Ornament, Airplane Model, Lindbergh, King Collection

The ornament is a gray metal airplane with a yellow nose. "Spirit of St. Louis" is on the nose in black lettering. The string to hang the ornament is gold loop that is attached in the center of the wing. Both the wheels and the propeller are moving parts that can be spun.

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.