Original vintage circa 1910 semi-glossy 5.25 x 3.25 postcard photo of Walter Brookins in the cockpit of a Wright Model R biplane, captioned "Brookins in New Wright Machine, Copyright Cole & Co. 1910." The reverse bears a message from a witness to an early flight, in full: "This is what we saw yesterday. There were eight in the air at one time. Great sight." Postmarked at Grand Central Station, New York, on October 27, 1910. In fine condition.
The subject of the photograph, Walter Brookins (1889–1953), was the first pilot trained by the Wright brothers for their exhibition team. The Wright Model R single-seat biplane, introduced in 1910, was designed for speed and altitude competitions. The postcard's writer must have attended the International Aviation Meet at Belmont Park, just outside New York City, which took place from October 22–31, 1910, where Brookins piloted a souped-up 'Baby Grand' version of the Model R—a clipped-wing, V8-powered flyer—in competition. During a time trial flight for the Gordon Bennett Trophy on October 29th, the plane suffered engine failure and crashed, tossing Brookins from the aircraft and leaving him with bruised ribs. A fine piece of ephemera that captures the public's palpable excitement at the dawn of modern aviation.
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