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(EARLY AVIATION) A selection of 10 press photographs documenting the early decades of aviation, including one Wright Brothers photograp

PLUS GASTON TISSANDIER'S HOT AIR BALLOONS (EARLY AVIATION)
A selection of 10 press photographs documenting the early decades of aviation, including one Wright Brothers photograph.
The group features a Wright Brothers image depicting the first flight at Kill Devil Hill near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903. Also including a squadron of English airplanes waiting to join the Allied offensive in Europe in 1916, a German glider, William Atwood achieving an altitude of more than 200 feet in his glider, San Diego (1929), an experimental design called a Glider Sail Plane (1929), early airmail delivery that included dropping the mail via a rope (1930), a plane crash, and more. Silver prints, many with retouching and editorial markings, the images measuring 7½x9½ inches (19.1x24.1 cm.), one mounted, some sheets slightly larger, most with captions and dates in pencil and ink and press and/or date stamps, and some with small press clippings, and the Wright Brothers image with extensive and numerous captions, clippings, and date stamps. 1903-30; the Wright Brothers printed 1933

WITH-- A selection of four photographs, all of which appear to relate to the flight pursuits of Gaston & Albert Tissandier, including an image of their electrically powered dirigible and a signed cabinet card portrait of Gaston Tissandier. The other two images depict inflated hot air balloons. Albumen prints, the images measuring 4 5/8x6½ inches (11.7x16.5 cm.), and slightly smaller, the mounts 5x7 inches (12.7x17.8 cm.), and slightly smaller, the cabinet card apparently signed and inscribed by Gaston. 1880s

Provenance: The Estate of Richard T. Rosenthal, Philadelphia

  • Condition: This selection of 10 press photographs related to aviation is in overall good to very good condition. The prints evidence the typical surface imperfections associated with press materials, including scattered soft handling marks and impressions. This is generally not obtrusive, nor does it impact the overall quality of the image. Six of the prints have retouching and editorial markings, added by the press room in order to enhance or isolate the image components for reproduction. This is inherent to the format.

    The Wright Brothrs photograph has numerous editorial markings, including a red line added just above the plane. The surface evidences numerous small creases from handling (more so than the other prints in this group), and there are extensive applications of press clippings and stamps on verso. An object that speaks to both editorial and press history as well as the clear importance of the Wright Brothers' landmark flight innovation.

    The additional selection of photographs related to Gaston & Tissandier are overall very good, with a neat presentation. The prints evidence the very slight and unobtrusive soiling that might be expected given the prints' age, but overall they are bright and clean while retaining generally strong contrast and detail. The horizontal image evidences a couple faint spots of foxing. The signed cabinet card evidences an impression in the margins as well as a small crack at the lower corner of the mount, slightly impacting the inscription. This was inexpertly repaired on verso.


    Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

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February 23, 2023 12:00 PM EST
New York, NY, US

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