Early Flights of Hydrogen Balloons and Biplanes in Albuquerque, New Mexico

This collection contains 19 historic photographs depicting early flights of a hydrogen balloon and a biplane in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and features some of the first aerial photographs of the city. Silver gel photographs measure between 4” x 3” to 8” x 6” and are dated to 1909 and 1913. Also included are two newspaper clippings about the flights and one photocopy (modern) of Joseph A. Blondin’s 1909 flight log. Overall good. Most photographs have glue residue and numbers written in pencil on verso (likely photos were used in a book); three photos have moderate chipping and soiling affecting content but the remaining photos have only light soiling and minor creasing at corners. Housed in a modern 3-ring binder. Five photographs depict one or two men in a hydrogen balloon - either showing the balloon stationed on the ground or not far off the ground, with many onlookers. The men in this balloon are Joseph A. Blondin, pioneer balloonist, and Roy Stamm, Albuquerque merchant and financier of the flight. A newspaper clipping depicts one of the photographs found in this collection, and contains pertinent information about the image: “Roy Stamm and Joseph Blondin’s hydrogen balloon, which carried them 90 miles east of Albuquerque, 1909.” The remaining fourteen photographs depict Roy Francis’ twin propellor biplane (4 images) and aerial photographs of Albuquerque taken on one of Francis’ flights by Roy Stamm (10 images). Two of the aerial photographs have manuscript annotations on verso reading, “Francis Biplane - October 1913 - Central Avenue (then Railroad Avenue), Albuquerque looking east. Nothing but the University on the mesa!” and “Francis Biplane - October 1913 - The Rio Grande and Valley looking south from over Old Albuquerque. Note the washed-out gap in the bridge. Referred to on page 3 of airplane manuscript.” In his article “Pioneers in the Air" (New Mexico Magazine, September 1946 issue) Stamm relates his experiences with Francis in the biplane: "On this second flight, we took off on the meadows south of the Fair Grounds. For some reason, probably mechanical, the plane didn't get altitude. Only ten to twelve feet in the air, we buzzed down the river over its sand bars, just missing the tops of small saplings. Two miles downstream, a steel bridge crossed the river. Two bents were washed out and a pile driver was working there to close the gap. 'Almost onto the bridge, still no altitude, something is wrong!' flashed through my mind. When Francis swung over the water, heading for the gap to miss the bridge, I was sure of it! There seemed nothing to do except sit tight and not rock the boat...After gaining sufficient height, two wide circuits were made. I shot Albuquerque and the valley, east, south, west and north on the first circling; then took two more eastern exposures on the second. Francis and I had had enough; we spiraled down into the Fair Grounds. The plane slid to a stop." This collection of photographs has significant historical value, documenting the flights of early aeronauts of New Mexico and the first aerial photographs of Albuquerque. .