12th Mar, 2025 10:00
The Fine Collectors Sale
A Rare Set of Stereo Glass Slides of Rheims Air Show, 1910
French, c.1901, the slides marked 'Verascope Richard, with images of balloning, early cars, early aricraft, crashed planes, Crowds of onlookers, pilots, complete with a stereo viewer
The 1910 Rheims Air Show, officially known as the Grande Semaine d'Aviation de la Champagne, occupies a central place in the history of aviation. It built on the success of the inaugural 1909 meet—the world’s first international gathering of aviators— capturing the public’s imagination and spurred a new wave of competition and innovation among pilots.
Held on the historic Betheny Plain, the 1910 event became synonymous with early aviation achievements, despite facing numerous challenges. The weather, for instance, was particularly unforgiving, with rain and wind reducing the field to a muddy quagmire. Yet, this did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds who gathered in awe to witness these daring aviators and their remarkable flying machines. The pilots themselves faced daunting conditions, battling the elements to achieve successful takeoffs and flights. Still, the spirit of progress and competition prevailed.
The airshow brought together some of the most celebrated names in aviation, including Louis Blériot and Hubert Latham. Blériot, famed for his pioneering flight across the English Channel just the year before, showcased the cutting-edge progress in aviation. Latham, flying his Antoinette monoplane, represented a new era of design and performance. Adding to the excitement was Glenn Curtiss, a trailblazer in aircraft engine development, whose innovations were already reshaping the capabilities of early aircraft.
The significance of the Rheims Air Show stretched far beyond the spectacle of flight. It became a meeting ground for the exchange of ideas, inspiring advancements that pushed aviation to new heights—quite literally. Pilots broke altitude and distance records, illustrating just how rapidly aircraft technology was advancing. These achievements weren’t just technical milestones; they symbolized humanity's growing mastery of powered flight.
Importantly, the Rheims meet helped cement aviation’s role in popular culture and technological progress. It wasn’t merely a showcase of daring pilots and clever engineers; it was a testament to human ingenuity and ambition. The event made it clear that powered flight was no passing novelty—it was destined to become a cornerstone of modern transportation and, soon enough, a key element of military strategy.
Sold for £500
Result including buyers premium
French, c.1901, the slides marked 'Verascope Richard, with images of balloning, early cars, early aricraft, crashed planes, Crowds of onlookers, pilots, complete with a stereo viewer
The 1910 Rheims Air Show, officially known as the Grande Semaine d'Aviation de la Champagne, occupies a central place in the history of aviation. It built on the success of the inaugural 1909 meet—the world’s first international gathering of aviators— capturing the public’s imagination and spurred a new wave of competition and innovation among pilots.
Held on the historic Betheny Plain, the 1910 event became synonymous with early aviation achievements, despite facing numerous challenges. The weather, for instance, was particularly unforgiving, with rain and wind reducing the field to a muddy quagmire. Yet, this did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds who gathered in awe to witness these daring aviators and their remarkable flying machines. The pilots themselves faced daunting conditions, battling the elements to achieve successful takeoffs and flights. Still, the spirit of progress and competition prevailed.
The airshow brought together some of the most celebrated names in aviation, including Louis Blériot and Hubert Latham. Blériot, famed for his pioneering flight across the English Channel just the year before, showcased the cutting-edge progress in aviation. Latham, flying his Antoinette monoplane, represented a new era of design and performance. Adding to the excitement was Glenn Curtiss, a trailblazer in aircraft engine development, whose innovations were already reshaping the capabilities of early aircraft.
The significance of the Rheims Air Show stretched far beyond the spectacle of flight. It became a meeting ground for the exchange of ideas, inspiring advancements that pushed aviation to new heights—quite literally. Pilots broke altitude and distance records, illustrating just how rapidly aircraft technology was advancing. These achievements weren’t just technical milestones; they symbolized humanity's growing mastery of powered flight.
Importantly, the Rheims meet helped cement aviation’s role in popular culture and technological progress. It wasn’t merely a showcase of daring pilots and clever engineers; it was a testament to human ingenuity and ambition. The event made it clear that powered flight was no passing novelty—it was destined to become a cornerstone of modern transportation and, soon enough, a key element of military strategy.
Auction: The Fine Collectors Sale, 12th Mar, 2025
