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Langley Aerodrome Group of (8) Photographs

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,000.00 - 2,500.00 USD
Langley Aerodrome Group of (8) Photographs

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Auction Date:2018 Dec 13 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Fantastic collection of eight vintage photographs of the 'improved' Langley Aerodrome, each approximately 6.5 x 4.75, showing images of the Glenn Curtiss team as they make structural modifications to the flying machine at Hammondsport, New York in 1914, with three photos depicting images of the Langley Aerodrome flying over or resting on the surface of Keuka Lake. The Aerodrome hopped a few feet off the surface of the water several times for no longer than five seconds at a time at Keuka Lake. Photos of a bit of daylight beneath the pontoons taken at an additional test conducted closer to shore a few days later were published by the media. In overall fine condition.

In 1914, Glenn Curtiss extensively modified the Aerodrome and made a few short flights in it as part of an unsuccessful attempt to bypass the Wright Brothers' patent on aircraft. Based on these flights, the Smithsonian displayed the Aerodrome in its museum as the first heavier-than-air manned powered aircraft ‘capable of flight.’ When Orville Wright refused to donate the original 1903 Kitty Hawk Flyer to the Smithsonian, accusing them of misrepresenting flying machine history, the Smithsonian published details of the Curtiss modifications to the Aerodrome and recanted its claims for the aircraft.