516. RARE 1866 PIONEERING AVIATION PAMPHLET,

Auction: 2003 Americana and Decorative Arts. Nov. 12 - 13.

Price Realized: $3,407.50

The Aereon or Flying-Ship, Aerial Navigation Co., New York: John F. Trow & Co., 1866. 15, [1] pp. First edition. Original printed wrappers with illustration of "The First Aeron, 1863" on the back of the rear wrapper. Sumptuously bound into one-half leather with marbled paper sides. Patent Office duplicate with rubber stamp: "Copyright 7 Jan. 1867." A most important work in which Andrew Solomon describes his flying-ship for patent purposes and gives a history of the formation and work of his Aerial Navigation Company. Dr. Solomon Andrews (1806-1872) was a man ahead of his time, inventing the first self-propelled balloon that could be steered. His flying machine, the "Aereon," could master the stiffest wind, using the same principle that a sailboat uses sailing into the wind. In actuality, Andrews discovered that the difference of specific gravity between the balloon and the atmosphere in which it floated could be applied as power to propel the airship in any direction. The Aereon made its maiden voyage over the city of Perth Amboy on June 1, 1863. The dirigible made of three parallel cigar-shaped balloons, each 80 feet long and 13 feet wide, included 21 cells inside the balloon to prevent the movement of the hydrogen gas. It also included a rudder and a basket for the fliers. In the ensuing months, more trials were performed until Andrews wrote a letter to President Abraham Lincoln on Aug. 26, 1863. After much delay, he met with Lincoln in January 1864 and shortly afterward gave a demonstration before a scientific committee in the Smithsonian Institute. This work prints Andrews letter to Secretary of War Edward M. Stanton in which he details his thoughts of using the airship to the Union's advantage "for observing the position, force and disposition of the enemy." Nearly a year later, after much red tape, the Military Committee informed Andrews of little interest in the airship even though balloons had been used with success. Undaunted, Andrews organized the Aerial Navigation Co. to build commercial airships and establish a regular line between New York and Philadelphia. He built a new Aereon No.2 and on May 25, 1865, using only one cylinder shaped like a giant lemon, he sailed over New York City, stunning the populace. On June 5, with great fanfare, Andrews again sailed over New York, brought the city to a standstill, and landed at Oyster Bay, Long Island. Although more spectacular flights were predicted, he never flew again. In post war panic, hundreds of banks failed and the Aerial Navigation Co. was wiped out. To this day, no other man has been able to fly an airship without a motor.

Besides his airship, Andrews is credited with 24 inventions including a sewing machine, a barrel making machine, fumigators, forging presses, a kitchen range, a gas lamp and a padlock used by the U.S. Post Office since 1842. In addition, he built a successful medical practice, served three terms as Mayor of Perth Amboy, constructed the city's first sewer, and saved the residents from cholera and yellow fever epidemics. An informative work by this noted American inventor and a seminal piece in the annals of early aviation.

Ink library stamp on margin of 1st page, original self wraps chipped light even toning, VG.

(EST $2500-$3500)

Price Realized: $3,407.50

Price includes buyer's premium.