A Few Reasons You Should Book a Knabenshue Airship

Very good. Undated, but ca. 1907. Broadsheet, 11.25" x 8", printed in red and green on pink paper, illustrated. Two small holes from a pin or clip at top, old folding creases, some bleed from a typed letter visible at bottom of back side; about very good.  Not found in OCLC. Aviation engineer and inventor Roy Knabenshue (1876-1960) was the first American to pilot an airship under power, a feat he accomplished in front of a large audience, piloting Thomas Baldwin's California Arrow at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904. The following year, Knabenshue modified Baldwin's design to make his own dirigible, and he was soon exhibiting his creation at events around the United States. This rare advertising sheet aimed at fair promoters lists 15 recent appearances and promises a 100% increase in gate receipts and "the biggest fair in your history," to those who book an airship demonstration. Illustrations show Knabenshoe Airship flying over the skyscrapers of New York City and over the fairgrounds at Brockton, Massachusetts in 1906. Knabenshoe would go on to launch the world's first passenger dirigible, manage the Wright Brothers' Exhibition Team, and, in 1917, to form the Knabenshue Aircraft Corporation, manufacturer of dirigibles, kite balloons, and parachutes.

Item #23254

Price: $100.00