from the British Empire to become the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. In his retirement, Sinclair returned to his previous hobby of writing on Papua New Guinea history, eventually publishing more than 30 books prior to his death on October 9, 2017.
Terry Gwynn-Jones was born in Malvern, England (UK) in 1933. In 1951, Gwynn-Jones joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) and subsequently served as a pilot in the RAF, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) before joining the Australian Department of Aviation in 1969. In 1975, veteran Battle of Britain pilot Denys Dalton—with Gwynn-Jones as co-pilot—set a new around-the-world speed record for piston engined aircraft, flying Beech Duke 60 (r/n VH-TKE) round trip from Brisbane, Australia, in 122 hours 19 minutes 57 seconds between July 20 and 25, 1975. In 1983, Gwynn-Jones was a member of the Australian team which won that year's World Ballooning Championship in France. A prolific writer, Gwynn-Jones published numerous aviation history books and articles, and served as a consultant and writer for the Time-Life Epic of Flight series. In the 1980s, Gwynn-Jones was appointed to a visiting fellowship at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and in 1987 he was appointed to the Board of Advisors of the museum's History of Aviation book project. Gwynn-Jones died in Brisbane on March 28, 2008.
Provenance:
Terry Gwynn-Jones, gift, 1987, NASM.1988.0048
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
0.05 Cubic feet (1 folder, 2 booklets, 9.7 x 7 inches (25 x 18 cm))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
October 16, 1958
Summary:
This collection consists of two copies of "Yankee Clippers Carry On," a program produced for the christening ceremony of the Pan American World Airways Boeing Model 707-120 "Jet Clipper America" by Mamie Eisenhower at Washington National Airport, Washington, D.C., on October 16, 1958.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of two copies of "Yankee Clippers Carry On," a 9.7 x 7 inch (25 x 18 cm) booklet produced as a program for the christening ceremony of the Pan American World Airways Boeing Model 707-120 "Jet Clipper America" (r/n N707PA). The christening was performed by Mamie Eisenhower (wife of then US President Dwight D. Eisenhower) at Washington National Airport (IATA airport code DCA), Washington, D.C., on October 16, 1958. Speakers at the event included Juan T. Trippe, President of Pan American World Airways; Sinclair Weeks, US Secretary of Commerce; H. M. (Jack) Horner, Chairman of the US Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB); William M. Allen, President, Boeing Airplane Company; Elwood R. Quesada, Special Assistant to the President of the United States (Special Adviser for Aviation), and Christian A. Herter, US Under Secretary of State. The program's dramatic front cover maritime illustration—designed to look like an engraving—depicts a Pan American Boeing 707 nicknamed "Clipper America" in flight over a three-masted clipper sailing ship.
Arrangement:
No arrangement.
Biographical / Historical:
The Boeing Model 367-80, better known as the Dash 80, a graceful, swept-winged aircraft powered by four revolutionary new jet engines, would come to revolutionize commercial air transportation when its developed version entered service as the famous Boeing 707, America's first jet airliner. Flying 100 miles per hour faster than the de Havilland Comet and significantly larger, the new Boeing jet transport, which made its first flight on July 15, 1954, had a maximum range of more than 3,500 miles. The Boeing Aircraft Company found Pan American World Airway's president Juan T. Trippe a ready customer for their new design. Trippe had been spending much of his time searching for a suitable jet airliner to enable his pioneering company to maintain its leadership in international air travel. Impressed by the aircraft's performance, Trippe worked to convince Boeing to widen the Dash 80's fuselage design to allow seating six passengers in each seat row rather than five. On October 12, 1955, Trippe placed an order with Boeing for 20 of the new airliners (now known as the 707) but also ordered 25 of Douglas's competing DC-8, which had yet to fly but could accommodate six-abreast seating. At Pan Am's insistence, the Boeing 707 was made four inches wider than the Dash 80 so that it could carry 160 passengers six-abreast. One August 15, 1958, Boeing delivered the first of Pan Am's new 707s. Two months later, on October 16, 1958, Pan Am celebrated the advent of the jet age in the United States with a ceremony held at Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the christening by then-US President Dwight D. Eisenhower's wife Mamie Eisenhower of the Pan American World Airways Boeing Model 707-120 "Jet Clipper America" (r/n N707PA). Ten days later, on October 26, 1958, Pan Am began daily Boeing 707 international service between New York City and Paris, France.
Related Materials:
Aircraft in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum collection:
Boeing 367-80 Jet Transport, A19730272000.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
This collection consists of material relating the 1960 New York Mid-Air Collision including FAA and CAB reports on the accident and material relating to the National Transportation Safety Board's formal hearing, including testimony by William A. Wesche, Jr.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists mainly of material relating the 1960 New York Mid-Air Collision including FAA and CAB reports on the accident and material relating to the National Transportation Safety Board's formal hearing, including testimony by William A. Wesche, Jr. The testimony is on two reel-to reel tapes, with copies on three cassette tapes, a flash drive and CDR, as well as handwritten statement drafts by Wesche which he used to compose his official testimony, and a video of an air disaster television series highlighting this accident. The collection also contains the Army /Navy/CAA 39-page report, "Standards for the Control of Instrument Flight Rule Traffic" (ANC-IFC), January 1, 1946.
Arrangement:
No arrangement.
Biographical / Historical:
On 16 December 1960, the United Airlines Douglas DC-8 Mainliner Will Rogers (Flight 826), bound for Idlewild Airport (later John F. Kennedy International Airport) in New York City, collided with the TWA Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation Star of Sicily (Flight 266) as it was descending into the city's LaGuardia Airport. One plane crashed on Staten Island, the other into Park Slope, Brooklyn, killing all 128 people on both aircraft and six people on the ground; at the time, it was the deadliest aviation disaster. The probable cause of the accident was found to be that the United flight proceeded beyond its clearance limit and the confines of the airspace allocated to the flight by Air Traffic Control. William A Wesche, Jr., was a Federal Aviation Agency Supervisory Air Traffic Control Specialist at Idlewild Airport Traffic Control Tower, and was the Watch Supervisor on duty during the accident.
Provenance:
Jeffrey Wesche, Gift, 2019, NASM.2019.0059
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
This accession consists of ephemera relating to Virginia D. Martus and Dorothy K. de Silva's Air France Concorde flight on May 28, 1978.
Scope and Contents:
This accession consists of the following material relating to Virginia D. Martus and Dorothy K. de Silva's Air France Concorde flight on May 28, 1978: Air France flight certificates, along with letters explaining the certificates; two copies of the "Concorde Network" brochures, one from de Silva's is annotated with flight information; three postcards of the Air France Concorde; one 8.5 by 10 inch photograph of the Air France Concorde; a "Guide for the Supersonic Traveller" brochure, produced by Air France; and two menus. This collection also contains two Trans World Service (TWA) menus, presumedly from their trip back to the United States.
Arrangement:
Arranged by type.
Biographical / Historical:
The first supersonic airliner to enter service, the Concorde flew thousands of passengers across the Atlantic at twice the speed of sound for over 25 years. Designed and built by Aérospatiale of France and the British Aviation Corporation (BAC), the graceful Concorde was a stunning technological achievement that could not overcome serious economic problems. In 1976, Air France and British Airways jointly inaugurated Concorde service to destinations around the globe. Carrying up to 100 passengers in great comfort, the Concorde catered to first class passengers for whom speed was critical. It could cross the Atlantic in fewer than four hour—half the time of a conventional jet airliner. However its high operating costs resulted in very high fares that limited the number of passengers who could afford to fly it. These problems and a shrinking market eventually forced the reduction of service until all Concordes were retired in 2003.
Provenance:
Virginia D. Martus, Gift, 2012, NASM.2019.0030
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes was founded in February 1919, making it one of the first French air navigation companies. In 1923, Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes merged with Compagnie des Grands Express Aériens to form Air Union which continued operations under that name until it merged with four other airlines to become Air France in 1933. This collection consists of an airline ticket issued by Air Union to Alexander Liggett for travel from Paris to London on August 27, 1924.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of an airline ticket issued on August 26, 1924 by Air Union to Alexander Liggett for travel from Paris to London on August 27, 1924 at the cost of 400 francs and 50 centimes. The ticket measures approximately 4.25 by 5.25 inches and is a double-fold document that is printed in both French and English and has the passenger and route information hand-written in pencil. The ticket is also stamped. Inside the ticket are the General Passenger Conditions, in both French and English and on the reverse is an image showing Air Union Farman (Brothers) F.60 Goliath (A/C No. F-ADDS).
Arrangement:
Collection is a single item.
Biographical / Historical:
Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes was founded in February 1919, making it one of the first French air navigation companies. The company's first route offered freight and mail service between Paris and Lille and in September 1919, Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes began operating international passenger service between Paris and London. In 1923, Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes merged with Compagnie des Grands Express Aériens to form Air Union which continued operations under that name until it merged with four other airlines to become Air France in 1933.
Provenance:
Mrs. Alexander C. Liggett, Gift, 1974, NASM.XXXX.1007
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes was founded in February 1919, making it one of the first French air navigation companies. In 1923, Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes merged with Compagnie des Grands Express Aériens to form Air Union which continued operations under that name until it merged with four other airlines to become Air France in 1933. This collection consists of an airline ticket issued by Air Union to Karl MacDowell for travel from London to Paris on August 10, 1928.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of an airline ticket issued by Air Union to Karl MacDowell for travel from London to Paris on August 10, 1928. The ticket measures 4.25 by 5.25 inches and is a double-fold document that is printed in both French and English and has the passenger and route information hand-written in pencil. The ticket is also stamped. Inside the ticket are the General Passenger Conditions, in both French and English and on the reverse is an image showing Air Union Lioré et Olivier LeO 21 Capitaine Ferber (A/C No. F-AIFE).
Arrangement:
Collection is a single item.
Biographical / Historical:
Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes was founded in February 1919, making it one of the first French air navigation companies. The company's first route offered freight and mail service between Paris and Lille and in September 1919, Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes began operating international passenger service between Paris and London. In 1923, Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes merged with Compagnie des Grands Express Aériens to form Air Union which continued operations under that name until it merged with four other airlines to become Air France in 1933.
Provenance:
Karl P. MacDowell, Gift, 1964, NASM.XXXX.1005.
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes was founded in February 1919, making it one of the first French air navigation companies. In 1923, Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes merged with Compagnie des Grands Express Aériens to form Air Union which continued operations under that name until it merged with four other airlines to become Air France in 1933. This collection consists of an Air Union airline ticket and brochure.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of an Air Union airline ticket and brochure. The airline ticket was issued on May 5, 1925 by Air Union to Mrs. Bradley for travel from Paris to London on May 7, 1925. The ticket measures 4.25 by 5.25 inches and is a double-fold document that is printed in both French and English. The ticket is stamped. Inside the ticket are the General Passenger Conditions, in both French and English and on the reverse is an image showing Air Union Farman (Brothers) F.60 Goliath (A/C No. F-ADDS). The brochure, written in English, advertises passenger and freight service between Paris, London, Brussels, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The cover illustrations, by Bryette, depict stylized passengers with luggage at the airport (front cover) and airline employees loading freight (back cover).
Arrangement:
Collection is arranged by type of material.
Biographical / Historical:
Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes was founded in February 1919, making it one of the first French air navigation companies. The company's first route offered freight and mail service between Paris and Lille and in September 1919, Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes began operating international passenger service between Paris and London. In 1923, Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes merged with Compagnie des Grands Express Aériens to form Air Union which continued operations under that name until it merged with four other airlines to become Air France in 1933.
Provenance:
Doug Morton, Gift, 2010, NASM.2011.0003
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes was founded in February 1919, making it one of the first French air navigation companies. In 1923, Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes merged with Compagnie des Grands Express Aériens to form Air Union which continued operations under that name until it merged with four other airlines to become Air France in 1933. This collection consists of two Air Union tickets issued to Mr. and Mrs. Wright for a Paris to London flight on August 24, 1926.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of two Air Union tickets for a Paris to London flight on August 24, 1926. The tickets were issued on August 23, 1926 to Mr. and Mrs. Wright, who were the donor's aunt and uncle. Each ticket measures approximately 4.25 by 5.25 inches and is a double-fold document that is printed in both French and English and has the passenger and route information hand-written in pencil. The ticket is also stamped. Inside the ticket are the General Passenger Conditions, in both French and English and on the reverse is an image showing Air Union Farman (Brothers) F.60 Goliath (A/C No. F-ADDS).
Arrangement:
Collection consists of two items.
Biographical / Historical:
Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes was founded in February 1919, making it one of the first French air navigation companies. The company's first route offered freight and mail service between Paris and Lille and in September 1919, Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes began operating international passenger service between Paris and London. In 1923, Compagnie Des Messageries Aériennes merged with Compagnie des Grands Express Aériens to form Air Union which continued operations under that name until it merged with four other airlines to become Air France in 1933.
Provenance:
Sarah E. Allison, Gift, 2004, NASM.2005.0009.
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
This artificial collection consists of a wide variety of airline timetables, memorabilia, baggage tags, and logos, aircraft company logos, aviation school logos, bumper stickers, and balloon prints. The material covers airlines and aircraft companies from around the world. There are also 1986 - 1987 Air Transport Label Catalogs.
Biographical / Historical:
Baggage labels were first supplied by steamship companies to passengers for identification purposes during the 1800s, and hotels, resorts, and railroad companies soon followed suit. In the 1920s, airlines began to offer them to their commercial passengers as well. The baggage labels were a valuable advertising tool for the companies as passengers began to accumulate these often artistic labels on their luggage as travel status symbols.
Provenance:
Institute of Aeronautical Sciences, Gift, Unknown
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Nathaniel "Buddy" Wilson, Jr. (1936-2010) wrote to various airlines as a child asking them to send him examples of baggage labels. He was very successful and collected many from regional, national, and international airlines. This small collection consists of approximately 0.20 cubic feet of baggage labels, airmail labels, etiquettes, and other ephemera from various airlines.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of approximately 0.20 cubic feet of baggage labels, airmail labels, etiquettes, and other ephemera from various airlines including All American Aviation (USA); American Airlines (USA); American Export Airlines (USA); Bonanza Air Lines (USA); Braniff International (USA); Capital Airlines (USA); Pennsylvania Central Airlines (PCA) (USA); Chicago & Southern Airlines (USA); Continental Airways/Airlines (USA); Delta Air Lines (USA); Eastern Air Lines (Eastern Air Transport) (USA); Frontier Airlines (USA); Hawaiian Airlines (USA); Mid-Continent Airlines (USA); Monarch Airlines (USA); National Airlines (USA); Northwest Airlines (USA); Pan American Airways (Pan Am) (USA); Piedmont Airlines (USA); Southern Airways (USA); Aloha Airlines (Trans-Pacific Airlines) (USA); Trans-Texas Airways (TTA) (USA); Trans World Airlines (TWA) (USA); United Airlines (USA); Western Air Express (Air Lines, Airlines) (USA); West Coast Airlines (USA); Wisconsin Central Airlines (USA); Air France (France); Aer Lingus (Ireland); British Overseas Airways Corp (BOAC) (UK); British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines (BCPA) (UK); British European Airways (BEA) (UK); British West Indies Airways (BWIA) (UK); Canadian Pacific Airlines (CP Air) (Canada); Canadian Colonial Airways (Colonial Airways, Colonial Airlines) (Canada); Central African Airways (UK); CNAC (China National Aviation Corp) Air Lines (China); KLM (Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij) (Netherlands); SABENA (Belgium); Middle East Airlines (MEA) (Air Liban) (Lebanon); Philippine Airlines (PAL) (Philippines); Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS); SwissAir (Switzerland); Transportes Aereos Centro-Americanos (TACA); and Trans-Canada Air-Lines (TCA). The collection also contains a scan made from a photograph loaned by the donor which shows Nathaniel "Buddy" Wilson, Jr. as a child (taken in 1942) along with friends standing beside a Waco UKC (ATC #528) at an airfield in Richmond, Virginia.
Arrangement:
Material is arranged by source.
Biographical / Historical:
Nathaniel "Buddy" Wilson, Jr. (1936-2010) wrote to various airlines as a child asking them to send him examples of baggage labels. He was very successful and collected many from regional, national, and international airlines. Wilson had a lifelong love of aviation and made it his career. Wilson obtained a bachelor of science degree in Air Transportation from Purdue University in 1958 and then joined the US Navy where he served at Naval Air Station Rota in Spain. Wilson then went to work as a Foreign Service officer in El Salvador for the US Department of State. During his time with the State Department, Wilson helped to negotiate foreign air routes. Wilson then went to work for the Air Transport Association, where he remained for 25 years before retiring in 1995 as Vice President of International Affairs.
Provenance:
Susan Sproul, Gift, 2015, NASM.2015.0036.
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
This collection consists of 49 brochures and route maps produced by the following airlines: Air France; Air Madagascar; Aloha Airlines; American Airlines; Ansett-ANA; British European Airlines (BEA); Delta Air Lines: Hawaiian Airlines; Inter-Island Airways; Japan Air Lines; Northwest Airlines; Northwest Orient Airlines; Quantas; Pan American Airlines (Pan Am); Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS); Trans-Australia Airlines; United Airlines; and Union Transports Aeriens (UTA).
Provenance:
Raymond Fosberg, Gift, 1990
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
This collection consists of approximately 2.84 cubic feet of airline menus and other ephemera gathered by Jean Grosdidier de Matons, circa 1963 to 2006.
This collection includes material in multiple languages.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of approximately 2.84 cubic feet of airline menus gathered by Jean Grosdidier de Matons, circa 1963 to 2006. Most of the menus are either for business class or first class service. There are menus from the following airlines: Air Afrique (France); Air France (France); Air India (India); Air Madagascar (Madagascar); Air Mauritius (Republic of Mauritius); Alitalia (Italy); Austrian Airlines (Austria); British Airways (UK); British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) (UK); Continental Airways/Airlines (USA); Iran Air (Iran); Japan Air Lines (JAL) (Japan); Kenya Airways (Kenya); KLM (Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij) (Netherlands); Kuwait Airways (Kuwait); Lufthansa (Germany); Middle East Airlines (MEA) (Air Liban) (Lebanon); Pan American Airways (Pan Am) (USA); Royal Air Maroc (Morocco); SABENA (Belgium); Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS); Singapore Airlines (Singapore); South African Airways (SAA); Spanair (Spain); SwissAir (Switzerland); Thai Airways International (Thailand); Trans World Airlines (TWA) (USA); Tunis Air (Tunisia); Union Transports Aeriens (UTA) (France); and United Air Lines (USA). There are also a few miscellaneous items such as travel brochures and airline stationery.
Arrangement:
This collection is in original order, with materials organized by airline.
Biographical / Historical:
Jean Grosdidier de Matons (d. 2017) joined Force Maritime de l'Aéronautique Navale (French Naval Aviation) in August 1944 as an officer candidate and completed training with the Royal Air Force in Great Britain. Grosdidier de Matons served as a navigation officer in French West Africa before volunteering for service in French Indochina from 1948-1951. Grosdidier de Matons then served as a submarine officer with the French Mediterranean Fleet until 1953. Grosdidier de Matons served as a harbor officer and later harbor master at various ports in Africa until 1968 when he went for training at the Planning Center for Economic and Technical Cooperation in Paris, France which lead to an assignment at the World Bank where he eventually was named Division Chief for Transports in Europe-Middle East and North Africa. After retiring from the World Bank in 1987, Grosdidier de Matons founded his own international consulting company. Grosdidier de Matons was also a Doctor of Law and the author of numerous works on legal and business matters.
Provenance:
Jean Grosdidier de Matons, Gift, 2017, additional material received in 2019, NASM.2018.0003.
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
This collection consists of approximately 6,479 postcards collected by Charles C. Tylander. The postcards represent many national and international airlines including Adria Airways (Germany/Slovenia); Aer Lingus (Ireland); Aeroflot (Russia); Aeromexico (Mexico); AeroPeru (Peru); Aero Trasporti Italiani (ATI) (Italy); Air Afrique (France); Air Algerie (Algeria); Air California (AirCal) (USA); Air Canada (Canada); Air Charter International (France); Air Florida (USA); Air France (France); Air India (India); Air Inter (France); Air Jamaica (Jamaica); Airlift International (USA); Air Malta (Malta); Air New Zealand (New Zealand); Air Niugini (Papua, New Guinea); Air Pacific (Fiji); Air West (USA); Air Wisconsin (USA); Air Zaire (Zaire); Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe); Airborne (USA); Alaska Airlines (USA); Alitalia (Italy); Allegheny Airlines (USA); All Nippon Airways (ANA) (Japan); ALM (Antilliaanse Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V.) (Dutch Antilles); Aloha Airlines (USA); American Airlines (USA); America West Airlines (USA); Ansett (Australia); Arkia (Israel); Aspen Airways (USA); Austrian Airlines (Austria); Avianca (Colombia); Aviateca (Guatemala); Bahamas Airways (Bahamas); Balair (Switzerland); Bonanza Air Lines (USA); Braathens S.A.F.E (South American & FAR East) (Norway); Braniff International (USA); British Air Ferries (BAF) (UK); British Airways (UK); British Caledonian Airways (UK); British Eagle International Airlines Ltd (UK); British Eagle International Airlines Ltd (UK); British Island Airways (BIA) (UK); British Midland Airways (UK); British Overseas Airways Corp (BOAC) (UK); British United (International) Airways (BUA, BUIA) (UK); British West Indies Airways (BWIA) (UK); CAAC (China); Canadian Pacific Airlines (CP Air) (Canada); Capital Airlines (USA); Cathay Pacific (UK); Cayman Airways Ltd (Cayman Islands); Ceskoslovenské Statni Aerolinie (CSA) (Czechoslovakia); China Airlines (China); Conair of Scandinavia (Denmark); Condor (Servico Aereo Condor) (Peru); Continental Airways/Airlines (USA); Crossair (Switzerland); Cruzeiro do Sol (Brazil); Cubana de Aviacion (Cuba); Cyprus Airways (Cyprus); Dan-Air (UK); Delta Air Lines (USA); DHL (Courier Express) (USA); DLT Regional (Germany); Dominicana de Aviacion (Dominican Republic); Eastern Air Lines (Eastern Air Transport) (USA); Ecuatoriana (Ecuador); EgyptAir (Egypt); El Al Israel (Israel); Emery Worldwide (USA); Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopia); Evergreen International Air Lines (USA); FalconAir (Sweden); Federal Express (USA); Finnair (Finland); Flying Tiger Line (USA); Frontier Airlines (USA); Garuda Indonesian Airways (Indonesia); Great Lakes (USA); Gulf Air (Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates); Hapag-Lloyd (Germany); Hawaiian Airlines (USA); Henson Airlines (USA); Iberia (Spain); Iceland Air (Iceland); Interflug (Germany); Iran Air (Iran); Iraqi Airways (Iraq); Japan Air Lines (JAL) (Japan); JAT (Yugoslavia); KLM (Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij) (Netherlands); Korean Air Lines (KAL); Kuwait Airways (Kuwait); LA Airways (Los Angeles Airways, Inc) (LAA) (USA); LACSA (Lineas Aereas de Costa Rica, SA) (Costa Rica); Ladeco; Lake Central Airlines (USA); Lan Chile; Linjeflyg (Sweden); LoganAir (UK); LOT (Poland); LTU (Lufttransport Unternehmen) (Germany); Lufthansa (Germany); Malev Hungarian Airlines (Hungary); Martinair (Netherlands); Mohawk Airlines (USA); Monarch Airlines (USA); National Airlines (USA); North Central Airlines (USA); Northeast (UK); Northeast Airlines (USA); Pacific Northern Airlines (USA); Northwest Airlines (USA); Olympic Airways (Greece); Ozark Air Lines; Pacific Southwest Airways (PSA) (USA); Pan American Airways (Pan Am) (USA); Piedmont Airlines (USA); Qantas Airways (Australia); Quebecair (Canada); Republic Airlines (USA); Royal Jordanian (Jordan); SABENA (Belgium); Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) (Saudi Arabia); Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS); Scenic Airlines/Airways (USA); Singapore Airlines; South African Airways (SAA); Southern Airways (USA); Southwest Airlines (USA); SwissAir (Switzerland); TAROM (Transporturile Aerienne Romane) (Rumania); Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT) (USA); Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA); Transportes Aereos Portugueses (Portugal); Trans World Airlines (TWA) (USA); Tunis Air (Tunisia); Tyrolean (Austria); United Airlines (USA); US Airways (USAir) (USA); World Airways (USA); Zantop International; and many others. The collection also contains information relating to the 50th anniversary of SABENA (Belgium); 8.5 by 11 inch lithographs of United Airlines and Cubana de Aviacion aircraft; and 8 by 10 inch photographs of aircraft and other information from All American Aviation, Lake Central Airlines, Mohawk Airlines, Pacific Southwest Airways, Piedmont Airlines, and US Airways.
Biographical / Historical:
Charles C. Tylander worked for Allegheny Airlines beginning in 1974 doing data processing work. Later, Tylander was involved in sales of Allegheny's systems globally. While traveling in this capacity, Tylander began collecting postcards from airlines all over the world.
Provenance:
Charles C. Tylander, Gift, 2013
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
This collection consists of 405 timetables from 177 domestic and international airlines.
This collection is in English.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of 405 timetables from the following 177 domestic and international airlines: Aeromexico; Aeromech Airlines; AirBC; AirCal; Air Florida; Air Canada; Air Europe; Air Hawaii; Air Great Lakes; Air India; Air Midwest; Air New England; Air New Orleans; Air North; Air Oregon; Air Pacific; Air South; Air Sunshine; Air Tran; Air UK; Air U.S.; Air Virginia; Air Wisconsin; Alaska Airlines; Allegheny; Aloha Airlines; Altair Airlines; America West Airlines; American Airlines; American Central Airlines; American International Airways; ATA; Aspen Airways; Bar Harbor Airlines; Big Sky Airlines; Blue Line Air Express; Britt Airways; BOAC; Braniff; British Airways; Canada 3000; CP Air; Canadian Airlines; Capital Airlines; Caribbean Airways; Cascade Airways; Cayman Airways; Cathay Pacific; Chaparral Airlines; Chartair; Capitol Helicopters; Charter Airlines; Christmas Air System; Cochise Airlines; Colgan Airways; Comair; Cumberland Airlines; Continental Airlines; Delta Airways; Dolphin Airways; Eastern Air Lines; Emerald; Empire Airlines; Elal Israel Airlines; Executive Airlines; First Air; Florida Airlines; Freedom Airlines; Frontier Airlines; Garuda Indonesian Airways; GLC Airlines; Golden Pacific Airlines; Golden West Airlines; Grand Canyon Airlines; Great Lakes Aviation; Gulfstream International Airlines; Harbor Airlines; Henson Airlines; Hawaiian Air; Holiday; Horizon Air; HUB Airlines; Hughes Airwest; Jamaire; Japan Air Lines; Jet America; Jet Blue Airways; Jetstream International Airlines; Kiwi International Air Lines; KLM; Korean Airlines; Lake Central; Legend Airlines; Lufthansa; Marco Island Airways; Markair; Metro Airlines; Mexicana; Mid-Continent Airlines; Monmouth Airlines; MidPacific Air; Midstate; Midway Airlines, Inc.; Midwest Express Airlines; Mississippi Valley Airlines (MVA); Mohawk; Mountain West Airline; Muse Air; Naples Airlines; National Airlines; Newair; New Haven Airways; New York Air; New York Airways; North Central Airlines; North Central; Northeast Airlines; Northeastern; Northern Airways; Northwest Airlines; Ocean Airways; Ozark Air lines; Pacific Southwest Airlines; Pacific Air Lines; Pacific Coast Airlines; Pacific Northern Airlines; Pacific Western; Pan Am; Pennsylvania Airlines; People Express; Piedmont Airlines; Pilgrim Airlines; Pocono Airlines; Presidential Airways; Pro Air; Prinair; Private Jet; Princeton Airways; PBA; Qantas; Quebecair; Ransome Airlines; Republic; Rocky Mountain Airways; Royal Hawaiian Air Service; Royale Airlines; Simmons Airlines; SFO Helicopter Airlines; Shorter Airlines; Skyways; South Pacific Island Airways; Southern; SkyWest Airlines; Southern Express; Southwest Airlines; Suburban Airlines; Sun Air; Sun Aire Lines; Sunbelt Airlines; Sunbird Airlines; Sunworld International Airways; Swift Aire Lines; Texas International; TimeAir; Tradewinds; Transair; Trans Caribbean Airways; TWA; United Air Lines; USAir; US Airways; ValuJet; Vanguard Airlines; Vee Neal Airlines; Virgin; West Jet; Western World Airways; Wien (Air Alaska); Wings Airlines, Inc.; Wings West Airlines; and Wright Air Lines. The collection also contains the following: United Menus and Pan Am Menus; TWA Photographs; TWA, TAA, and Thai Safety Instructions; Delta and Pan Am Route Maps; Air Tran Brochure; Pittsburgh International Airport Brochure; Icelandic Airlines brochure; Air Ontario Dash 8 brochure; TWA StarStream DC-9 brochure; and an USAir Trump Shuttle brochure.
Arrangement:
Arranged alphabetically by airline.
Provenance:
Bruce Goldberg, Gift, 2020, NASM.2020.0035
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
This scrapbook documents the introduction of American Airlines' Boston to London commercial service in October 1945.
Scope and Contents:
This scrapbook contains the following types of material documenting the introduction of American Airlines' Boston to London commercial service in October 1945: newspaper articles; photographs of crew, passengers, and christening speakers; flight memorabilia; and three 78 rpm record son the christening of the aircraft New England on 21 October 1945.
Arrangement:
No arrangement, one scrapbook.
Biographical / Historical:
American Airlines was developed from a conglomeration of 82 small airlines through acquisitions and reorganizations; initially called American Airways, it was a common brand for a number of independent carriers. These included Southern Air Transport in Texas, Southern Air Fast Express (SAFE) in the western US, Universal Aviation in the Midwest (which operated a transcontinental air/rail route in 1929), Thompson Aeronautical Services (which operated a Detroit-Cleveland route beginning in 1929) and Colonial Air Transport in the Northeast. On January 25, 1930, American Airways was incorporated as a single company, based in New York, with routes from Boston, New York and Chicago to Dallas, and from Dallas to Los Angeles. In 1934, American Airways Company was acquired by E. L. Cord, who renamed it "American Air Lines." Cord hired Texas businessman C. R. (Cyrus Rowlett) Smith to run the company. American was one of the four airlines, along with United Eastern, and TWA, that dominated the major transcontinental routes. Today American Airlines, Inc. is the world's third-largest airline in passenger miles transported, passenger fleet size, and operating revenues.
Provenance:
Raymond Leonard, Gift, Unknown, NASM.XXXX.0038
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
This donation consists of memorabilia, mostly from 1943, from the following American and Canadian airlines: American Airlines; Canadian Pacific Airlines; Northwest Airlines; Pennsylvania Central Airlines; Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA); TWA; United Air Lines; and Western Air Lines.
Scope and Contents:
This donation consists of memorabilia, mostly from 1943, from the following American and Canadian airlines: American Airlines; Canadian Pacific Airlines; Northwest Airlines; Pennsylvania Central Airlines; Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA); TWA; United Air Lines; and Western Air Lines. The following types of memorabilia are included: souvenir route maps, souvenir flight packets, menus, baggage labels and decals, seat occupied signs, postcards, tickets, timetable schedules, comment cards, and brochures.
Arrangement:
Arranged by airline.
Biographical / Historical:
Although casual air travel virtually ceased during the conflict, World War II brought new life to the airline industry as many airlines in the Allied countries, including the United States and Canada, were flush from lease contracts to the military. Airlines immediately began working closely with the military, coordinating the transport of aircraft, cargo, and personnel around the world. A tight priority list ensured that only those serving the war effort flew.
Provenance:
J. S. Gregson, Gift, 2002, NASM.2003.0004
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
This collection consists of materials gathered by Angela Shaw during her time at Pan Am including eleven menus from various routes; a large 1992 wall calendar featuring color illustrations of areas serviced by Pan Am; two unused Travel Card passes; two unused luggage tags; an unused luggage identification label; thirty-three unused color post cards of various sizes, some duplicates, showing various Pan Am and Altair aircraft, various locations serviced by Pan Am, and important moments in the company's history; two copies of Angela Shaw's Duty Director - Operations Control business card; the October 1989 issue of Pan Am Clipper newsletter featuring an article about Operations Control and Angela Shaw; identification badge issued to Shaw on the occasion of Ronald Reagan's trip to Ireland, Normandy and the London Economic Summit in 1984; two 1968 employee stock purchase certificates in Shaw's name; Altair Airlines cabin safety cards for the Douglas DC-9-32 and the Fokker F.28 Fellowship; a brochure promoting Altair; Pan Am's 1968 Annual Report; "The First 50 years of Pan Am" booklet; an unused iron-on transfer with an illustration of various airline crew trying to right the upside down Pan Am "world" logo and the words "Let's ALL pull together - we CAN turn it around!;" seven issues of Pan Am Flight Ops newsletter; one issue of "Crosscheck Flight Safety Dialogue" published by Pan Am; Pan Am Emergency Manual; 1988 Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular telling airlines how to disperse their fleet in the event of a nuclear attack on the United States; scroll of teletype message sent from the Command Post to the field during the crash of Pan Am Flight 103 that went down in Lockerbie, Scotland and the Command Post Log for this crash; April 27, 1992 issue of Time magazine and January 2 and 9, 1989 issues of Newsweek magazine with cover stories on the Pan Am Flight 103 crash (there is also a photocopy of the January 2 Newsweek article); Command Post Log dealing with the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt including air traffic regulation and possible evacuation of Embassy personnel; folder of Security Task Force Wires and Security Alert Bulletins from New York Operations Control including information on potential terrorist threats and types of behaviors that should label a traveler as suspicious; three air traffic pattern charts that could be used to assist in rerouting aircraft as necessary; Pan American System Control Center Daily Log entries for the period of December 15, 1989 through January 2, 1989 describing incidents such as bomb threats, suspicious travelers, and aircraft delays; copy of Military Airlift Command Regulation 55-8 dealing with operations of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF); 1990 memo from United States Air Force to civil air carriers regarding chemical warfare defense for CRAF; memo containing annual refresher briefing updates to the "Industrial Security Manual" for all Pan Am employees holding CRAF Security Clearance; photocopy of a letter from Albert E. Brockob (Pan Am pilot) to Colonel Ronald N. Priddy, USAF regarding a CRAF mission during Operation Desert Storm during which the aircraft encountered Scud missile alerts with a copy of the flight crew report and copy of an Aviation Week & Space Technology article about the incident attached; Fall 1990 issue of Airlift: The Journal of the Airlift Operations School featuring information on defensive systems for airlifters; one folder of airport security memos and various security alerts issued by Pan Am and the Federal Aviation Administration including information on terrorist threats, political unrest, and other incidents; a folder of blank airline forms and charts including crew member's U.S. customs declarations, North Atlantic Plotting Chart, takeoff computations forms, aircraft allowable ramp weight computation chart, balance computer, loading planner and sheets, aircraft movement message, fuel loading instructions, and a Douglas DC-8-63 load manifest; and one folder of newspaper and magazine articles regarding terrorism and travel.
Biographical / Historical:
Pan American World Airways was active in the airline industry from 1927, when it established a regular scheduled international service, to its bankruptcy in late 1991. Pan American was the first American airline to operate a permanent international air service. From its first route between Key West and Havana, Pan Am extended its routes into the rest of the Caribbean, Central America and South America. In 1936, Pan Am inaugurated passenger service in the Pacific, and began service in the Atlantic in 1939. Pan Am started around-the-world commercial air service in 1947. Besides setting many "firsts" with routes, Pan Am also established "firsts" in the aircraft technology they chose, such as being the first to use Boeing Model 747s in regular scheduled services. Angela Shaw was the Duty Director - Operations Control.
Provenance:
Angela Shaw, Gift, 2008
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
2.43 Cubic feet (One flat box, one record center box, and one legal document box.)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Timetables
Maps (documents)
Annual reports
Picture postcards
Photographs
Date:
1950s - 1970s
bulk 1960s - 1970s
Summary:
This collection consists of material on 318 national and international airlines.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of material on 318 national and international airlines. The material includes photographs, postcards, annual reports, timetables, correspondence, route maps, advertisements, newsletters, souvenir booklets, lists of aircraft used, books, and periodicals.
Arrangement:
Arranged by airline.
Biographical / Historical:
World War II brought new life to the airline industry as many airlines in the Allied countries were flush from lease contracts to the military. Foreseeing a future demand for civil air transport, airlines invested in air travel and when wartime travel restrictions ended, passenger travel around the world surged to new levels. New carriers emerged, and new technology began to revolutionize civil aviation after the war. Flying become more popular and commonplace due to the new level of speed, comfort and efficiency airlines brought to the traveling public. The jet engine revolutionized air travel, by allowing aircraft manufacturers to build bigger, faster, and more productive airliners, thus enabling them to reduce their operating costs and airfares.
Provenance:
Arnold Egeland, Gift, 1990, NASM.1991.0015
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Lindbergh, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1902-1974 Search this
Extent:
0.05 Cubic feet (1 folder)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
1927-1957
bulk 1928-1931
Summary:
This collection consists of first day air mail covers collected by pilot and philatelic enthusiast Basil Lee Rowe, predominantly during his career as an airline pilot for Pan American Airways (PAA) in the Caribbean area in the period 1927-1931. Collection includes covers carried by Charles A. Lindbergh in his Ryan NYP "Spirit of St. Louis" during his tour of the Caribbean in February 1928, and covers autographed by many of the early airline pilots who carried them, including Cy Caldwell, Edwin Musik, Caspar D. Swinson, Charles R. Parmelee, and Rowe himself.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of first day air mail covers collected by Basil Rowe, predominantly during his career as a pilot in the Caribbean area. Most of the air mail was carried by West Indian Aerial Express (WIAE) or Pan American Airways (PAA) between Florida and islands in the Caribbean or Caribbean ports in Central and South America. Some of the first day covers are autographed by the pilots of the flights (including Cy Caldwell, Edwin Musik, Caspar D. Swinson, Charles R. Parmelee, and Rowe himself) or other noted aviators such as Dean C. Smith, or public officials such as Theodore Roosevelt III, then Governor of Puerto Rico. One group of covers were carried by Charles A. Lindbergh in the Ryan NYP "Spirit of St. Louis" during his tour of the Caribbean in February 1928. Following the covers is an annotated price list; note that not all items listed are part of this collection. Also included at the end of the collection are PAA forms used by two non-PAA pilots for flights inbound to Miami, Florida, from Havana, Cuba, in July 1931: James Goodwin Hall in his Lockheed Altair "The Crusader" (r/n NR-15W), and Frank M. Hawks in his Travel Air Mystery Ship "Texaco 13" (r/n NR-1313).
Arrangement:
Air mail covers are arranged in chronological order; documents appear following the covers at the end of the collection.
Biographical / Historical:
Basil Lee Rowe (1896-1973) enjoyed a long and successful career in aviation, initially as a military exhibition pilot, barnstormer, air racer, charter operator, flight instructor, aircraft salesman, and rumrunner, before moving to the West Indies to start an airline, the short-lived West Indian Aerial Express, bought out by Pan American Airways in 1928. Rowe became a pioneering senior pilot for Pan Am, flying with them for 28 years before his retirement in 1956.
Related Materials:
See related collection Basil Lee Rowe Collection, NASM.XXXX.0019.
Provenance:
Basil Lee Rowe via Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences, Gift, 1965, NASM.XXXX.0487
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
