"127 JOHN J. HEYES PUBL./ NATL MILITARY HOME. // FAIRVIEW PARK PARACHUTE DROP / DAYTON, OHIO" postcard with a name & home town of the aeronaut pencilled at the top of the undivided back, album toning at the back corners, good edges. This amusement park was operated from 1896 - 1915. The young Fred J. Woodall risked his life for the princely sum of $1.25--the sum collected from the spectators after his leap--in his first ascension. The Dayton Herald of 19 Oct 1896, page 1, carries more details. Very hard to find & seldom seen. $35.00 bo(d)a NEW / NOUVEAU / NEU

"1609 / HUDSON-FULTON MEMORIAL CELEBRATION / 1909 // The 'Half Moon' and the 'Clermont' on their trip / up the Hudson river escorted by U. S. Men of War / and Balloons" the Wright flyer being unmentioned; exposition souvenir with an artist's concept of the event,  the size of a regular postcard but with blank back, good edges. The Wright plane when it actually flew that course carried a canoe in case they ditched into the water, so the artist did not get the idea quite right. The caption writer did not know what to call the aircraft & so left it unmentioned. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75.

"1912  AN OBSERVATION BALLOON OF U. S. Aerial Service, anchored to a vessel. / From this balloon the actions of the enemy under-sea boats are detected" showing a tethered balloon working from a ship, unused postcard with good edges. This is the SC-1 (Signal Corps #1) of the US Army, while being tested at Fort Myer Virginia (hence, its access to the coastal waters), and operating from the first permanent military airfield in the United States. Excessively rare, there is no record of its likes being offered anywhere else on the Internet. It is astonishing that testing of a then-new military capability from a then-new military installation would receive any publicity at all in print; we speculate that the military censors put the kibosh on this ill-considered idea rather quickly! Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged (about 771% of original print area) & enhanced 200-dpi scan in .jpg format. $2.00 bvm(a)a(m)

   
"2006.  Nasser's Air Ship, Toledo, O." post card mailed there SEP 23 1910 to Mrs. Carl Joseph in Fremont Ohio, cancel ink in the front sky, minor wear to the bottom corners, back paper starting to show its age. Nasser is sometimes seen spelled Nassr on postcards. Seldom offered; we have only seen one other in the past 20 years. $11.00 bo(t)

"2199 A CALIFORNIA HONEYMOON // COPYRIGHT 1920 / EDWARD H. MITCHELL / SAN FRANCISCO" unused postcard with evenly divided back, minor toning on back. $8.00 bmc(u) NEW / NOUVEAU / NEU

"39420 / The Dirigible Balloons of Baldwin and Tomlinson at Grant's Tomb, at the ascension during the Hudson-Fulton Celebration at New York" post card mailed SEP 7 1910 from Springfield Ohio, all corners with minor wear, small upper corner crease. More specifically, this scene was in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. Rare! Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bn(m)e

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"521 / Toledo Passenger Air-Ship, / First Successful Flight, / May 22, 1908. / Roy Knabenshue at the Helm, with / Aeronauts Chas. K. Hamilton and / Earl Hess, all of / Toledo, Ohio." postcard mailed there MAY 17 1909 to Master Floyd Wright in Helmer Indiana, published by Aldrich the Postcard Man in Toledo, trivial corner wear, very light toning on back. A recent search of the Internet found only 1 exhibit & no other offers than ours. $15.00 bo(t)g(h)

"5840  Balloon, Isle of France, 2nd Prize, Racing for the Gordon Bennett Cup." unused postcard from the Adolph Sedge Publishing Company in Saint Louis, unused. In the 1907 Gordon Bennett Balloon Race from the publisher's city, they landed at Hubertsville/Herbertsville New Jersey, garnering $1000 for their 2nd place finish. The Airpost Journal Vol XXV No. 2 (November 1953) provides many details on the competition & opines that mail was probably dropped from this & all other participants, although any such example is decidedly rare. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bpm(s)r

"5846  Hawley and Post and their Balloon 'St. Louis'" postcard mailed circa-1908 to Mrs. Peter Richards in Clinton Fall Minnesota, noticeable corner rounding, light spotty toning both sides. In the 1907 Gordon Bennett Balloon Race from the publisher's city, they landed in Carroll County Maryland good for 9th place. The Airpost Journal Vol XXV No. 2 (November 1953) provides many details about the competition & opines that mail was probably dropped from this & all other participants--although any such example is decidedly rare. $30.00 bd(l)pm(s)

"5850  Von Abercron and Heidemann and their Balloon 'Dusseldorf.'" with an unusually close-up view; post card from the Adolph Sedge Publishing Company in Saint Louis, unused. In the 1907 Gordon Bennett Balloon Race from the publisher's city, they landed at Little Creek Delaware & garnered $750 for their 3rd place. The Airpost Journal Vol XXV No. 2 (November 1953) provides many details about the competition & opines that mail was probably dropped from this & all other participants--although any such example is decidedly rare. $45.00 bd(l)pm(s)

"938 - PARIS / Panorama de la Place / de l'Etoile / preis en ballon / Altitude 700 m. / J. H. déposé" unused carte postale, a little toning near the edges due to album contact. $3.50 bf(p)

"ABOVE THE AVERAGE / F. C. Chapman & Co. / Cleveland. / 1909 August 1909" woman in photographer's balloon basket prop drawing attention to a real photo advertising post card for the seller of cheese, butter & eggs at the right prices (as we learn on back); mailed 1909 To C. Drucker in that city, oxidation consistent with age, a lot of toning in the calendar area & the back. $8.50 bco(c)g(c)  

"Across the Land, Across the Sea, / Kind messages I send to thee" post card published by Wildt & Kray in London (their Series 1085), mailed from London JA 1 1908 to Miss Emma Eloe in Buffalo New York, light toning near the front corners, tiny upper corner crease detectable from the back, other corners with minor wear. $3.00 b

"A Dirigible / No. 1" unused Cyko real photo postcard with divided back & good edges. Slight oxidation, consistent with circa-1908 to -1910 age. $10.00 b. See also "Club Grounds" below. NEW / NOUVEAU / NEU

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"Aerial Navigation at the Inter-State Fair" with a man taking a wide swing on a trapeze suspended from the circular balloon while many watch; post card with undivided back, mailed SEP 30 1909 at Reading Pennsylvania to Miss Mary Crock in Americus Kansas, bottom corner creased twice in the caption area, album marks & light album toning on both sides. Messaged in part: 'Was in Trenton yesterday, arrived just now in Reading, will attend fair today.' The fair was held in Trenton Township New Jersey. Rare. $15.00 bn(t)

   
"Aerial Navigation is thrilling and Interesting! / N. E. Fair, September 5 to 8, 1910 / Four Days--Two Nights // Capt. Baldwin just starting on one of his daily flights in Worcester, Mass" postcard mailed there to Master Ralph Williams in Barre Massachusetts from his mother, small faint upper corner crease, tiny bottom corner bend. Seldom offered. $9.00 bm(w)

   
"Agricultural Building, State Fair, Huron, S. D.  Pub. for the New York 5 and 10¢ Store." with an airship overhead; postcard mailed OCT 28 1911 from Lake Preston South Dakota to Ralph S. Wang in North Georgetown Ohio (Columbiana County added in the post), message dated a few days earlier, bottom corners creased (1 is long), soft corners. Rare: we found no others offered or exhibited when we searched the Internet. $14.00 bs(h)a

"A Happy Christmas" with maroon-coated Santa arriving on an airship toting toys; art on an embossed postcard with glittery background, printed in Germany,  minor corner rounding, tiny white spot on front is a thin, couple small spots of toning on back. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bc

   
"A happy / New Year" art showing children suspended beneath a balloon with anchor, intricately embossed postcard printed in German, Serie 175, mailed1908 from Moline Illinois to Mr. Otto Warner in Andover Illinois. Shown left. $4.50 nb. "A Happy New Year" another post card from Serie 175,  this one equipped with a shamrock propeller, mailed 1908 from New York to Mr. Joseph Ober in East Rutherford New Jersey, minor wear at the upper corners. Shown right.$4.25 nb. Both for $7.75 nb.

"A. Holland Forbes, donor of trophy, and N. H. Arnold making an ascent" writing in margins continues 'Aug. 14th 1908 - This is the balloon that won the race.' The balloon was the North Adams No. 1. The back printed touts the Massachusetts town: 'This city is not only the balloon center of the East, but is unsurpassed as a retail trading center and has excellent advantages as a place of residence and for many kinds of manufacturing. For information concerning the city address, THE MERCHANTS' ASSOCIATION, / S. McVeigh, President.  J. E. Miller, Secretary". Unused post card from the New England Printing Company in North Adams, minor wear at all corners. $16.00 bm(n)rg(f)g(a)

"AIRSHIP AT MOORING MAST OF 'PATOKA,' NEWPORT, R. I.  6044-29" unused C. T. American Art Colored postcard, minor wear to one bottom corner, otherwise fairly fresh for its 1929 age. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. br(n)s(m)

   
"Air ship built by a friend of mine here Mr. Roy Knabenshue of L. A. & Dayton Ohio 1914 / E C L" Azo (triangles all up) real photo postcard. Uncaptioned, so we used all the pencil writing on the back. Small spots of toning in the front sky, slight toning near the back edges, front oxidation consistent with the stated age. This is the year he went to Chicago & gave aerial tours of the city. $20.00 b NEW / NOUVEAU / NEU

   
"Airship (dirigible balloon) race at St. Louis / one of the events of The International Aeronautic / meet of 1907, under the auspices of the Aero / Club of St. Louis, which will manage the air / races of Centennial Week" unused official postcard of the Saint Louis Centennial Celebration (held October 3-9 1909, No. 3 published by Gould Press with copyright asserted. Listed in the Gene Bushman Collection at the Missouri State Archive, but not shown there. Seldom offered, seldom seen. $16.00 bm(s)r

"AIRSHIP / E PALESTINE / FAIR" showing it manned, nearby & above a crowd & tent; unused sepia-tone real photo post card with oxidation indicating a circa-1910 age. East Palestine is a village in Columbiana County Ohio. The name of the airship is on the side of the balloon; it may yield to magnification. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bo(e)

   
"Air Ship Flight, Willow Grove Park. / Copyright 1908 J. M.. Canfield." including its airship ride at the left, in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Unused evenly divided back postcard, asserts 'THIS IS THE ONLY OFFICIAL SOUVENIR POST CARD OF WILLOW GROVE PARK' & 'In addition to the Music and other amusements, exhibitions of various kinds are sometimes given' on its unevenly toned back. Note there is a similar postcard bearing a 1907 copyright on front; so be sure to check your albums! Seldom offered. $10.00 bp(w)a

"Air-ship going against the wind over Omaha, Neb." unused postcard with evenly-divided back, made in Germany for The Omaha News Company, album impressions at the corners, curl to the paper but no problem in any album, good edges. The only similar card we have seen had its caption left-justified; this is the only right-justified caption we have seen. $15.00 bn(o)

   
"Airship Landing, Showing Hangar, Palisade Amusement Park, N. J." postcard published by E. D. St. George Company, mailed JUL 26 1908 from Edgewater New Jersey. fairly fresh with good edges. The name of the park can also be spelled Palisades. No more, the park has given way to high-rise condominiums. $10.00 ban(p)

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"Air-ship making ascension from 'Kings Highway', Omaha Neb." unused Mezzochrome post card made in Germany, published by The Omaha News Commpany, trivial wear at one upper corner, very light album marks at the back corners. $15.00 bn(o)

     
"Airship OVER RACE TRACK, IOWA STATE FAIR // COPYRIGHT T. T. SHANNON DES MOINES" postcard mailed SEP 1908 at Nichols Iowa to Miss Mayme Schneider in Muscoda Wisconsin, minor corner wear, spotty light toning both sides. The only other example we found was unused in a historical preservation exhibit in which its age was mis-estimated. $12.00 bi(d)r

"ALLGEMEINE DEUTSCHE SPORT-AUSSTELLUNG MÜNCHEN 1899" with art (signed WO) showing an airship over the city, Bavarian 5-pfg government postal card in color, clear postal markings on back (both sending & receiving within the city), minor wear at the corners, overall impression--remarkably fresh for its age both sides. Priced well below recent auction realizations. $70.00 zbbea

"Around the Gilded Dome / Copyright by T. F. Shannon Des Moines Ia // Airship Encircling Monument / Copyright by T. F. Shannon Des Moines Ia" showing the Iowa State Capitol & the Iowa Civil War Monument; unused multiview postcard with undivided back, faint short internal crease from the top edge, very light toning both sides. Rare. $11.00 bic

"Ascension of the Max Fleischman Balloon  92. - CINCINNATI, Ohio / HANDCOLORED" unused circa-1908 post card published by the Ohio Post Card Company (asserting their copyright on the unevenly divided back), light album toning at the back corners. Seldom offered. Max was a yeast magnate who left a large estate & foundation on his death. $13.00 bo(c)g(f)h

"At LIVERPOOL / Captive-ated with the scenery" art signed JIB shows a couple floating in an improbably shaped balloon, pull-tab yields many small black & white views, accordion style: exchange & Nelson's Monument; Church Street; Sefton Park (2); Commutation Row; from Landing Stage; Landing Stage; overhead electrical railway; Ranelagh Street; Lime Street; and St. George's Hall -- all from the Dainty Series (last 3 shown). A Pocket Novelty Card of British manufacture throughout. Message written all over the divided back from a son to his mother. Rare: only one recorded sale of a similar fold-out but for Nottingham was found when we searched the Internet. $20.00 e(l)b

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"BALLOON ASCENSION AT ASBURY PARK, AUG. 12 1910, IN WHICH BENNY PRINZ LOST HIS LIFE. / BENNY PRINZ / PHOTO BY F. NEW BURGER." depicting the beginning of a disastrous double parachute drop done from about 4,000 feet; unused Cyko real photo postcard, oxidation consistent with stated age, thin strip of toning runs near the right front edge. According to the Asbury Park Press of that same day, a trapeze strap broke causing the mishap. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bn(a)dg

"Balloon Ascension at The Pines, / Groveland, Mass." post card with unevenly divided back, a little pencil writing on back '... from Grandma', minor rounding of the corners, light toning both sides. This is still a recreation area, located near the raceway (which was built much later). Seldom offered. $13.50 bm(g)

"BALLOON BUSTED / CHLUMSKY PHOTO" catching a breach in the left side as we view its silhouette, a piece of fabric near our left edge; unused circa-1910 Azo (triangles up) real photo postcard with evenly divided back, oxidation consistent with estimated age, light toning near the back edges. A good thing the balloonists did not have that happen when they were aloft! $10.00 bps NEW / NOUVEAU / NEU

"BALLON ROUTE". The short line electric railroad line with this misnomer for a name actually involved no balloon at all, just a trolley from Los Angeles to the sea & back. Still, if it interests you, be sure to see our rare listings for the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad post cards on another page.

"Balloon / Wedding / Krug Park, Omaha's Polite / Resort" circa 1906 post card, spots of light toning & a tiny pit in the front sky, approximate 1" tear at bottom closes well with faint internal creases radiating from it. Sold but still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged (about 771% of original print area) & enhanced 200-dpi scan in .jpg format. $2.00 bnu*

"Baloon(sic) House, Ft. Omaha, Nebr." with a military & civilian crowd, unused circa-1908 postcard with unevenly divided back, made in Germany, published by the Megeath Stationery Company in Omaha, tiny upper corner crease, back paper browning evenly with age. Seldom seen or offered, quite possibly because of the misspelling in the caption. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. zwm(a)a(m)n

                                    
          
"Best Wishes / for / Christmas" series of embossed art postcards printed in Germany, scenic balloon art, including holly sprigs & a US flag . Top row: Windmill scene, unused & very fresh. $5.00 bc. Second row left: Large house in winter scene, mailed 1911 to Williamstown New York, minor corner & edge wear, a few tiny spots of toning at the back edges. $4.00 bc. Second row right: Church & nearby houses scene, very lightly written message in English over all the back, good edges. $4.50 bc. Take all 3 and save: $12.25. bc

"BIG BEAR / balloon festival / Beulah Park / JUNE 22, 23, 24 2001" publicity card with same color image both sides, little smaller than a regular post card, fresh appearance. (2 available) $1.00 each

   
"Brockton Fair, Brockton, Mass." an obviously contrived view on a postcard printed in Germany for publisher F. W. Glasier, mailed OCT 3 1908 at Brockton (complete Flag 1 cancel) to Miss H. I. Macdonald in Boston Massachusetts, minor corner wear & rounding, light toning near the back edges. $10.00 bm(b) NEW / NOUVEAU / NEU

"Captain Baldwin's Airship. Dutchess County Fair.  Compliments of the Poughkeepsie Eagle" unused post card with unevenly divided back (circa-1908), 2 corners creased, toning at top back edge possibly from the printing process itself. $12.00 bn(p)

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"C. Dixon The Youngest Aviator / With His Mother and Sister / Copyright by Aram, Boston." unused postcard, very little toning both sides, good edges.  Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bfm

"Central Maine Fair. / 1908." held at Waterville; Cyko real photo with "Strobel Airship' pencilled in lightly on back (which is correct, but probably erasable if it bothers you), good edges, oxidation consistent with captioned age. Rare. $20.00 bm(w)

"Club Grounds" unused Cyko real photo postcard with divided back & good edges. Slight oxidation & back paper browning, consistent with circa-1908 to -1910 age. $10.00 b. See also "A Dirigible" above. NEW / NOUVEAU / NEU

"Come Home! We will have six City blocks of street carnival. Also Motor Boat races. // Come Home! We will have giant baloon(sic) and double parachute drop. // Parkersburg Centennial and Home Coming / Parkersburg W. Va. September 8th - 10, 1910" post card mailed there SEP 7 1910 (flag cancel) to Miss Carrie Courtney in Beloit Ohio, odd toning near the bottom back edge looks like balloon shading from another card. Rare, possibly because of the misspelling. $18.50 bw(p)r

"CONQUEROR / NEW YORK" uncaptioned (so we use all the lettering showing on the balloon) & unused circa-1908 sepia-tone Azo (triangles up) real photo postcard, album toning on back. Later in the Gordon Bennett Race in Berlin, it ripped open & fell over 4700 feet, crashing through a house roof in Friedenau; fortunately the occupants were unharmed, because the balloon remains in the netting became a sort of parachute on the way down! $20.00 bgd

"COPYRIGHTED BY M. RIEDER 1905 // When I invent this air-ship true / I'm coming over after you / And we'll fly round the world together / That is providing it's pleasant weather." with signed WEB fantasy art depicting a couple riding in a bicycle-built-for-two gondola of an improbable balloon; unused undivided back postcard on brownish paper, slight rounding at the corners. Rare. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bpmfa

"COPYRIGHT PICTORIAL NEWS CO. / AIRSHIP 'AMERICA' / JUST BEFORE LAUNCHING LIFE BOAT AFTER TRAVELING 1008 MILES IN 72 HOURS / DESIGNED BY MELVIN VANIMAN, AERONAUTICAL ENGINEER" unused postcard with undivided back, light album toning at the corners, otherwise fairly fresh & decidedly rare. This was Vaniman's first Trans-Atlantic crossing attempt; he died on the second one in July 1912. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bg(v)l

   
"Coshocton's Air Ship / Siegrist & Williams Druggists / Coshocton, O." post card from United Art Publishing Company in New York, mailed DEC 6 1907 from Coshocton to Miss Bessie V. Grant in Wheeling West Virginia, traces of cancel ink & a little toning in the front sky, minor corner wear. Seldom offered. Sold but both sides still available for scholarly study & research as enlarged 300-dpi scans (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75 either or $7.25 both. bo(c)p

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"CROMWELL DIXON AND HIS SKI-CYCLE / YOUNGEST INVENTOR AND AERONAUT IN THE WORLD--AGE 14 YEARS." postcard with undivided back mailed at Columbus JUL 31 1907 to Miss Verna Miller in Athens Ohio (where it was received the same day), light album marks at the back corners, paper browning with age both sides. Message on front from Earle to his mother & sister reads in part: '...This is a picture of the young aeronaut at Olentangy...' meaning Olentangy Park in Columbus Ohio. Attribution to the photographer within the front image: 'Photo By / Moon'. Rare: a recent search of the Internet found no other offers & not even an exhibit. Sold but both sides still available for scholarly study & research as enlarged 300-dpi scans (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75 either or $7.25 both. bo(c)g(m)

"CROMWELL DIXON / Youngest Inventor and Aeronaut in the World--Age 14 years" unused unevenly divided back, imprint at left back edge reads: 'Olentangy Park,' / Columbus, Ohio. Front is very lightly & unevenly toned with one brighter white spot in the left margin which obscures nothing. Back is lightly & unevenly toned with a few light spots apparently paste residue; they obscure a couple of letters in the stamp box. A recent Internet search found no other offers & only one exhibit by a collector. $50.00 bo(c)

   
"C. T. S. Souvenir Card / Air Ship about to / ascend" at the 1908 West Virginia Fair; real photo postcard mailed there NOV 27 1908 to Miss Mary Davison in Chambersburg Pennsylvania, minor corner rounding, white spots on back suggest some of message whited out. . Messaged: "This ship is Knabenshue's, you have hear of him. the ascent was very pretty.' C.T.S. refers to the type of card from the publisher. $15.00 bw(w) NEW / NOUVEAU / NEU

"Curtiss Flying His Airship" 28 June 1907, trailing an extremely rare 5x8 40-star US flag (unofficially correct after the Dakotas were both admitted to the Union in 1889, out of date less than a week later when Montana came in); sepia-tone Cyko real photo postcard with evenly divided back, made by H. M. Benner in Hammondsport New York. Pertinent writing over most of the back: 'This is the air-ship that Baldwin had here last summer and made a flight with. I think you must have seen it in the paper You have the Herald do you not? Another party here [name hard to read] is making one and it takes 800 yds of silk - this cost just one thousand dollars $1.25 a yard', oxidation consistent with 1908 age, trivial corner wear. The National Air & Space Museum write-up of its similar postcard does not notice nor attempt to explain the unusual flag. Very simply, Curtiss was well aware of the flag's rarity & the showman wanted to make his appearance all the more memorable! Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bfn(h)

   
"DALLAS AIRSHIP  CALGARY" passing over a large building, a horse-drawn wagon & a couple of pedestrians nearby, long banner at the right reads 'LOCAL OPTION BEER / HARMONIE Ltd'; sepia-tone real photo postcard mailed JUL 14 08at Calgary Alberta (cancel missed stamp) to Mr. Roger Hardy in Allendale Nova Scotia (21 JUL 08 receiving mark finally cancel the stamp). At the time 'local option beer' was made by several breweries in Canada; it had approximately 1.6% alcohol (much lower than the common 3%) & thus could be sold as a temperance drink or temperance beverage!  Rare. Sold but both sides still available for scholarly study & research as enlarged 300-dpi scans (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75 either or $7.25 both. ba(c)b

"Das gestörte Picknick" meaning 'the disturbed picnic', balloonists release ballast to ruin the activity below; unused circa-1910 (we saw one cancelled) comic Postkarte with signed Thiele art, minor corner wear & rounding, light album marks at the back corners. $15.00 ba(t) NEW / NOUVEAU / NEU

   
"Dear Bro John / this is the 4th of July sene / Your Sister Leana" at the Kay County Fairgrounds off Main Street; sepia-tone real photo post card mailed SEP 25 1906 at Blackwell Oklahoma Territory to Mr. John Davis in Shawnee Oklahoma Territory (complete flag 1 receiving mark the next day), corners a bit worn & rounded, toned both sides. Probably one of a kind: no printed caption, no photographer or publisher attribution either. $15.00 bo(b)g(d)f

"Dear / I was rather / worried" with signed René Bull art depicting an improbable aeronaut, unused circa-1908 postcard with unevenly divided back from The Ellandbee 'Humorous' Series (no. 128, designed in England & chromographed in Belgium for Landeker & Brown in London, small bottom corner bend, toning is very light. The work of this Irish- born then-English illustrator is more often seen in newspapers & magazines of his time. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. a(b)b

"DETROIT" 2 men suspended from a  photographer's prop balloon; unused Azo (triangles up) real photo postcard, uneven cut to the bottom & left front edges. $3.00 bm(d)

"DONT FAIL TO VISIT / C. H. DAVIDSON'S / 22 WEST WASH. ST. / THEY SAVE ... MONEY / FURNITURE HARDWARE / STOVES RUGS GUNS / PHOENIX" uncaptioned (so we use most of the advertising sign on the balloon basket) real photo post card mailed NOV 13 1910 at Phoenix Arizona Territory (complete flag cancel) to Mr. Isaac (Ike) Miles in Eaton Ohio by his brother, unfortunate heavy toning on both sides. Message in part: 'I was at the fair to-day went up in the balloon, went 1500 ft high had a fine trip and a good view of the country...' Rare. Sold but both sides still available for scholarly study & research as enlarged 300-dpi scans (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75 either or $7.25 both. ba(p)fgg(m)

"Durstige Grüsse aus Frankfurt a./M." man suspended on a beer-barrel balloon send 'thirsty greetings', image of a tram near the Hauptwache Plaza; post card with undivided back mailed there 26.7.06 to Mr. John Bernard in Brooklyn New York, lower corner bend, whitish abraision over Postkarte on back, noticeable toning both sides. $5.00 bbgg

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"EVERYONE LOOKS UP TO YOU" with signed P. D. Sullivan art on a postcard with undivided back, mailed MAR 17 1907 from Canode New Mexico Territory to Fred G. Avery in Ada Ohio. P The cancel from a discontinued post office, a little light, is rarity 5 according to our La Posta. $18.00 ab-n

"F. Doubek.  Tausend Grüsse!" signed art on a circa-1904 Postkarte from Ackermann in Munich, trivial light toning in a couple of spots, but overall excellent condition. Such Bavarian imagery has evolved greatly from the original 13th-century city coat of arms which depicted a male monk in similar robes with a cross in front. $10.00 bba(d)

   
"First Airship at Vancouver, Wash." showing the balloon 'GELATINE'; post card with unevenly divided back made in Germany for publisher M. Rieder in Los Angeles, mailed at Vancouver MAR 8 1907 to Mrs. C. F. Tigard in Beaverton Oregon, sender commenting that the scene was from: 'the summer before last. It landed in the garrison grounds.' Two small dark spots of toning at the top front edge, otherwise fairly fresh. The airship publicized the Knox Gelatine Company at the Portland Exhibition in 1905. There is a black & white version of this postcard. $15.00 bw(v)e

   
"FIRST SUCCESSFUL FLIGHT OF AIR SHIP, KNABENSHUE, KING OF THE AIR, IN FLIGHT / FROM FAIR GROUNDS TO THE TOP OF THE SPITZER BLDG. JUNE 28, 1905, TOLEDO, O." postcard with unevenly divided back, made in Germany for J. G. Boutelle, mailed JUN 12 1908 from Toledo Ohio to Miss Iva Baxter in Lima Ohio, minor corner wear, album toning to the back paper, small shallow thin on back obscures nothing. No mean feat, airship landings on buildings are known to have happened only 6 times. Rare. $15.00 bo(t)

"FLOYD WALLACE AND THE CAPTIVE BALLOON / Which escaped Sept. 20th, at the Oneonta, (N. Y.) Fair, carrying him 30 miles through the air to Summit. In his hand is the knife with which he cut the balloon, climbing the ropes above the basked to accomplish the feat, allowing the gas to escape. // PUBLISHED BY GEO. REYNOLDS & SON, ONEONTA, N. Y." postcard mailed at Oneonta NOV 13 1905 to Ed Rappleyea in Prattsville New York, extensive but light toning both sides probably from album contact. We have seen very fanciful prices on other offers--even over $100.00--but believe that $12.00 is reasonable. bn(o)kg NEW / NOUVEAU / NEU

"FLYING HIGH / IN KANSAS CITY" with 3 well-dressed ladies in a prop gondola, balloon & zeppelin in the background; unused sepia-tone Azo (triangles up) real photo post card, minor corner rounding, very light toning both sides. Obviously a studio situation, the photographer's identity is not revealed. $3.75 b

"FLYING HIGH IN MARION" 3 women posed in a photographer's prop balloon basket over a view of the small town; unused circa-1910 Azo (triangles all up) real photo postcard with photographer's offer on back along the message side--'12 duplicates of this photograph will be mailed postpaid to any address by sending this picture (which will be returned) and 55 cts. in stamps to Clayton's Studio, LEE'S SUMMIT, MO.' Small spots of light toning near the back edges, good edges. Lee's Summit is within Jackson & Cass Counties of Missouri. Rare. $15.00 m(m)b

MOUNT GILEAD (MORROW COUNTY). "FLYING HIGH AT Mt GILEAD FAIR" 2 women & a girl in a photographer's prop balloon shown over an actual street scene; real photo post card mailed OCT 24 1912 at Mount Gilead to Mrs. Daisy Rose Fowler in Columbus Ohio by her niece Loree, fairly fresh with good edges. Rare. $15.00 o(m)bg(f)

"Forest Park, St. Louis, Mo. / BALLOON AND AIRSHIP CONTESTS / CENTENNIAL WEEK / Saint Louis" post card mailed August 17 1910 from Saint Louis, faint lower corner crease, a little toning near the edges of both sides. Rare. $15.00 a(p)bm(s) NEW / NEU / NOUVEAU

"Greetings / from / Irving / Illinois" in glitter added to a postcard with fanciful art depicting an airship made mostly of violets, addressed & messaged to Miss Estella Matkins in Fillmore Illinois but unmailed, minor wear to the bottom corners, some of the glitter rubbed off. Interesting message from ailing writer--'I went to Nokomis two weeks to Mrs. Rungg's to take treatment from the Osteopath and now go to Hillsboro when I am able...' The Hillsboro DO was John J. Pleak, who visited Nokomis once a week. Hillsboro, Irving & Nokomis are all in Montgomery County. $8.00 i(i)mgb

"Gruss aus Göppingen / Gesetzlich geschützt" Postkarte published by R. Bernheimer in Göppingen,  undivided back mailed at Goppingen 22 OKT 06 to Miss Paulina Schäfer in Chicago Illinois, pencil address smearing, album toning at the back corners. $8.00 bgg

"Gruss aus Wien" with a view of the city within an embossed balloon; Postkarte with undivided back mailed to George Eaton Bird in Madison Wisconsin, clumsy stamp removal by a certifiable imbecile causes a shallow rectangular thin on back, 'Mama & Papa' signed within the balloon on front (permissible writing then). $7.00 ba(w)g

"High Life In The West / I HEARD PIKE'S PEAK ABOUT IT // COPYRIGHT 1908 By H. H. Tammen Denver" dancing girl parachutes from a balloon giving the rocks below a good peek upward; unused & embossed  'Summit of Pike's Peak Official Postcard' as we learn on the back, exceptionally fresh for its age. Shown at the History Colorado website, but seldom offered. $10.00 bc(p)

   
"Hotel Johnson / Red Oak, Ia. 5195 // Airship to and / from all Trains" including passengers on the roof, unused black & white post card with sky tint, back paper browning with age. Unusual and rare: there are only 6 known instances of airships landing on buildings. Shown left. $50.00 bui. The colorized version of the same postcard with different proportions, unused, upper corner crease, faint vertical crease from top to bottom, minor corner rounding, unevenly toned back. As is. Shown right. $16.00 bui

QUANTITY IN STOCK IS ONE EACH UNLESS NOTED.

"Hudson-Fulton / 1809 - 1909 / Celebration" with embossed art depicting a Puritan gazing at an overhead balloon; postcard mailed AUG 18 1909 at Brooklyn New York Station B to Miss Margaret Quackenboss in Canaan Four Corners New York, long upper corner crease, light toning near the upper right front corner. Seldom offered or exhibited. $4.75 eb

"I DROPPED OFF AT OTTAWA / Copyright. The Allets Mfg. Co., Ottawa". Left: silhouette art depicts a salesman with sample case descending from a balloon, breaking his fall with an umbrella; postcard addressed & messaged in French, dated 9 Janvier 1906, small lighter shallow scrapes in the front sky, paper browning with age. $5.00 bou. Right: same caption, lady descends with umbrella breaking her fall; post card with undivided back, light toning both sides, better ageing of the paper. $9.00 bou. Both hard-to-find for $12.75. bou

"I'll come if I can." hapless balloonist hangs by his coat on an anchor; signed Pirkis art on a comic post card mailed JUL 5 1906 at McKean Pennsylvania to Orrie Greenman in Northeast PA (where it arrived the same day), Erie Pennsylvania transit cancel misplaced on front, noticeable spotty toning on  both sides. $5.00 ba(p)

"I love a Balloon, but O / you Aeroplane" postcard mailed OCT 2 1912 at Bridgeville Pennsylvania to Mr. R. F. Means in Northfield Ohio, minor corner wear, very light toning both sides. $3.75 b

"I am in a regular fix" depicting a hapless balloonist hanging by the seat of his pants from an anchor; signed Lance Thackeray art on a Tuck Write Away Series 1275 postcard chromographed in Saxony, unevenly divided back (circa-1908), album toning at back corners, minor wear at the bottom corners. $6.00 ba(t)t

"KNABENSHUE AIR SHIP, HARTFORD, CONN., DECORATION DAY, 1907  No. 3 / Published by E. F. Haworth, Hartford, Conn." with a large well-dressed crowd milling about it; black & white postcard mailed there June 14 1907 to Canada, traces of cancel ink on front, minor wear to the corners, light toning near the top front edge. This is an early flight of aeronaut A. Roy Knabenshue, who began his exhibitions in 1906, and was later hired by the Wright Brothers. Later the passenger-carrying airship was renamed the White City. $19.00 bcm

"KNABENSHUE AND HIS AIR SHIP / THE FRANKLIN, TOLEDO" unused post card with undivided back, minor wear to 3 corners, otherwise fairly fresh. We have seen another example canceled in 1905. $12.00 bo(t)

   
"KNABENSHUE AND HIS / AIR SHIP / THE FRANKLIN, TOLEDO" as close-up as you are likely to see it; postcard with undivided back mailed NOV 14 1905 at Toledo to Miss Mabel Rider in cedar Rapids Iowa, corner wear & rounding noticeable from the front. Looks like the Wikipedia image to us! Seldom offered. $10.00 bo(t)

   
"Knabenshue in his Airship, Greenville, O. / Drake(sic) Co. Fair, 1907" postcard mailed there DEC 23 1907 to Dr. Cecil George at the Columbus State Hospital, violet handstamp on back reads 'Published by / BRENNEMAN / Greenville Ohio.' Small upper corner bend, other corner wear is trivial. The appearance at the Great Darke County Fair was described in the July 25 1907 Greenville Journal. Rare. Sold but both sides still available for scholarly study & research as enlarged 300-dpi scans (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75 either or $7.25 both. bo(t)

"Knabenshue leaving Spitzer Building on his return trip June 30, 1905" showing the airship 'Toledo No. 1'; unused postcard with undivided back, fairly fresh with good edges. This Toledo Ohio scene was from one of 6 known instances of an airship landing on any building. $15.00 bo(t)

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"Knabenshue's Airship at Brockton Fair, 1906.  Photo by D. T. Burrell." post card with good edges. Many postcards were issued for this appearance, but this one is hard to find. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bm(b)p

   
"KNABENSHUE'S AIRSHIP Descending at Ohio State Fair Grounds" postcard designed, printed & sold by Clyde W. Hurst & Co. in Columbus Ohio, mailed SEP 30 1908 at Steubenville Ohio to Master Robert Fisher in the same town, small dark spot in message area, other back & front toning is quite light. Rare. $15.00 bo(c)

"KNABENSHUE'S PASSENGER AIR SHIP" showing the 'White City', the first passenger dirigible in America; unused  postcard with evenly divided back. We have seen the age of this post card incorrectly estimated as 1913, but we have seen another example postmarked 1908; so we disagree. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. b

   
"K. V. i. B. 12. / Serie 1705" with fantasy art depicting multiple babies within & suspended from 3 balloons; unused circa 1908 postcard, slight curling inward of the paper from its edges (no problem), lightly toned divided back. Shown left. $10.00 bf. Same series, slight curling inward of the paper from its edges (no problem), post card mailed 4 Aout 08 from Roan-Coo Belgium (stamp removed), long upper corner crease, small lower corner crease. Shown right. $8.50 bf. Both for $17.25 bf.

"Life Saver ... [very hard to read 2-line caption]" sepia-tone real photo postcard mailed DEC 6 1911 at Newton Mississippi to Mrs. J. N. Flindt in Davenport Iowa by her son Emil who wrote: 'Moma, This is a picture of the balloon we have with the show...". Small bottom corner crease tiny upper corner bend. $12.00 bm(n) NEW / NOUVEAU / NEU

"Looking Over / Hot Springs" with couple posed within a photographer's prop balloon drawing, postcard mailed at Hot Springs with 1910 flag cancel, unfortunately the state abbreviation cannot be read--so it could be Hot Springs Arkansas, California, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, or even Washington! Minor corner wear & softening, stain mostly withing the right front edge. $5.00 b

"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL" airship bearing Santa & toys floats over a winter scene; signed Beaty art on a post card with undivided back, mailed DEC 24 1907 at Chicago Illinois to Mr. & Mrs. Benerle in the same city, album impressions at all corners, noticeable wear at the bottom corners. $4.50 bca(b)

"McPHEETERS / PHOTO" a couple within their prop balloon, the man pointing out a local cigar store per the writing at the bottom; unused Artura real photo postcard with lightly toned back. $4.00 bpg

"Moosehead Lake, Me.  Flying at Mt. Kineo" showing a piloted airship carrying 4 passengers over the water; unused postcard made in Germany, published by Kineo Company (their number 33840), tiny spot of light toning near the stamp box, otherwise fairly fresh. Seldom offered. $11.00 bm(m)

FIXED PRICES - NO INCONVENIENT AUCTION DEADLINES!

   
"N. ADAMS MASS." with people surrounding a large balloon; sepia-tone real photo postcard mailed there JUN 13 1908 (flag cancel) to Miss Della Bliss in Orange Massachusetts. This Massachusetts club gave ballooning 2 of its who's whos: F. H. White, sport balloonist & William Fitzhugh Whitehouse. Rare. $20.00 bm(n)

"North Adams Balloon Days, March - 1908" showing the 'North Adams No. 1' balloon; unused Azo (triangles all up) post card with album toning on back & good edges. This Massachusetts club gave ballooning 2 of its who's who: F. H. white, sport balloonist & William Fitzhugh Whitehouse. Rare. $20.00 bm(n)

"Oct. 31st .. / All Hallowe'en Greetings" pumpkin-faced balloon floats witch aloft; embossed post card mailed October 31 1909 at Newark New Jersey to Mrs. Frank Bond in Port Jervis New York, printed in Saxony, numbered 914 on back, minor corner wear & rounding. Hart to find! $18.00 hb

   
"OHIO VALLEY EXPOSITION" Cyko real photo postcard with evenly divided back, caption handstamped in violet at a slight tilt to the top right front edge, partial strike '... ARCADE, CINCINNATI' in same color of violet along the message edge, writing over most of the back 'View on the Miami-Erie Canal where the air ship is kept, Aug 29th to Sept 24th 1910', oxidation consistent with stated age, good edges. One end of the airship is visible in its tented hangar. Rare. $30.00 bo(c)e

"Olcott Beach" as a couple poses in a photographer's prop to commemorate their visit to the New York amusement park; unused Azo (triangles up) sepia-tone real photo postcard with good edges & not much oxidation for its circa-1910 age. From the days of the Luna Amusement Park there. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. n(o)ab

"Passed over town in my / air ship. Below was not in sight when I took this. / Hal P. Smith // MANISTEE" with a panoramic view of the Michigan town; sepia-tone real photo post card mailed JAN 25 1906 (ink spot in dial of flag cancel) to Richard Warner Jr. of Grand Rapids Michigan (arrival mark the same day is clear on back), a little toning on the back, same identical handwriting & ink both sides. This aeronaut was tasked with controlling his aircraft and with controlling his camera. His written comment essentially tells us that his camera was being controlled remotely (by some undisclosed device). He necessarily focused his attention on the controls for his safety, rather than on the sights he could have seen below. Rare, interesting, and of historic importance. Consider: (1) The first aerial photo from a airplane was taken in 1909 by Wilbur Wright at Centrocelli Italy; (2) George Lawrence's 1906 panoramic photo of San Francisco ruined by an earthquake is literally famous. The photo Smith took obviously excited enough local interest to have a real photo postcard published with the indicated caption added at the lower right of the image. But it is his handwritten explanation that is most interesting. When one does something truly difficult, it is human nature to explain it, so that others understand how really difficult the task was. Look at how clear his writing is & his bold signature; he wants the viewer to know how proud he was of the planned photo & and how difficult it was to obtain it. $180.00 zpm

   
"PAU -- Fêtes Aérostatiques  I. CALLIZO phot" real photo postcard mailed there 2 -2 )& to Mrs. E. Speakman in Woodbury New Jersey. Message in front sky reads 'One ballon(sic) had already started, there were seven.' Rare, as are any postcards showing the celebration itself, rather than the publicity leading up to it. $25.00 bf(p)

"Philadelphia, Pa. and Schuylkill River taken from Ballon 1 Mile high. / © W. N. JENNINGS" circa 1910-1912 postcard, a little pencil writing on back may not erase well, mild wear to the upped edge. $10.00 bp(p)p(s)

"Photo Art Prints for Framing or Mailing / Adirondack Balloon Festival / Glens Falls, NY" color continental postcard in excellent condition, copyrighted Dean Color. $1.50 bn

"Photo Art Prints for Framing of Mailing / ADIRONDACK HOT AIR / BALLOON FESTIVAL / GLENS FALLS, N.Y." color continental postcard in excellent condition, copyrighted Dean Color. $1.50 bn

"Picking Oranges in California. / AS SEEN ON THE BALLOON ROUTE / EXCURSION" post card with unevenly divided back mailed 1907 from Playa Del Ray California to Mrs. Frank Sackey in Richmond Indiana, 2 corners creased, mild corner & edge wear. $3.25 abc(u)

ALWAYS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER - SAVES YOU TIME!

"'Ready for the Race' Indianapolis, Indiana." showing 8 of the 9 gas-filled balloons entered in their in the first event-competition ever to be held at the Indianapolis Speedway on June 5 1909; unused post card published by the Indiana News Company, made in Germany, good edges. Also notable because the event caused the first traffic jam at the facility. The winner went some 382 miles to Alabama. Rare: we did not find it offered elsewhere or even exhibited when we searched the Internet. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bri(i)

"ROYAL ENGINEERS, BALLOON SECTION, / PREPARING FOR AN ASCENT WITH / BALLOON 10,000 FEET CAPACITY / Copyright" their crest below the caption; unused postcard from the Star Series of G. D. & D. London, minor wear & corner rounding, spotty toning on back mostly near the top edge. $5.00 bm(g)h

   
"ROY KNABENSHUE FLYING 6/9 08 / PUB. BY S. H. KNOX & Co." real photo postcard mailed SEP 18 1908 at Station A of Toledo, writer commenting 'this air-ship is right near our house, and we see it almost every day.' Small bottom corner creases, minor corner wear at the top, slight oxidation consistent with age, light toning near the back edges, attribution on front runs off the bottom edge. Rare. $17.50 bo(t)

   
"ROY KNABENSHUE READY TO START / COLLINGWOOD AVE. TOLEDO, O. / PUB. BY S. H. KNOX & Co." real photo postcard mailed OCT 10 1908 from Station A in Toledo, heavy toning on back obscures nothing. Sender asked: 'Do you think you will ever sail in this?' Good edges, slight oxidation consistent with age. When searching the Internet recently we found one gallery exhibit, but no other offers. $15.00 bo(t)

"ROY KNABENSHUE'S AIR-SHIP / Will make daily flights during / THE GREAT DARKE COUNTY FAIR / AUGUST 26 - 27 -28 - 29 & 30 1907 // Don't forget the date; And meet me there sure!" post card published by the Wm. H. Williams Company in Greenville, mailed at Greenville AUG 24 1907, mentions 'the big pumpkin show next week'. Its appearance at the Great Darke County Fair was described in the July 25 1907 Greenville Journal. Rare. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bo(g)o(t)

"Ruins Strobel Airship  N. C. Fair '08" unused Azo (triangles all up) real photo postcard, trivial corner wear, very light fingerprint toning at a couple places on back. The 48th North Carolina State Fair was held October 12-17 1908; an ad placed by the North Carolina Agricultural Society in Raleigh included the phrase 'See Strobel's Air Ship Mounting the Clouds'. Rare. $80.00 bn(r)d

   
"Scene during Balloon Races at the Speedway, Indianapolis, Ind." showing 5 gas-filled airships; postcard mailed at Stockwell Indiana MAY 6 1912 to Mrs. Ellen Peters in Muscoda Wisconsin by her niece Grace, mild corner & edge wear. Such events were popular from the opening there in 1909. $12.00 bi(i)r

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    See also our Balloon topical covers.

See also our extensive Zeppelin postcards.

                               
                               
Serie 478 postcards made in Germany showing lovers fancifully suspended beneath a balloon. Upper left: no caption, unused, minor corner rounding, very light toning at the stamp box. $8.00 bl. Upper right: no caption, unused, minor corner rounding, very lightly toned back. $8.00 bl. Lower left: "Such a happy pair are we, / Off together on a spree." long lower corner crease, mailed MAY 13 1910 at Archer Iowa (clear 5PM cancel) to Miss Martha Shinkle in Gaza Iowa (light receiving mark the same day!), light toning near 2 back edges. $7.50 bl. Lower right: "Wave a happy holiday, / To those who pass by our way." mailed NOV 24 1909 to Miss Rose Marx in Chicago Illinois, mild corner & edge wear, unevenly toned back. $7.00 bl. Take all 4 for $26.75 bl.

              
              
Serie 8600: six fanciful & imaginative postcards shown above, all embossed & printed in Germany. Left-to-right & top-to-bottom: "How do, old boy! / Didn't expect me yet awhile, did you?" unused, tiny upper corner crease, toned back. "An afternoon's sail.", mailed 11 MAY 1909 to Miss Ruth Springer in Cornell Illinois, album toning along bottom back edge. "The very latest in motor-cars.", mailed at Boyertown Pennsylvania to Mahon Hoffman in Niantic Pennsylvania, by C. G. Markley jeweler in Boyertown (handstamp in message area, good edges. "Every man his own navigator!", good edges, toning in address area. "A short spin before breakfast!" good edges, small violet UNICO handstamp above message area. "Plus de rochers sournois vous guettant au passage / On peut voguer bien loin sans crainte du naufrage." in French meaning ""More insidious rocks await you in passing / can sail far without fear of shipwreck.", mailed 1AVRIL 1911 at Temploux Belgium to another in that country, good edges. Your choice $20.00 each for 1 or 2. $18.00 each for 3 or more. b

NOUS ACCEPTONS DES PAIEMENT EN EUROS !

              
Series No. 8000, printed in Germany, divided back embossed post cards: Left: "Many a wish for / your future good, Many a Greeting bright... / Easter Greeting" with several chicks ascending into a balloon gondola, mailed 1911, tiny upper corner bend, minor bottom corner wear. $4.50 be. Center: "May happiness / attend thy way, /This Easter-time, and with you stay. / Best Easter wishes, mailed MAR 29 1911 at Gloversville New York to Miss Helen Winnie in Vails Mills New York, good edges. $5.00 be. Right: "May happiness / attend thy way, / This Easter-time, / and with you stay. / A Happy Easter" with several chicks descending from a balloon gondola, messaged 1911, a little toning shows in the upper right front border. $4.50 be. Take all three for $11.75. be

"Stargazer / Project Stargazer was established in Ja. 1959 for high altitude / astronomical investigation from above 95 percent of the earth's at- / mosphere." showing the balloon's gondola now on display at the Air Force Museum, unused chrome-era postcard in excellent condition. $1.00 bma

"Strobel Air Ship / Voltz" at Waterville Maine (which we know because that information was later added to the caption of other postcards bearing the exact same image). Unused sepia-tone Azo (triangles all up) real photo post card in excellent condition. This variant of the card is rare & you will not find any variant of it in better condition. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bm(w)

"STROBEL'S AIRSHIP  AERONAUT FRANK W. GOODALE" unused circa-1910 post card with evenly divided back, heavy album toning at the front corners & most of the back. $12.00 bg(g)

"STROBEL'S AIRSHIP  AERONAUT FRANK W. GOODALE" postcard mailed FEB 8 1911 from Coopersville Michigan to Mrs. D. C. Foreman at Leroy Michigan, album marks at the front corners. $14.00 bg(g)

"TAKE A TRIP WITH ME IN THE AIRSHIP AT THE 'BANNER FAIR' / CELINA, O., AUG., 16-19th" postcard mailed AUG 3 1910 to Zelma Springer in Van Wert Ohio by her cousin. This is a Strobel airship. The name Stanley Vaughn is written neatly on the back in pencil, correctly identifying the aeronaut. $12.00 bo(c)g(s)

   
"The Air Ship Passing Over Administration Building, State Fair Grounds" unused souvenir postcard for visitors of The Columbus Dispatch Building in 1906, undivided back, small bottom corner crease, very faint album toning at its corners. $8.00 bo(c)

"The 'California Arrow' / Capt. Thomas S. Baldwin, / 250th Anniversary Celebration, / Norwich, Conn. / July 5th and 6th 1909" postcard mailed NOV 12 1909 from Norwich, minor wear at one upper corner, very lightly toned back. $8.00 bc(n)

"The Falling Airship 'Akron'  H. B. SMITH ©" its remains plummeting to water carrying all 5 people aboard (including the inventor & photographer Chester Melvin Vaniman) to their deaths from an altitude of 750 meters; NOKO real photo postcard with mourning border surrounding the image. The place is near Atlantic City New Jersey, the effort was a second attempt at a trans-Atlantic crossing & the date 2 July 1912. Internal pressure split the bag containing the hydrogen gas which then escaped & exploded. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bdn(a)pp

FRAME A POSTCARD AND YOU MAKE A GIFT!

   
"THE FAMOUS STROBEL AIRSHIP which won First Prize at the International Race at St. Louis on / Oct. 24,11907(sic), will be one of the Special Attractions at the Great Cambridge Fair, Aug. 31, Sept. 1, 2 , 3, 4, 1908 // Flights will be made on Tuesday, Wednesday, / Thursday and Friday." postcard mailed 1908 in New York State to Miss Dorothy Webster in Schuylerville New York. Back printing reads: 'Meet me near the Air Ship at the Cambridge Fair. It will be there this time.' This message implies that the first time (in 1907 at Cambridge in Lamoille County Vermont) it was not there! A big deal for such a small village & such a small county! $15.00 bv(c)

"THE FLYING MACHINE. -- EARL'S COURT 1904 / Copyright, J. J. Keliher & CO., Limited, London, S. E." post card mailed 1904 at Earl's Court to Miss Evie Gould in Clapham S. W., messaged in part 'We have just been in the Flying Machine (Bird & I) How would you like to? It was jolly fine. Dad & Ma wouldn't come.' Minor corner roudning, light toning on both sides. $10.00 be(e)a

♫The daring young man on the flying trapeze.♫ Uncaptioned (so we made up our own for this unusual sight) NOKO (nothing in corners) real photo postcard with unevenly divided back, oxidation consistent with circa-1908 age. Seriously folks: don't try this at home unless your life insurance is paid up! $12.00 be

"The highest expectations for Hallowe'en // Painting only copyrighted by S. Garre 1909" with a fanciful pumpkin-shaped balloon; embossed post card mailed OCT 30 1909 from New Holland Ohio to Miss Mildred Barnes in Sabina Ohio, minor edge wear. $19.00 hb

"The Kids from Greensburg Kansas" with fantasy art showing multiple babies suspended from a balloon, unevenly divided back post card mailed circa-1907 from Greensburg,upper corner crease. Printed in Germany by K. V. i. B. 12, Serie 1525 for the United Art Publishing Company of New York City. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. k(g)bf

"THE MONTGOLFIER BALLOON / Height: 85 feet  Diameter: 48 feet" picturing the means by which man made in 1783 the historic first successful ascent into the air over the outskirts of Paris France; unused chrome-era postcard, fairly fresh with good edges. $1.25 bh

The unforgettable almost-magical balloon drop over the thousands of gymnasts (comprising the then-largest gymnastics meet in history) as they reach upwards at the 1992 Buckeye Classic in Columbus Ohio. Photography by Bill Judnick. 5"x7" custom prints $9.00 each. g(b)-b

"This balloon was at our fair a few weeks ago." uncaptioned (so we use the pertinent text written on front) real photo post card, colorless impressed logo of the Waldrop Photo Co. in San Juan Puerto Rico on back, mailed MAR 3 1911 (cancel place too light to be sure) to Miss Catherine Myers in Tonawanda New York, small upper corner crease, long almost vertical crease faintly toward the right front side. A few years later the originator became known as the Waldrop Photographic Company. SALE IN PROGRESS bp(s)

   
"This is a view of Kalkaska on Carnival day a short while ago." with a balloon on the ground drawing a crowd; uncaptioned (so we use the first sentence of the message) real photo postcard with evenly divided back, mailed at Kalkaska Michigan (cancel too light to date for sure -- looks like MAR 6), oxidation consistent with circa-1908 year, tiny bottom corner crease, noticeable toning near the bottom back edge. Obviously one-of-a-kind. $17.50 bm(k)

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"This photograph was taken just as the Air Ship was ready for a start at the Cambridge Fair of 1908.  Five minutes later it was / in the air under absolute control of the navigator and was a most interesting and beautiful sight. After visiting the village and / circling the Fair Ground for forty-five minutes it returned to the enclosure, landing safely and easily within 50 feet of its tent." in Lamoille County Vermont. Back printing continues: 'Yes, it is true, the Airship will be at the Great Cambridge Fair and will make flights every day, Aug. 30, 31, Sept. 1, 2, 3, 1909". Upper corner crease, album toning on back. Rare. $17.50 bv(c)

"'Tre ballonger' av Richard Akerman." art by the Welsh artist on an circa 1983 unused continental postcard printed in Sweden. $1.25 ba

TUCK POST CARD 9495 (AIRSHIPS). "M. DEUTSCH'S AIRSHIP" showing what was then the largest airship ever built; unused Tuck Oilette postcard printed in England, trivial corner wear, otherwise fairly fresh. Art inspired by a real photograph. Issued 1911-1914 with a red overprint 'CHRISTMAS GREETINGS' to use up the stock of what was apparently an unpopular item. $12.50 a(p)tb

=> We are well aware that the claims on these 2 postcards
contradict themselves, because they show very different airships.
We do not know which printing on the back is correct. <=

TUCK POST CARD 9495 (AIRSHIPS). "M. DEUTSCH'S AIRSHIP 'LA VILLE DE PARIS'" claiming to show what was then the largest airship ever built; Tuck Oilette postcard with art prepared from a real photograph, fairly fresh with good edges. Issued 1911-1914 with a red overprint 'A HAPPY CHRISTMAS'. $12.50 a(p)tb

TUCK POSTCARD 9495 (AIRSHIPS). "THE LEBAUDY AIRSHIP" unused Tuck Oilette post card inspired by a real photograph, printed in England, tiny bottom corner bend, just a few light spots of toning on back. Seen 1911-1914 with a red overprint 'A HAPPY CHRISTMAS' & with a green "DOUGLAS-LOOKING FOR KELLY. KELLY FROM THE ISLE OF MAN'. $12.00 bti

TUCK POST CARD 9495 (AIRSHIPS). "THE MILITARY AIRSHIP 'PATRIE'" unused Tuck Oilette postcard inspired by a real photograph, printed in England, album marks at all back corners, trivial corner wear. Seen 1911-1914 with a green overprint 'A HAPPY CHRISTMAS' & with a green "WORTHING. I LIKE THIS SPOT ABOVE ALL OTHERS'. $12.00 ba(m)te(w)

"Unsere Zukunst liegt in der bust / Graf Zeppelin / 3909" meaning 'our future is in the chest' in German, unused metamorphic Postkarte with the head & cap of the count incorporating 2 zeppelins & several balloons, slight oxidation, small upper corner crease, lightly toned back. $20.00 mbb

   
"UP IN THE AIR, READY FOR MY BALLOON ASCENSION, GOOD BYE! / 355" Kraemer Art Company postcard from its American Special Series Art Cards, copyrighted 1905, mailed 13 JAN 1913 (CIN. & KNOX. RPO cancel with RMS duplex) by W. Clemmons to Mrs Gracie Clemmons in Hamilton Ohio, minor wear at one upper corner, unevenly toned back. Rare: we could not find it on the Internet, for sale or even on exhibit. The only time we have seen its like, it had a black text overprint of the balloon extolling the virtues of Kentucky from a balloonist's point view--and that just once. $15.00 bk

"U. S. Dirigible Balloon, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas." circa-1908 postcard with unevenly divided back, minor corner & edge wear. Seldom offered. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. bk(f)a(m)

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"USES OF THE AIR SHIP". Signed Bowman art on a 12-postcard series. 8 are mailed with 1909 - 1913 postmarks in Midwestern US states. Minor faults except: a lot of toning on back (left, row 3); 1/2" tear from top center edge (center, row 3). Obviously done in printings at different times, because of slight variations in the dimensions & border treatments. There is scant information on this gifted artist. All these postcards are very hard to find, so apparently none were printed in quantity. Finding all 12 at once at our price of $55.00 is a real treat. a(b)bf

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"Valentine / Greetings" showing Cupid suspended from 2 heart-shaped balloons, unused intricately embossed post card printed in Saxony, unevenly divided back, fairly fresh with good edges. Shown left. $5.00 vb. "Valentine Greetings" from the same series, similar description, but addressed & messaged to a Mr. Adam Schumaker in Dayton Ohio. Shown right. $4.50 vb. Take them both for $8.75 vb.

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"WADSWORTH, OHIO / BALLOON RACES" unused lithographed postcard from Jeffrey Neumann photography, near-mint condition. $1.50 o(w)bp

"Wellman Hersey & Lahm // 9/5 - 1906" in preparation for the historic race which started from Tuileries Paris France on September 30th; real photo carte postale including both eventual winners of the First Gordon Bennett International Balloon Race. Major Henry B. Hersey of the Rough Riders & Walter Wellman were just back from the first ever Arctic balloon expedition. The balloon showing was owned by Frank Purdy Lahm; because he could not race, he was replaced by his son Lieutenant Frank Lahm from a cavalry training base in France. [It is not absolutely clear whether Frank Purdy Lahm is in the image, but the prominent passenger in the basket is uniformed, so we know him to be Lieutenant Lahm.] The idea of the race was to fly over the English Channel as far as possible into Britain. Hersey jumped into the balloon literally at the last minute, because Lt. Lahm's planned assistant was declared ineligible. The winning distance was 410 miles, accomplished by Lt. Lahm & Hersey, ending at Fylingdales England. Oxidation consistent with captioned age; light inconsequential album toning near edges of both sides. $80.00 brf(p)

"WILL DROP IN on or about [the 26th inst] / ... / NATIONAL CASKET CO." salesman's post card mailed MAY 12 10 from Mansfield Ohio, light toning shows in the front borders. An unusual type of advertising that is hard to find. The company headquarters was in Oneida New York. Sold but front side still available for scholarly study & research as an enlarged 300-dpi scan (publication quality) in .jpg format for $3.75. cbn(o)

"WILL TAKE A FLYING TRIP TO [ ... ]" signed Grace Harlow art depicting a gentleman suspended beneath a balloon, postcard mailed AUG 16 1911 at Mishawaka to Mr. Gale Kirby in South Bend Indiana, corners worn & rounded, paper browning with age. Writer mentions a soft ball game upcoming with nearby Woodland, a weekly band concert at Wyatt & the country commencement at Spring Creek. $7.50 a(h)b

"You'd certainly enjoy the air in Trotwood, O." postcard published by J. M. P., mailed there AUG 20 1917 to Miss Nellie Baker in Dayton Ohio, a lot of corner wear, stamp part lost over the upper edge, back heavily toned. $6.00 bo(t)

   
"Z-1129 RETURNING FROM A FLIGHT, ONTARIO BEACH PARK" with the Scenic Railroad Building at the right, in Rochester New York; post card published by Scranton Wetmore & Company, mailed DEC 21 1916 in Ilion New York to Mrs. Clarence Gross in Nelliston New York conveying family news, small upper corner crease, all corners with minor wear & rounding, front sky with a few small spots of light toning. $12.00 bn(r)a