Collection Highlights
Ice cream dish
1877-1878
1980.14
Silver
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Aeronautical trophy
Object name
Aeronautical trophy
Date
1907
Medium
Silver, wood
Dimensions
Overall: 23 1/2 x 15 3/4 in. ( 59.7 x 40 cm )
Description
Cast and wrought silver aeronautical trophy in the form of a hot air balloon supported by two winged victories holding laurel wreaths above two American bald eagles on a circular base with four feet; base repouss
Credit Line
Bequest of Alan R. Hawley
Object Number
1938.250a-c
Marks
engraved: on the reverse medallion: "THE LAHM/ AERONAUTICAL CUP/ IS OFFERED BY THE/ AERO CLUB OF AMERICA/ FOR A DISTANCE CONTEST IN THE UNITED STATES OPEN TO PILOTS/ OF THE CLUB./ THIS CUP IS GIVEN TO COMMEMORATE THE/ VICTORY OF THE CLUB'S REPRESENTITIVE/ LIEUTENANT FRANK P. LAHM, U.S.A./ IN THE FIRST CONTEST FOR THE GORDON/ BENNETT INTERNATIONAL CUP, STARTING/ FROM PARIS, FRANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 1906,/ CROSSING THE ENGLISH CHANNEL AND/ LANDING AT FLYING DALES, ENGLAND./ OCTOBER 1, 1906, TRAVELING/ A DISTANCE OF 402 MILES/ AND DEFEATING FIFTEEN/ COMPETITORS." in block letters
engraved: on the plaques on the base: "CAPTAIN CHARLES DE F. CHANDLER, U.S.A./ ST. LOUIS, MO, TO WALTON, WEST VA, 473.56 MILES, OCT. 17, 1902/ A. HOLLAND FORBES./ ST. LOUIS MO, TO CHESTERFIELD CO. VA. 697.17 MILES, OCT. 12, 1909/ ALAN R. HAWLEY/ ST. LOUIS MO. TO LAKE TSITOGAMA CHICOUTIMI CO. PROVINCE OF QUEBEC, OCT. 17, 1910 1172.9 MILES."
engraved: front medallion engraved, "AERO CLUB/ AMERICA" in block letters
engraved: on small plaque apllied to the wood pedestal: "BLACK, STARR/ & FROST/ NEW YORK"
Gallery Label
On October 17, 1910, New York stockbroker Alan R. Hawley (1864-1938) departed from St. Louis, MO in a hot air balloon. When he landed in Chicoutimi County, Quebec two days later, he had piloted a distance of 1172.9 miles, and had completed the longest balloon flight in U.S. history. In honor of this feat, his name was inscribed on this trophy of the Aero Club of America . The trophy became his property when his record remained unbeaten three years later.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
