Guide to the Maurice Garbell Papers M2144
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
2019
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Language of Material:
Multiple languages
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Maurice Garbell papers
Creator:
Garbell, Maurice
Identifier/Call Number: M2144
Physical Description:
4.5 Linear Feet
(8 boxes, 1 half box, 1 oversize folder)
Date (inclusive): c. 1934-1960
Abstract: The papers of aeronautical engineer and pilot Maurice Garbell consist of articles, reports and other writing, photographs,
personal corresondence, memorabilia, and other material.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Conditions Governing Use
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], Maurice Garbell papers (M2144). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford Libraries,
Stanford, Calif.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchase; 2016. Accession MSS 2016-163.
Related Materials
Related publications about the 1936 German Olympics are cataloged individually here:
https://searchworks.stanford.edu/catalog?q=%22Maurice+Garbell+papers.%22&search_field=subject_terms
Biographical / Historical
Maurice (sometimes spelled "Maurizio") Adolph Garbell was born in Moscow in 1914 but was a Latvian citizen through his father.
Garbell and his family moved to Germany during the Russian Revolution. There he studied at technical institutions in Heidelberg
and Berlin. In 1933 Garbell moved to Milan to enroll at the Polytechnic Institute where he earned a doctorate in engineering
writing about the design of aircraft engines. He also became interested in soaring, and he earned an instructor license from
the Italian Air Ministry (1935) and participated in numerous gliding meets. Garbell was trainer and vice captain in the national
Italian Glider Team and was part of the team's demonstration flights at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. In 1937 Garbell
was made a Manager of the Research Institute for Motorless Flight in Milan, designing and building three high-performance
sailplanes, one of which won an Italian championship in 1938.
Garbell was also interested in meteorology; in 1937 and 1938, he wrote a column on the subject for the Italian magazine "L'Aquilone"
as well as other articles. In 1947 his textbook "Tropical and Equatorial Meteorology" was published by Pitman Publishing Company.
In 1939, Garbell emigrated to the United States, working first for the Aerodynamics Research of Consolidated Vultee Aircraft
Corp. in San Diego, briefly for Pan American Air Ferries in Miami, and then teaching at the Boeing School of Aeronautics (owned
by United Air Lines) at the Oakland airport. After the war he established his own office in San Francisco as a consulting
engineer, specializing in issues pertaining to aviation such as air traffic control, noise mitigation, and landing aids. Garbell
passed away in 1990 after a short illness.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Aeronautics.
World War, 1939-1945.
Series 1. Articles, reports & reprints by or relating to Garbell
box 4, folder 3
"I Temporali Sulle Alpi" Estratto Dalla Rivista Aeronautica June 1937 (reprint)
Scope and Contents
I Temporali Sulle Alpi. Estratto dall Rivista Aeronautica. Anno XIII—No. 6. Guigno 1937-XV. 11pp + five folding plates,
blue wrappers.
box 7, folder 2
"Alianti" glider in Mondo D'Oggi Scienza Viva v.IV n.6-7 (full issue)
October 1937
box 5, folder 8
Auto Moto Avio articles
1937-1938
Scope and Contents
All are reprints, but v.XV n.9 also exists as full issue, and also includes original illustrations of the Figures.
Includes:
La gara internazionale di volo a vela della Rhön (4-8 luglio 1937). Estratto dall rivista quindicinale "Auto Moto Avia," No.
14—30 juglio 1937-XV. 12pp, many photos by Garbell.
[1937] Alianti al Salone Milanese. Estratto dall rivista quindicinale "Auto Moto Avia," No. 21-- 15 noviembre 1937-XVI.
4to. 8pp.
[1938] Alianti. Estratto dall rivista quindicinale "Auto Moto Avia," No. 2-- 30 gennaio 1938-XVI. 8pp.
[1938] Alianti. Estratto dall rivista quindicinale "Auto Moto Avia," No. 4—28 febbrairo 1938-XVI. 8pp
box 7, folder 3
L'Aquilone v.VIII n.3,4,6 (full issues)
1938
box 4, folder 4
"Considerazioni Sull' Impiego di Turbine a Vapore per la Propulsione Degli Aerei" (bound typescript)
1938
box 5, folder 7
FlugSport v.XXX n.3 (full issue)
1938
Scope and Contents
Three photos of gliders at Asiago, Italy, IN: FlugSport. Frankfurt, Feb. 2, 1928. Vol. XXX, No. 3, pp.73-74. Also two other
Garbell glider photos accompanying a description of a glider co-designed by Garbell, on pp.58-59.
box 4, folder 2
"Wings On The Wind" Aviation June 1939 (typescript copy and full issue)
Scope and Contents
Wings on the Wind. Remarkable progress in gliding and soaring in Europe is disclosed in this report on design and technique
in Germany and Italy. In: Aviation. June 1939 (Vol. 38, No. 6). Pp.18-23, 76. With many photos by Garbell. Complete issue.
With 4pp release of text only from Aviation (folio, 4pp, mimeograph). Garbell's piece is the lead article in this issue;,
he is described as a "student not only in German and Italian camps, but was an instructor in one of the largest Italian soaring
centers. He is a designer of considerable repute, having a least two successful soaring machines to his credit, and is therefore
more than competent to discuss the latest developments in European soaring techniques."
box 4, folder 2
"Soaring's Decennial" Aviation August 1939 (full issue)
box 4, folder 2
"Postwar Preview of European Airways" published Aviation April 1943 (typescript)
box 4, folder 2
"Effective Control of Stalling Characteristics of Highly Tapered and Swept-Back Wings" Journal of the Aeronautical Sciences
(reprint)
February 1946
box 7, folder 1
"Flying Characteristics During the Stall," Interavia v.1 n.8-9 (full issues in English, German & French editions)
November-December 1946
box 2, folder 7
Garbell Research Foundation - "Investigation of Airport Acceptance Rates" CWB-8175 Interim Reports 1-3
1950
box 3
CWB-8175 drafts [unfoldered]
box 4, folder 1
Maurice A. Garbell, Inc. - "The Jet-Noise Problem at Bayside Manor and Means for Its Allevation. Prepared for the City of
Millbrae"
1960
Series 2. Professional correspondence, etc.
box 1, folder 13
Pan American Air Ferries correspondence
1942
box 2, folder 1
Garbell Research Foundation letterhead, envelope ; M.A.G., Inc. 1948 stock certificate book
box 2, folder 6
U.S. Patent 2,441,758
1946
Series 3. Personal/family correspondence
Scope and Contents
Majority are letters from Garbell's mother-in-law Etta Feitelberg, as well as from Lola Feitelberg, his wife Esther's sister.
Mrs. Feitelberg took an interest in Maurice's career, especially his writing and publishing activities, and responded to some
correspondence as his secretary.
There are a few letters between Maurice and his wife, and some travel papers related to his brother the artist Alexandre Garbell
(https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandre_Garbell)
box 1, folder 7
ephemera - Esther Feitelberg Garbell & Lola Feitelberg
box 1, folder 8
ephemera - Etta Feitelberg (Mrs. Leopold Feitelberg)
Series 4. Articles, reports, maps, etc.
box 2, folder 2
reports - meteorology, transport, research
box 2, folder 3
G.P.O. reports/reprints - U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Weather Bureau 1937-1939 ; NASA 1968-1969
box 2, folder 5
reprints - Filipo Eredia
1936-1946
box 5, folder 5
Construzioni Aeronatiche "Taliedo" brochure, Milan
Scope and Contents
Not complete?
Box 4, Folder 7
map - "Facilities Affecting the Utah Construction Co. Bay Farm Island Property"
1954
map-folder 9
San Francisco Aeronautic Chart (U.S. Geodesic Survey)
revised February 1950
Scope and Contents
Used in report CWB-8175
map-folder 9
technical drawing of tailfin - University California [War Training? Merced?]
1943-02-19
map-folder 9
technical drawing of airplane
Scope and Contents
Undated and unsigned, but there is some French writing on the reverse
Series 5. Aeronautical magazines & journals
box 4, folder 5
Aeronautical Engineering Review v.4 n.7
July 1945
box 4, folder 5
Aeronautical Engineering Review v.5 n.3
March 1946
box 6
L'Aerotecnica v.XIX n.2,3, 5,7,8-9 ; v.XX n.1, 2, 3, 4
1939-1940
box 7, folder 4
Les Ailes v.19 n.959
December 14, 1939
box 5, folder 6
Boeing School News v.VI n.7, v.VII n.6&8
1940-1941
box 4, folder 5
Central Air Documents Office - Technical Data Digest v.17 n.2
February 1952
box 4, folder 5
Central Air Documents Office - Technical Data Digest v.17 n.3
March 1952
box 5, folder 4
Die Heulboje
Scope and Contents
Published in Latvia. Possibly about transportation
box 5, folder 3
Interavia v.XI n.6
June 1956
box 4, folder 6
The MATS Flyer v.IV n.4 (Military Air Transport Service)
April 1957
box 4, folder 6
The MATS Flyer v.IV n.4 (Military Air Transport Service)
May 1957
box 4, folder 6
Missiles And Rockets v.10 n.12
March 19, 1962
box 6
Rivista Aeronautica v.XV n.3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 ; v.XVI n.1,2,5
1939-1940
box 4, folder 6
Skyways v.14 n.10
October 1955
box 4, folder 6
Weatherwise v.7 n.2
April 1954
box 4, folder 6
Weatherwise v.10 n.3
June 1957
box 4, folder 6
Weatherwise v.11 n.2
April 1958
box 4, folder 6
Weatherwise v.11 n.3
June 1958
box 4, folder 8
Landing Aids Experiment Station, Arcata, California
1948
box 4, folder 9-10
binder of photographs [binder discarded]
Scope and Contents
Approximately 200 prints relating to gliding—with scenes of workshops, field preparations, competition, models of gliders,
views from the air. Also 17 photographs of weather patterns in Italy taken by the Center for the study of flight at Milano
Polytechnic (presumably by Garbell).
box 5, folder 1
photo album - "Leica 1-39"
circa 1935-1938
Scope and Contents
Mounted positives from original contact sheets, usually place and year noted. Includes many views which Garbell later printed
as regular photographs. Some personal subjects (family etc.) depicted as well. Volume 1 has 426 images, and covers a range
of soaring meets from the summer of 1935 through 1937, and includes views taken at the Olympic demonstration competition in
1936.
box 5, folder 2
photo album - "Leica 40-78"
circa 1938-1946
Scope and Contents
Mounted positives from original contact sheets, usually place and year noted. Includes many views which Garbell later printed
as regular photographs. Some personal subjects (family etc.) depicted as well. Volume II has 408 images, and continues with
photographs taken in 1937 and through 1946, includes Garbell's move to America in 1939 (and his visit to the NY World's Fair)
and then numerous photos of domestic scenes taken in 1941-46.
box 7
photo album - gliders & gliding
Scope and Contents
Oblong cloth-bound folio with 72 mounted or tipped on photographs, some printed on "real-photo postcard" paper. 18ff. Mostly
from 1935-36, including views taken during the glider competition at the 1936 Olympics.
Series 7. Ephemera & Memorabilia
box 1, folder 9
personal ephemera & news clippings
box 1, folder 10
professional ephemera
Scope and Contents
C.V., American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics certificate, Guggenheim fellowship application form, etc.
box 8, object 1
fascist parade hat
Scope and Contents
Fascist parade hat (felt), with embroidered insignia of the Italian Coat of Arms incorporating the Fascist fasces. Around
the brim of the hat are placed around the brim are 18 different badges, pins, and tie clasps, relating to aviation meets or
membership in aviation clubs, 1935-38, including:
* Aero Club of Milano. Raduno Aeroe 7e Giro de Lombardia 16-VI-35-XIII. Large multi-colored enameled badge, with Milan
Cathedral, airplanes, and landing field depicted.
* Aero Club Von Deustchland. Circular badge with Nazi swastika in wing, and name identification "Garbell/Italien."
* Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps/ 19.Rhon-Segelflug-WettBewerb/1938. Stamp badge with swastika and eagle in center.
* Aero Club de Suisse. Round badge with plane at top; in center identification area: "Sig./Garbell/Italia."
* Raduno Vol0 Veleggiato Asiago 8-15 Agosto XV [1937]. Enamel with Fascist symbols/ Garbell's name in slot.
* 2d Raduno Nazionale Volo Veleggiato Asiago 4-14 Agisto XVI [1938]. Red enamel pin with Fascist sumbols/ Garbell's name
in slot.
ISTUS. Enamel pin with Organization symbol (winged bird) and in Italian colors.
* Associazione Italiana Della Stamp Tecnica Milano, Secondo Convegno naz. Roma, Guigno XV [1937].
* 1938 Olympics participants ribbon/medal, fabric portion missing; stamped with number 6865.
OTHER PINS:
* Unspecified glider pin.
* Small winged bird pin.
* Small pin with fleur-de-leur (in green) flanked by wings.
* A.I.D.A. pin. Small, blue enamel with eagle and Fascist symbols.
* Small double-headed eagle with German colors in center.
* Glider tie pin.
* Small red-enamel piece with initials Ae. C.I. and fascist symbol, with winged eagle.
* Official ISTS blue and white enamel pin.
box 8, object 2
aviator's hat
Scope and Contents
Commercially manufactured heavy-cloth aviator's hat with protective neck flaps and adjustable straps. Embroidered around
the hat are various accounts of gliding events in Italy, German (Berlin) and Hungary (Budapest); more events are marked in
ink with dates and flight information from meets throughout Europe, 1934-36, culminating in the Berlin Olympics. Twenty-one
different gliding events are commemorated.
box 8, object 3
1936 Berlin Summer Olympics Participation medal
Scope and Contents
1936 Berlin XI Summer Olympics Official Participation medal in bronze, designed by Otto Placzek, 70mm diameter in original
red box. Only given to those who actively participated in events.
Series 8. Addenda 2020-326: Correspondence
Scope and Contents
This series consists of correspondence to Maurice Garbell from 1936-1938. He was living and working in Italy. The correspondence
is from family, publications, professional colleagues, Fascist organizations, and friends.
