Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Part I
Initially, the intent of the Exposition planners was to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the City of Chicago by highlighting the city's first hundred years in a historical retrospective. As plans matured, however, the primary theme of the fair became the advancements of mankind through science, making it a showcase for modern living, consumerism and entertainment.
In keeping with the fair's theme, several consequential aviation events and displays were mounted. These and their philatelic aspects are the subject of this presentation.
Part II
Part II of Aerophilately of the 1933-34 Century of Progress Exhibition 1933-34 offers a postscript to General Italo Balbo's fair visit in 1933, as well as the competitive aviation events at the fair, the balloon and air races. This is followed by the GoodYear blimps at the fair, the visits by the dirigibles Macon and Graf Zeppelin, and the demonstrations of the Adams non-stop air mail pick-up and delivery system.
Don
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Don, i was at a flea market looking for Century of Progress covers and a woman had this book about Balbos mass flights. I snapped it up.
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@Don(51Studebaker),
Two excellent videos Don. I learnt a lot!
Regards ... Tim
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I haven't watched the videos, but I will! For now, a General Balbo story:
When my wife, Susan, and I moved to Vancouver in 2001, I soon joined the B.C. Philatelic Society, which was meeting every Wednesday in a downtown office building within walking distance of our West End apartment. Soon after joining I met Basil Hunter, who was probably the club’s eldest member. Not long after joining, I went to Basil’s apartment to interview him for an article for the club’s newsletter.
Basil had a fascinating history, both in philately and in the music scene in Vancouver. At that time, the Vancouver Sun newspaper had its own dance band. Both Basil, and his partner, Frank, had been members of the band. Here’s a photo of Basil that I took on the day I visited him:
Basil’s philatelic history was fascinating. Among his stories was his purchase of a large portion of King Farouk’s collection. But I was more fascinated by his “Gen. Balbo” story. Basil visited the Century of Progress Fair with his parents, and had the opportunity to fly in one of Balbo’s Savoia-Marchetti S.55 seaplanes. He said that, during the flight, he’d never been so frightened! Apparently it was an extremely noisy and rough flight. Probably the landing was rough, too. I think I know how he felt. I once flew in a big U.S. Navy seaplane, a Martin Marlin P5M. When we landed back on San Diego Bay, there was a very loud BANG! I thought the bottom of the plane had collapsed.
The Savoia-Marchetti seaplane is featured on one of my favourite sets of airmail stamp, issued by Greece:
Bob
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Aerophilately of the 1933-34 Century of Progress Exposition
Part I
Initially, the intent of the Exposition planners was to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the City of Chicago by highlighting the city's first hundred years in a historical retrospective. As plans matured, however, the primary theme of the fair became the advancements of mankind through science, making it a showcase for modern living, consumerism and entertainment.
In keeping with the fair's theme, several consequential aviation events and displays were mounted. These and their philatelic aspects are the subject of this presentation.
Part II
Part II of Aerophilately of the 1933-34 Century of Progress Exhibition 1933-34 offers a postscript to General Italo Balbo's fair visit in 1933, as well as the competitive aviation events at the fair, the balloon and air races. This is followed by the GoodYear blimps at the fair, the visits by the dirigibles Macon and Graf Zeppelin, and the demonstrations of the Adams non-stop air mail pick-up and delivery system.
Don
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re: Aerophilately Of The 1933-34 Century Of Progress Exposition Presentations Published
Don, i was at a flea market looking for Century of Progress covers and a woman had this book about Balbos mass flights. I snapped it up.
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re: Aerophilately Of The 1933-34 Century Of Progress Exposition Presentations Published
@Don(51Studebaker),
Two excellent videos Don. I learnt a lot!
Regards ... Tim
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this post
re: Aerophilately Of The 1933-34 Century Of Progress Exposition Presentations Published
I haven't watched the videos, but I will! For now, a General Balbo story:
When my wife, Susan, and I moved to Vancouver in 2001, I soon joined the B.C. Philatelic Society, which was meeting every Wednesday in a downtown office building within walking distance of our West End apartment. Soon after joining I met Basil Hunter, who was probably the club’s eldest member. Not long after joining, I went to Basil’s apartment to interview him for an article for the club’s newsletter.
Basil had a fascinating history, both in philately and in the music scene in Vancouver. At that time, the Vancouver Sun newspaper had its own dance band. Both Basil, and his partner, Frank, had been members of the band. Here’s a photo of Basil that I took on the day I visited him:
Basil’s philatelic history was fascinating. Among his stories was his purchase of a large portion of King Farouk’s collection. But I was more fascinated by his “Gen. Balbo” story. Basil visited the Century of Progress Fair with his parents, and had the opportunity to fly in one of Balbo’s Savoia-Marchetti S.55 seaplanes. He said that, during the flight, he’d never been so frightened! Apparently it was an extremely noisy and rough flight. Probably the landing was rough, too. I think I know how he felt. I once flew in a big U.S. Navy seaplane, a Martin Marlin P5M. When we landed back on San Diego Bay, there was a very loud BANG! I thought the bottom of the plane had collapsed.
The Savoia-Marchetti seaplane is featured on one of my favourite sets of airmail stamp, issued by Greece:
Bob
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