MS-37 Aeronautical Ephemera Collection I

Introduction

These are the manuscripts containing trade brochures, honorary programs, passes, certificates and photographs on aviation dating from 1904-1929. Most of the material dwells on the years 1909-1912. The collection was purchased on October 29, 1976 from:

Hamill and Barker
Antiquarian and Booksellers
230 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60601

No restrictions were made at the time of the purchase. All items are in good condition. They represent broadsides, advertisements, programs, photographs and small booklets. It is an artificial collection, having been gathered from many sources and then sold. No agency history can be written about various motor companies and their advertisements. A description of each motor series follows this introduction and gives an explanation of the common theme of these separate, artificial manuscripts.

Approximate number of items: 53

Linear Feet of Shelf space occupied: 1

Scope and Content

The Aeronautical Ephemera collection contains small booklets, motor company advertisements, a blueprint of an airplane engine, postcards used for advertising, invitations to honorary luncheons and programs, arm bands for membership in an Aero Club, certificates illustrating a man’s license to fly and business cards. All deal with aviation and have the common theme of being mostly Pre-World War I. The collection has been divided into four series.

Series I. Trade Brochures – this series contains small booklets each describing a major manufacturing company dating from 1904-1919. Most of the companies were functioning from 1909-1912. Included also are some advertisement cards and a blueprint of an engine part. Each company gives a detailed account of the type of engine (horsepower needed) that should be produced for heavier-than-air flight. All companies show the functions of the car engine they are producing and relate it to the aeronautical motor they have invented. Detailed drawings illustrate the parts of the engine, followed by horsepower statistics, weight and cost. Advertising this new engine is the main point the companies are attempting to project. The successful flights of the Wright Brothers in 1908 are obviously the stimulus for the sudden burst of energy of motor companies to construct an aeronautical engine. Examples of companies represented are the Detroit Aeroplane Co., Adams-Farwell Aeronautic motor, Easton Cordage Co., Curtiss, and the Rinek Aero Mfg. Co. Others are also listed.

Series II. Honorary Programs – contains luncheon and dinner invitations, complete with menu, in honor of the following famous aviators:

A. Captain Edward Rickenbacker
B. Colonel Charles Lindbergh
C. Bert “Fish” Hassell – includes his signature on the invitation
D. The German and Irish Flyers-Baren Ehrenfried Guenther ven Huenefeld, Major      James C. Fitzmaurice and Captain Herman Koehl.
E. Dr. Hugo Edrener-commander of the Graf Zepplin
F.

Series III. Passes and Certificates – this third series contains arm bands worn by members of the Aero Club of America. A brochure, stating what aviation activities members are admitted free to attend, is included. Two free admittance cards are enclosed: the first to the Gordon-Bennett Race on September 9, 1912. The second to the Cierco Flying Field held September 12 to 15 in 1912.

Series IV. Photographs – Series IV contains various photographs with dates in 1912. There are six original photographs of an airplane engine, 3 original photographs of airplanes from the Curtiss Exhibition Company, 10 original photographic postcards showing airplanes, 2 original photographs of an unidentified flying contraption and 2 negatives of Eddie Horn and his Aeroplane.

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