2310

Pioneer Flight. Charming, thick bound volume

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:75.00 USD Estimated At:150.00 - 250.00 USD
Pioneer Flight. Charming, thick bound volume
Pioneer Flight. Charming, thick bound volume of L'Aeronaute, published in Paris, 1889-1906, plus one issue of 1875, 26 assorted issues in all, bound with covers and advertisements. 6 x 9, eccentrically paginated but 2" thick. Charming pictorial masthead on all, of a turbulent sky. Mid-century grey cloth, gold-stamped black spine label. Focusing first on ballooning, then including mechanized flight powered by gasoline motors. Some woodcuts, large folding plan of 1906 Exposition Internationale de Milan. Including proceedings of meetings of Société Francaise de Navigation Aérienne, scientific articles, and fascinating ads - as early as 1889 - of builders, inventors, and balloonists. "Joseph Pline, Fabricant d'appareils de navigation aérienne"; "Eugène Valès...Ascensions scientifiques, ascensions d'amateurs"; and, by 1901, "George Besancon...Exploration des hautes regions de l'Atmosphere...." A publisher's ad offers back issues; it is guessed that this gathering represented one of each issue remaining in their stock at a later date. An essential reference on the early years of human flight, this volume capturing the transition from balloons to airplanes. Waterstain at lower fore-edge but not showing internally, some light toning, else generally fine.