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Handkerchief, Lindbergh, King Collection

Air and Space Museum

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    Object Details

    Physical Description

    Handkerchief commemorating Lindbergh's flight across the Atlantic. The handkerchief is made of very sheer material and has both text and illustrations on it. In the upper center of the handkerchief are the words "WELCOME HOME!" above an image of the Spirit of St. Louis. Below that the text reads: ~'SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS' ~ NEW YORK-TO-PARIS IN 33 1/2 HOURS. In the center is an illustration of Lindbergh's bust, and below him is a scroll that reads: ~OUR WORLD ~ CAPTAIN CHARLES A. LINDBERGH. On the left of Lindbergh the text says, "STARTED FROM NEW YORK FRI. MAY 20, 1927 7-52 A.M. (N.Y. TIME)," and on the right the text says, "ARRIVED IN PARIS SAT. MAY 21, 1927 5-30 P.M. (N.Y. TIME)." The border around the entire handkerchief consists of two thin light brown lines, a line of alternating purple dashes and pink dots, and two more thin brown lines.

    Summary

    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.

    Long Description

    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.

    Credit Line

    Gift of the Stanley King Family

    Inventory Number

    A20040292118

    Restrictions & Rights

    Usage conditions apply

    Type

    MEMORABILIA-Popular Culture

    Materials

    Fabric

    Dimensions

    2-D - Unframed (H x W): 24.1 x 24.1cm (9 1/2 x 9 1/2 in.)

    See more items in

    National Air and Space Museum Collection

    Data Source

    National Air and Space Museum

    Metadata Usage

    Not determined

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv973cb7516-1eb0-445a-9069-f3b02a059a43

    Record ID

    nasm_A20040292118

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