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Auction: 4020 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 36

French Aeronautical Memorabilia, A metal watch-chain, approx 9 in. long, bearing a circular fob embossed on one side with an image of a dirigible and on the other with an early monoplane in flight; a two-bladed penknife, the brass body embossed with balloons, dirigibles and a parachute; a similar penknife, the aluminium body embossed with a Blériot monoplane and a biplane; and a copper plate 51/2 in. x 71/2 in., presumably for colour printing, stamped 1313 and YELLOW, depicting a monoplane (possibly a Stringfellow's Flying Machine) in flight above a crowd of spectators (4) Estimate £ 150-200 John Stringfellow, 1799 - 1883, was a notable designer of light steam engines. In 1848 he produced a monoplane with a 10-foot wingspan, powered by a steam engine, which flew briefly for about 30 feet. He went on to develop a triplane, which was exhibited at the Crystal Palace in 1868, and which also successfully flew for short distances on occasion. None of these machines were of course large enough to carry a man.

Sold for
£120