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Collection of Antique/Vintage Pioneer Aviation Postcards – Sold Individually

A collection of genuine antique/vintage pioneer aviation postcards. Please see high-res photos of both the front and back of the cards for condition. The watermarks in the photographs do not appear on the original postcards.

The subject and details of the postcards are as follows:

WW1 History & Traditions of the Royal Flying Corps - A genuine antique, First World War period postcard featuring the history of the Royal Flying Corps, incorporating a very nice artist's impression depicting members of the RFC, Cody's man-lifting kite, a dirigible airship and a Bleriot monoplane. Published by Gale & Polden Ltd, London, Aldershot & Portsmouth. Posted to an address in Poplar, London. Franked June 1916. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches.Fair/good used condition (some creasing and soiling).

Lufthansa Junkers G-38 Aeroplane - A scarce, genuine vintage real photo postcard depicting the large German four-engine transport aircraft, Junkers G.38, registration 'D-2500', operated by Lufthansa. Likely to date from around 1930. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse. Very good unused condition.

The Junkers G.38 was a large German four-engine transport aircraft that first flew in 1929. Two examples were constructed in Germany. Both aircraft flew as commercial transports within Europe in the years leading up to the Second World War. During the 1930s, the design was licensed to Mitsubishi, which constructed and flew a total of six aircraft, in a military bomber/transport configuration, designated Ki-20.

1910 H. Rougier's First Mediterranean Flight - A scarce, genuine antique postcard entitled, "Monaco - Le premier vol au-dessus de la Méditerranée par H. Rougier sur biplane Voisin (3 mars 1910)" (Monaco - The first flight over the Mediterranean by H. Rougier on a Voisin biplane (March 3, 1910)), depicting the French pioneer aviator, Henri Rougier, flying over Monaco in his Voisin biplane, completing the first crossing of the Mediterranean by air. Published in France by Edition Gileta and dating from 1910.The reverse has an interesting inscription relating to the flight. The card was sent from Monaco, on 16 March 1910, only 6 days after the flight, to an address in Filey, Yorkshire. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. Very good condition.

1908 Dirigible Airship Postcard - St Dogmaels, Wales - A scarce, genuine antique postcard decorated with an attractive image of an early dirigible airship flying over the English Channel, with ships and boats below. Accompanying the image is the verse, “O’er Time’s Unfathomed Seas I send you Fondest Greetings”. The card was published by Wildt & Kray, London E.C. (Series No.1145). Posted to an address in St Dogmaels, near Cardigan, Pembrokeshire, Wales and franked on 2 April 1908. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. Good condition.

Edwardian Royal Engineers Balloon Section - A rare genuine antique postcard depicting an observation balloon of the Royal Engineers Balloon Section and decorated with a King Edward VII period Royal Engineers badge. The postcard is entitled, “Royal Engineers Balloon Section, preparing for an ascent with balloon 10,000 feet capacity”. Published by GD&D (Gottschalk, Dreyfuss & Davis Co Ltd, London) as part of their ‘Star Series’. Posted condition with an ink handwritten inscription and sent to an address in Copnor, Portsmouth, Hampshire. It was posted in Letchworth, Herts, the franked date is not fully legible (but appears to be 1910). Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse (with museum collection handstamp). Fair/good condition (a small chip to the top left corner which does not affect the image).

1914 Sanke LFG Roland Stahl-Taube - A rare, genuine antique real photo postcard entitled, "Stahltaube 'Roland'", depicting the German monoplane, Roland Stahl-taube, manufactured by Luft-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft M.b.H., Berlin (LFG). Published by "Postkartenvertrieb W. Sanke" of Berlin and dating from 1914. The postcard has a period German postage stamp appiled to the front and two franking stamps from Berlin, dated 4 March 1914. The postcard has been inscribed in pencil and sent to an address in Bury St. Edmonds. The reverse also has two additional hand-stamps, one from the original retailer in Berlin, and the other a faint museum collection stamp. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. Good condition (slight creasing to one corner).

The Etrich Taube, also known by the names of the various later manufacturers who built versions of the type, was the first military aeroplane to be mass-produced in Germany. The Taube was very popular prior to the First World War, and it was also used by the air forces of Italy and Austria-Hungary. Even the Royal Naval Air Service operated at least one Taube in 1912. On 1 November 1911, Giulio Gavotti, an Italian aviator, dropped the world's first aerial bomb from his Taube monoplane over the Ain Zara oasis in Libya. Once the war began, it quickly proved inadequate as a warplane and was soon replaced by other designs.

1914 General Joffre Inspects a TSF Gun on Biplane - A rare, genuine antique postcard entitled, "La Grande Guerre 1914 - Le Generalissime inspecte une installation de T.S.F. a bord d'un Avion" (General Joffre examines an installation of T.S.F. on a biplane), depicting the French General Joffre inspecting an Armée de l'Air biplane fitted with a machine gun with a Timing Synchronization Function (TSF). Published in France and dating from 1914. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unsent and the reverse uninscribed. Very good condition.

Blackburn Iris Prototype Flying Boat c.1926 - A scarce, genuine vintage real photo postcard entitled, "The Blackburn Iris Three-Engined Flying Boat", depicting the prototype (N.185) of the Royal Air Force Blackburn Iris R.B.1 flying boat. Likely to date from around 1926. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse. Good used condition (a single crease in the top corner).

The Blackburn Iris was a British three-engined biplane flying boat of the 1920s. Although only five Irises were built, it was used as a long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft by the Royal Air Force, where it equipped a squadron for four years, being used to carry out a number of notable long-distance flights. The prototype R.B.1, with the designation Iris I, and with the serial number N185, made its maiden flight from Blackburn's factory at Brough on 19 June 1926, being delivered to the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment at Felixstowe the next day, being fully tested during July and August.

Melvin Vaniman Triplane c.1908 - A rare, genuine antique postcard entitled, "Tri-plan de M. Melvin Vaniman", depicting the triplane belonging to the American pioneer aviator, Melvin Vaniman. Published by "Hauser, Paris" and likely to date from around 1908. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse. Very good unused condition (a museum handstamp on the reverse).

Chester Melvin Vaniman (October 30, 1866 – July 2, 1912) was an American aviator and photographer who specialized in panoramic images. He shot images from gas balloons, ships masts, tall buildings and even a home-made 30-metre (98 ft) pole. On 18 December 1908 he flew a steel-tube-frame triplane he designed and built himself a distance of 150 meters (490 feet) above the parade ground at Issy-les-Moulineaux, France. On July 2, 1912, Vaniman was killed during his second attempt at a trans-Atlantic airship crossing when his dirigible, the Goodyear built 'Akron', (not the later US Navy airship of the same name) exploded off the shore of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Charles Lindbergh & Ambassador Herrick c.1927 - A genuine vintage real photo postcard depicting the American aviator, Charles Lindbergh and Ambassador Myron T. Herrick with French army officers in Paris, France, on 22 May 22 1927. Charles Lindbergh was the first pilot to fly the Atlantic solo. Published by Underwood. Dating from around 1927. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse (with museum collection handstamp). Very good condition.

Leon Delegrange Voisin Biplane c.1907 - A rare, genuine antique real photo postcard entitled, "Areoplano Delegrange" (Airplane Delegrange), depicting the French pioneer aviator, Leon Delegrange's Voisin '1907' biplane in flight. Published by "Ditta D. Raineri di L. Fioroni - Milano" (D. Raineri Company by L. Fioroni - Milan) and Likely to date from around 1907. The postcard also bears Delegrange's facsimile signature. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse. Very good condition (the remnants of a handstamp on the reverse).

Ferdinand Marie Léon Delagrange (13 March 1872 – 4 January 1910) was a sculptor and pioneering French aviator. He was one of the first men in Europe to take up aviation. In 1907, he was one of the first people to order an aircraft from Gabriel Voisin of the Voisin brothers, enabling them to get established as manufacturers of airplanes. The aircraft was the first example of what was to become one of the most successful early French aircraft, the Voisin 1907 biplane. His first public flight was made on 16 March 1907 at Bagatelle (France) where he flew a biplane.

1914 Sanke Harlan-Pfeil Taube Monoplane - A rare, genuine antique real photo postcard entitled, "Harlan-Pfeil-Taube", depicting the German monoplane, Leon Harlan-Pfeil-Taube in flight. Published by "Postkartenvertrieb W. Sanke" of Berlin and dating from 1914. The postcard has a period German postage stamp appiled to the front and three franking stamps, two from Berlin dated 9 March 1914 and the other from Bury St. Edmonds, dated 11 March 1914. The postcard has been inscribed in pencil and sent to an address in Bury St. Edmonds. The reverse also has two additional hand-stamps, one from the original retailer in Berlin, and the other a museum collection stamp. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse. Good condition (slight staining to the front ).

The Etrich Taube, also known by the names of the various later manufacturers who built versions of the type, such as the Harlan-Pfeil Taube, was a pre-World War I monoplane aircraft. It was the first military aeroplane to be mass-produced in Germany. The Taube was very popular prior to the First World War, and it was also used by the air forces of Italy and Austria-Hungary. Even the Royal Naval Air Service operated at least one Taube in 1912. On 1 November 1911, Giulio Gavotti, an Italian aviator, dropped the world's first aerial bomb from his Taube monoplane over the Ain Zara oasis in Libya. Once the war began, it quickly proved inadequate as a warplane and was soon replaced by other designs.

Capt. Charles Lindbergh Atlantic Flight Hero - A genuine vintage postcard entitled “Capt. C.A. Lindbergh – The Lone Atlantic Flight Hero” depicting the American aviator, Charles Lindbergh, who was the first pilot to fly the Atlantic solo. Published by Raphael Tuck & Sons, London as part of their ‘Photoprint’ series. No.4986. Likely to date from around 1927. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse (with museum collection handstamp). Very good condition.

1909 Latham & Levavasseur Port Aviation Air Show - A rare antique pioneer aviation postcard entitled, “Nos Aviatuers – Hubert Latham et Levavasseur” (Our Aviators – Hubert Latham and Levavasseur) depicting a cartoon caricature of the pioneer aviator, Hubert Latham and the aircraft designer, Léon Levavasseur, by the cartoonist, ‘Weal’ and dated 1909. The postcard also bears Latham’s facsimile signature. It has been franked with the handstamp, “Grande Quinzaine de Juvisy – Port Aviation 1909” (Great Fortnight of Juvisy – Port Aviation 1909) indicating that it was sold at the air show in October 1909 held at Port Aviation (Juvisy airport) in Paris, the world's first purpose-built airfield. The card was Published by “Méria, éditeir, 8, rue Pasteur, Paris”. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse (with museum collection handstamp). Very good condition.

Arthur Charles Hubert Latham (1883–1912) was a French aviation pioneer. He was the first person to attempt to cross the English Channel in an aeroplane. Due to engine failure during his first of two attempts to cross the Channel, he became the first person to land an aeroplane on a body of water. In August 1909 at the Grande Semaine d'Aviation de la Champagne he set the world altitude record of 155 metres (509 ft) in his Antoinette IV. In April 1910 he set the official World Airspeed Record of 48.186 miles per hour (77.548 km/h) in his Antoinette VII.

Léon Levavasseur (1863 – 1922) was a French powerplant engineer, aircraft designer and inventor. His innovations included the V8 engine, direct fuel injection, and liquid engine cooling. Primarily associated with the Antoinette company.

The world's first purpose-built airfield, named "Port-Aviation", was situated at Viry-Châtillon, 12 miles south of the centre of Paris. It was often referred to as Juvisy, after the neighbouring commune. The first flights on the field were made in November 1908 and the field was officially inaugurated on 23 May 1909, when the world's first air race was held. This was followed by several minor weekend meetings and the two-week "Grande Quinzaine" in October.

Alberto Santos Dumont Pioneer Aeronaut & Designer - A genuine antique real photo postcard depicting the Brazilian pioneer aeronaut, aviator and aeronautics designer Alberto Santos Dumont. Published in France by EOK, Paris and likely to date from around 1910. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse with a museum collection handstamp. Very good condition. This item will be sent protected within a board-back envelope.

Alberto Santos-Dumont (20 July 1873 – 23 July 1932) was a Brazilian aeronaut, sportsman, inventor, and one of the few people to have contributed significantly to the early development of both lighter-than-air and heavier-than-air aircraft.

1908 Antique Wilbur Wright & Hart O. Berg - A rare, genuine antique postcard entitled "L'Aviation en 1908" (Aviation in 1908), depicts the American pioneer aviator Wilbur Wright (one of the Wright Brothers) and Hart Ostheimer Berg, the brothers' agent in Europe. The photograph was taken in August 1908 at the Hunaudières horse racing track near the town of Le Mans, during Wilbur Wright's visit to France during which he gave public flying demonstrations. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse. Very good unused condition (a museum handstamp on the reverse).

Wilbur Wright was one of the Wright brothers. He and his brother, Orville Wright, were American aviation pioneers generally credited with inventing, building, and flying the world's first successful aeroplane. They made the first controlled, sustained flight of an engine-powered, heavier-than-air aircraft with the Wright Flyer on December 17, 1903, four miles south of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, at what is now known as Kill Devil Hills.

Hart Ostheimer Berg was an American-born engineer and businessman. Celebrated for his transatlantic promotion of innovative industrial products in the early twentieth century, he is best known for having represented the Wright Brothers’ aviation interests in Europe.

Count von Zeppelin/Graf von Zeppelin c.1912 - A rare, genuine antique colour lithograph postcard depicting the German General and airship inventor, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, reproduced from a portrait painting by Erwin Emerich. The card bears Zeppelin's facsimile signature. Published in Germany by Farbenphotographische Gesellschaft m.b.h., Sttuttgart. Likely to date from around 1912. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse (with museum collection handstamp). Very good condition (minor approx. 2cm scuff to the surface on the reverse of the card).

Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin (German: Ferdinand Adolf Heinrich August Graf von Zeppelin (8 July 1838 – 8 March 1917) was a German general and later inventor of the Zeppelin rigid airships. His name became synonymous with airships and dominated long-distance flight until the 1930s. He founded the company Luftschiffbau Zeppelin.

WW1 ‘Fate of the Super-Zeppelin’ (L31 Potters Bar) - A genuine antique, First World War period tinted real photo postcard entitled, “Fate of the Super-Zeppelin – Wonderful View of the Monster Airship Falling to Earth in Flames, Oct. 1st 1916”, and depicting the Imperial German zeppelin L31, which was shot down over Potters Bar. Published by J. Beagles & Co Ltd. Posted to an address in East Bierley, Bradford, Yorkshire and franked March 1917. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. Good used condition.

WW1 Lieut. William Leefe Robinson VC Zeppelin Cuffley c.1916 - A genuine antique, First World War period postcard depicting Lt. William Leefe Robinson, who was awarded a Victoria Cross for shooting down the German Zeppelin SL.11 over Cuffley in September 1916. Published by St. James Press, Clerkenwell, London around 1916.Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse (with museum collection handstamp). Good used condition.

Charles Lindbergh Aviator by Armand Noyer, Paris - A genuine vintage postcard entitled “Lindbergh” depicting the American aviator, Charles Lindbergh, who was the first pilot to fly the Atlantic solo. Published in France by A.N. (Armand Noyer, 22 Rue Ravignan, Paris). Likely to date from around 1927. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse (with museum collection handstamp). Very good condition.

Charles Augustus Lindbergh (1902 – 1974) was an American aviator, military officer, and author. On May 20–21, 1927, he made the first nonstop flight from New York to Paris, a distance of 3,600 miles (5,800 km), flying alone for over 33 hours. His aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis, was built to compete for the $25,000 Orteig Prize for the first flight between the two cities. Although not the first transatlantic flight, it was the first solo crossing of the Atlantic and the longest at the time by nearly 2,000 miles (3,200 km), setting a new flight distance world record. The achievement garnered Lindbergh worldwide fame and stands as one of the most consequential flights in history, signalling a new era of air transportation between parts of the globe.

Gerald Nettleton American Aviator c.1930 - A rare real photo postcard depicting the 20-year-old American aviator, Gerald Nettleton, of Toledo Ohio. He was a competitor in the Junior Transcontinental Air Race, attempting to set a new junior transcontinental speed record in December 1930. Within less than 40 miles of his destination of San Diego, California, he was caught in a storm and forced to bail out of his aircraft at 10,000ft and parachute to safety. The photograph depicts Nettleton sat inside the cockpit of his aircraft and bears his facsimile signature. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse. Very good condition (a minor area of surface wear to the reverse).

Robert Esnault Pelterie Pioneer Aircraft Designer - A genuine antique real photo postcard depicting the French pioneer aeronautics designer Robert Esnault Pelterie who developed and manufactured aeroplanes and aero engines under the name REP. Published in France by EOK, Paris and likely to date from around 1910. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse with a museum collection handstamp. Very good condition.

Robert Albert Charles Esnault-Pelterie (8 November 1881 – 6 December 1957) was a French aircraft designer and spaceflight theorist. He is referred to as being one of the founders of modern rocketry and astronautics, along with the Russian Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, the Germans Hermann Oberth, Wernher von Braun and the American Robert H. Goddard. Esnault-Pelterie developed and manufactured aeroplanes and aero engines under the name REP.

1908 Wilbur Wright - A rare, genuine antique postcard entitled "Sports - Aviation - Wilburg (sic) Wright - le célèbre Aviateur" (Sports - Aviation - Wilbur Wright - the famous aviator), depicts the American pioneer aviator Wilbur Wright (one of the Wright Brothers). Published in France by E. Le Deley, Paris and likely to date from 1908. The photograph was taken in 1908 during Wilbur Wright's visit to France, during which he gave public flying demonstrations. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unposted and has an uninscribed reverse. Very good unused condition (a small chip to one corner (which does not affect the image - a museum handstamp on the reverse).

Red Hill, Hyde Hendon – London Aerodrome Sign c.1910 - A genuine antique postcard entitled “Red Hill, Hyde, Hendon” depicting the junction of Red Hill with Colindale Avenue. The image also shows signs for London Aerodrome and the London & Parisian Motors Ltd, vehicle repair works and sole agents for Hotchkiss & Delage cars. Red Hill now forms part of Edgware Road and Burnt Oak Broadway. Published by Raphael Tuck & Sons as part of their ‘Photogloss’ series and likely to date from around 1910. Standard postcard size: approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The postcard is unsent and the reverse is uninscribed. Fair/good condition (some minor wear to edges and slight creasing).

(Our ref: BD0662/100L)

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