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Pilots' Licenses Collection

Names:
Aero Club of America  Search this
National Aeronautic Association (U.S.)  Search this
Coffyn, Frank, 1878-1960  Search this
Havens, Beckwith.  Search this
Keightley, George M., 1889-1967  Search this
Upson, Ralph Hazlett, 1888-1968  Search this
Extent:
0.33 Cubic feet (1 box)
Container:
Box 107 (Shared)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Ephemera
Identity cards
Date:
1911-1948
Summary:
This collection contains pilot's licenses issued in the early 20th century. It includes licenses from various nations such as Canada, France, Italy, and the United States.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of a variety of different types of pilots' licenses issued by civilian, government, and military organizations dating from 1911 to 1948. Licenses certified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) form most of the licenses issued by private organizations. Four founding clubs of FAI - Aero Club D'Italia, the Aero Club of America, the Aéro-Club de France, and the Royal Aero Club - are featured. The United States Navy, US Army Air Corps, and one item from the Canadian Air Force represent the military licenses in the collection. Licenses issued by the United State Department of Commerce form a large portion of licenses issued by governments.

Other forms of personal identification were discovered with many of the pilots' licenses in this collection. Examples of these items include a driver's license, a firearms license, aviation membership cards, and business cards.

Included in this collection are licenses belonging to Raymond Emmanuel Bollack, Laura Bromwell, John Milton Bryant, Frank T. Coffyn, Curtis La Q. Day, Richard Duncan, Lester D. Gardner, G. S. Gillespie, Paul R. Gruhler, Beckwith Havens, Frederick A. Hoover, George M. Keightley, Benjamin Scovill Kelsey, Alfred S. Koch, Lawrence Leon, Grover Loening, Cord Meyer, Zenos Ramsey Miller, Thomas DeWitt Milling, Charles L. Morris, Thea Rasche, Roland Rohlfs, D. deR. M. Scarrit, Walter J. Shaffer, Thomas E. Springer, Norman Sweetser, Alexander Blair Thaw II, Ralph H. Upson, Clifford L. Webster and E. A. Yeager. A blank license attributed to the Service de la Navigation Aérienne is also included.
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged alphabetically by surname of the licensee.
Biographical / Historical:
Prior to 1926, pilots in the United States were not required to have any documentation or certification to operate an aircraft. To demonstrate ability and credibility, private organizations as well as military agencies issued their own licenses. These early licenses were available for different aircrafts across various disciplines and served to allow individuals to participate in aeronautic events endorsed by civil organizations.

A prominent international organization, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), supplied licenses to aviators around the world. Founded in 1905, FAI formed through the collaboration of aviation clubs from eight countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States.

Pilots' licenses became a requirement after the Air Commerce Act of 1926, which promoted the improvement and maintenance of safety standards in air commerce. With a variety of different examples of pilots' licenses, the collection provides insight into the types of documentation issued to military and civilian pilots during the first half of the twentieth century.
Provenance:
Gifts and transfers from various sources and unknown, NASM.XXXX.0650.
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
Topic:
Air pilots  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Women air pilots  Search this
Genre/Form:
Identity cards
Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
NASM.XXXX.0650
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg245a4f0b0-8f3a-4e26-b360-6751aeb46293
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650
Online Media:

Hydroaeroplane Certificate

Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1925
Scope and Contents:
A Hydroaeroplane Certificate issued to Webster by the Aero CLub of America in 1925. No issuing date, but expired on 31 December 1925. The license contains a photograph of Webster.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Aviation  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Pilots' Licenses Collection / Clifford L. Webster
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg25102cea9-dcda-47ff-937f-a9d135ebb720
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref76

Naval Aviator's Certificate

Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1917-11-05
Scope and Contents:
A Naval Aviator's certificate issued to Webster on 5 November 1925 by the United States Navy, The license contains a photograph of Webster. The inside of the license is fragile, specifically the protective covers on either page.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Pilots' Licenses Collection / Clifford L. Webster
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2a76fbec3-145e-467a-95af-a41f349bb512
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref77

Aviator's Pilot License

Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1911-10-25
Scope and Contents:
An Aviator's license issued by the Aero Club of America to Webster on 25 October 1911. The license contains a photograph of Webster.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Aviation  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Pilots' Licenses Collection / Clifford L. Webster
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2139c489b-8dda-4c58-9999-be78330acc8a
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref78

E. A. Yeager

Type:
Archival materials
Scope and Contents:
E. A. Yeager was born on 17 July 1892. Yeager was issued a Spherical Balloon Pilot's license by the Aero Club of America.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Licenses  Search this
Ballooning  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2f7a58473-1101-4507-ba70-9d515bec2fd3
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref79

Spherical Balloon Pilot's License

Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1917-08-08
Scope and Contents:
The Aero Club of America issued a Spherical Balloon Pilot's license to Yeager on 8 August 1917. The license contains a photograph of Yeager.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Ballooning  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Pilots' Licenses Collection / E. A. Yeager
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2dede06d9-e742-4753-92e3-629b68ca3a8a
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref80

Ralph H. Upson

Type:
Archival materials
Scope and Contents:
Ralph H. Upson was born on 21 June 1888.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Ballooning  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Aviation  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2583c2716-87ef-4fa1-8768-04af9a634ba7
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref71

Dirigible Balloon Pilot's License

Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1917-07-25
Scope and Contents:
A Dirigible Balloon Pilot's license issued to Upson by the Aero Club of America on 25 July 1917. The license contains a photograph of Upson.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Ballooning  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Pilots' Licenses Collection / Ralph H. Upson
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg28bc55f56-23b4-45e7-b25b-9f81bcd82e6d
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref72

Spherical Balloon Pilot's License

Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1913-06-25
Scope and Contents:
A Spherical Balloon Pilot's license issued to Upson by the Aero Club of America on 25 June 1913. The license contains a photograph of Upson.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Ballooning  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Pilots' Licenses Collection / Ralph H. Upson
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg25390a078-9045-4c4f-b359-e4cd54eed18c
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref73

Clifford L. Webster

Type:
Archival materials
Scope and Contents:
Clifford L. Webster was born on 14 May 1891.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Aviation  Search this
Naval aviation  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2daeb7703-3670-4ae8-863f-67035e1cef1a
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref75

Mechanic's License

Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1927-07-01
Scope and Contents:
A Mechnic's license issued to Scarritt by the United States Department of Commerce on 1 July 1927. The license contains a photograph of Scarritt.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Licenses  Search this
Aviation  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Pilots' Licenses Collection / D. deR. M. Scarritt
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg273e55edb-8054-4dcb-b91e-f7000747adb6
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref61

Walter J. Shaffer

Type:
Archival materials
Scope and Contents:
Walter J. Shaffer was born on 15 February 1892.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Aviation  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg26f6087ab-fb3b-487f-a090-5732ae0b41c4
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref62

Aviator's Pilot License

Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1920-12-24
Scope and Contents:
An Aviator's Pilot license issued to Shaffer by the Sport Aviation Commision of France on 24 December 1920. The license contains a photograph of Scahffer.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Aviation  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Pilots' Licenses Collection / Walter J. Shaffer
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg22acf9d8c-6607-43f0-9cfb-21c64641205e
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref63

Thomas E. Springer

Type:
Archival materials
Scope and Contents:
Thomas E. Springer was born on 23 January 1892.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Aviation  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2dd9ede31-c6be-4789-9392-abb0c709952e
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref64

Aviator's Certificate

Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1916-06-28
Scope and Contents:
An Aviator's Certificate issued to Springer by the Aero Club of America on 28 June 1916. The license contains a photograph of Springe
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Aviation  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Pilots' Licenses Collection / Thomas E. Springer
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg22353d5d0-a7aa-45bb-b870-995e07b58db5
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref65

Norman Sweetser

Type:
Archival materials
Scope and Contents:
Norman Sweetser was born on 29 April 1894. He was issued both an Aviator's Pilot License and a Superiore Aviator's pilot license by the Aero Club of Italy.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Aviation  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg20a9b5be6-57d2-4528-8d6f-0fa1a3602307
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref66

American Expeditionary Forces Identity Card

Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1917-1918
Scope and Contents:
An Identity card issued by the American Expeditionary Forces to Thaw during World War I. The card contains a photogrpah of Thaw. The spine of the card is fragile. Issuing date not listed.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
World War, 1914-1918  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Pilots' Licenses Collection / Alexander Blair Thaw II
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2cb6d6961-9465-4384-9ec9-89e663246c2e
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref70

Thea Rasche

Type:
Archival materials
Scope and Contents:
Thea Rasche was born on 12 August 1899.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Aviation  Search this
Women in aeronautics  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2b278079f-6cbb-4ed6-bfda-03a375195edd
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref55

Annual Sporting License

Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1929
Scope and Contents:
An Annual Sporting license issued to Rasche in 1929 by the National Aeronautic Association of the U.S.A. and expired on 31 December 1929. The license contains a photograph of Rasche.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Aviation  Search this
Women in aeronautics  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Pilots' Licenses Collection / Thea Rasche
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg203e8b1fd-84e7-427f-b212-53756428bf75
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref56

Roland Rohlfs

Type:
Archival materials
Scope and Contents:
Roland Rohlfs was born on 10 February 1892. Variety of licenses belonging to Rohlfs.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection 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
Topic:
Aviation  Search this
aeronautics, civil  Search this
Licenses  Search this
Collection Citation:
Pilots' Licenses Collection, NASM.XXXX.0650, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Pilots' Licenses Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2d00c33a3-f7f4-4c0b-815d-17d6f478e82e
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0650-ref57

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