.39 Cubic feet (folder containing CDs digital images of 131 images)
5.62 Gigabytes (132 digital images)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Gigabytes
Born digital
Cd-roms
Copy photographs
Date:
circa 1905-1914; 1921; 1931
Summary:
Copy photographs of pre-WWI aircraft from the L'Aérophile Collection at the Library of Congress.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of copies of 140 individual photographs held in the L'Aérophile Collection within the Technical Reports, and Standards Collection of the Science, Technology, and Business Division at the Library of Congress (LC). Images depict early aviation, aircraft, and airshows primarily in France. Most of the photographs originate from French news photography agencies such as Rol, Branger, and Meurisse before World War I. Only a photograph of a Caudron C.39 Hydroaeroplane in 1921 and another of Lucien Bossoutrot in 1931 are outside this period. Also included in this collection is a series by artist Michel "Mich" Liebaux of caricatures of aviation and automobile personalities. LC loaned the original photographs to produce copy images. Items were then returned to LC.
Arrangement:
Unarranged.
Biographical / Historical:
In January 1893, the French journalist Georges Besançon (1866-1934) in collaboration with the Union Aérophile de France started to publish a monthly illustrated revue L'Aérophile. Early issues were devoted to ballooning and related subjects. As heavier-than-air craft were created, the coverage changed to include all aspects of aviation and aeronautics. While the scope of the coverage was devoted primarily to French aviators and activities, international items of interest were reported as well.
Publication of L'Aérophile stopped abruptly in August 1947. The research collection of the editorial office was put up for sale, including the photograph "morgue" and was subsequently purchased by the Library of Congress (LC). Although items were apparently removed from the collection before it reached LC, the collection still contains an estimated 30,000 photographs as well as a large amount of related material including correspondence on aeronautics, manuscripts, design details for aircraft, engines, wings, brakes, etc., and information and brochures about and from early aircraft companies, designers and pilots.
General:
In 1995, the Library of Congress (LC) loaned the Smithsonian's Office of Printing and Photographic Services a group of 9 photographs from the L'Aérophile Collection within the Technical Reports, and Standards Collection held in the Science, Technology, and Business Division for copy images. Originals were loaned to produce copy images and then returned to LC.
On September 26-27, 2001, NASM Aeronautics curator Peter Jakab and NASM Archives Specialist Melissa Keiser visited LC to review the same collection in conjunction with research for a NASM exhibit centering on the Wright 1903 Flyer. Jakab and Keiser selected 131 photographs for duplication. For each image, two negatives were created: one located within this collection and the other on file at the Smithsonian's Office of Printing and Photographic Services. There are also two duplicate sets of CDs; one set contains digital copies of the 130 images at 300 dpi, and the other set contains the copies at 600 dpi.
Provenance:
Library of Congress, Loaned to NASM for copying, 2001, NASM.2001.0066
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
