Mr. and Mrs. Biggs’ 60th Anniversary

Old photo, white border. Circa 1910s – 1920s.

Price:  $5.00            Size:  3 x 5″

“Mr. and Mrs. Biggs already to take a ride on their 60th Wedding Anniversary.”

The condition is poor, as you can plainly see, but what a great photo – an adventurous couple, in probably their late 70’s or early 80’s, ready to mark the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary with a ride in a biplane.

Santa In An Airplane

Old photo, white border. Circa 1920s to 1930s.

Price:  $4.00

We’re late getting to the Christmas posts this year…..Here’s the first, a subtle one, maybe taken in Southern California, due to the palm trees in the background. That is Santa in the monoplane with propeller and open cockpit, though you have to click to enlarge the photo to see him. Note the teddy bear attached just on the body of the aircraft, near the wing, and the draping tinsel. And maybe someone can tell us (or is it obvious?) Was this aircraft really used to fly or was it built for the parade? Probably the latter.

Santa’s Aeroplane

Vintage Christmas card, publisher unknown.Circa 1917 – 1930s.

Price:  $4.00           Size:  3 and 1/2 x 4 and 1/2″

“I hope that Santa’s aeroplane

Is coming straight your way,

To bring you lots of good things

And a happy Christmas Day.”

Signed,  “Carrie R. Libbey.”

The biplane in this artwork may have been inspired by the Sopwith Camel, due to the bullseye designs under the lower wing. (Maybe these designs have a specific name per Camel aficionados, and someone can let us know.) Note the lack of landing gear on the plane, but the pilot was Santa so maybe he didn’t need any! And hey, the initials S.C. on the hull work for both Santa Claus and Sopwith Camel!

Source:  Sopwith Camel. n.d. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopwith_Camel (accessed December 25, 2018).