Bollée, Léon; photographer. Group of 4 photographs from the Wright Brothers' first public flight exhibitions, held in France. One shows the weight of the plane's catapult launcher being hoisted prior to takeoff. Two show the Wright Brothers plane on the ground in front of a substantial crowd. Wilbur Wright appears in the final shot, wearing a heavy cap to the left in the foreground as he discusses the plane with three observers. Silver prints, each about 4 x 6 inches; minor wear, mount remnants on verso. Le Mans, France, [circa August to October 1908] [Hare, James H. "Jimmy."] Photograph of Wilbur Wright at a public aircraft demonstration for the United States Army. Printing-out paper print, 5 x 7 inches, captioned in pencil on verso "Wilbur talks to Governor Flower of N.Y., trial tests of plane, Ft. Myer 1908"; minimal wear. Fort Myer, VA, [1909?]. Mayfield, William Preston; photographer. Group of aviation photographs. 9 photographs, the first 3 vintage: Aviator in plane Barling Bomber Blowing the Dice Early airplane Single Seat--Single Prop Two aviators 3 Wright Flyers at Summer Field ca 1912 Orville Wright with the Jack McGee Plane, the Starting Kit & the Trailer, Dayton Orville Wright Pilot, No Wheels. Silver prints, 10 x 8 inches and smaller, with the photographer's estate handstamp on verso. Vp, 1910-24; some printed later. with--3 non-aviation photos by William Preston Mayfield, 1930s-41. Provenance: most acquired at Swann auctions in 1993 and 1994.
