10/6/2016 - American History: Timed Online Auction - ends 10/17

October 06, 2016 12:00 PM EDT Cincinnati
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Glenn Curtiss, Charles Willard, and the Golden Flier, 1909, Seven Photographs
327

Glenn Curtiss, Charles Willard, and the Golden Flier, 1909, Seven Photographs

Lot of 7 photographs that picture Glenn Curtiss, the Curtiss Pusher known as the "Golden Flier," in flight and on the ground, and Charles Willard, on the occasion of Curtiss winning the Scientific American trophy for the second consecutive year, and Willard being trained to fly the Golden Flier. Mineola, Long Island, New York, 1909. Silver prints, each approximately 3.5 x 4.25 in. Slight residue on the back corners, but minimal, having at one time been in an album. Slight stain mark on the upper edge of one of the photos, two of the photos have a corner clipped, but not affecting the subject image of the photos. Curtiss is pictured second from the right in the group portrait. 

 
The Golden Flier (also known as the Curtiss No. 1, and originally named the Gold Bug) was the first commercial sale of an aeroplane in the United States, purchased by the Aeronautic Society of New York. Included in the contract was the provision that Curtiss would train two members of the Aeronautic Society to fly the aircraft, Charles Willard being one of them. The second member to be trained was Alexander Williams who crashed on takeoff, breaking an arm and receiving otherwise more superficial injuries. The aircraft was badly damaged, but subsequently repaired by Curtiss. 
 

 

Condition:

Slight residue on the back corners, but minimal, having at one time been in an album. Slight stain mark on the upper edge of one of the photos, two of the photos have a corner clipped, but not affecting the subject image of the photos.

Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium
$720
10/06/2016