Bag, Lindbergh, King Collection

A maroon clamshell bag with an image of the Spirit of St. Louis flying above water and below clouds. The moon is visible through the clouds with the lettering "New York to Paris" on its face. Brown stitching attaches pieces of fabric to the edges of the board. A leather handle and metal clasp are affixed to the top of the bag. The bottom of the bag has two hinges and 14 black metal circles.

On May 20-21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh literally flew into history when he crossed the Atlantic Ocean in his Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis, thus becoming the first pilot to fly solo and nonstop from New York to Paris. This flight made Lindbergh a household name and catapulted him into fame and celebrity. The objects of popular culture in the National Collection display everything from ashtrays to wristwatches reflect the public adulation for Lindbergh and the powerful commercial response to his celebrity. More than 75 years after the Spirit's historic flight, Lindbergh's name still has the power help sell manufactured goods.