Guide to the Edward L. Leiser Aviation Collection
MS 48
Finding aid prepared by Samantha Mills
San Diego History Center Document Collection
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
February 15, 2017
Title: Edward L. Leiser Aviation Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 48
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.25 Linear feet
(5 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1883-1934
Abstract: This collection contains 25 spiral-bound books by Edward L. Leiser detailing the day-to-day events in aviation history of
San Diego, California, between 1883 and 1934.
creator:
Leiser, Edward L.
Biographical / Historical Notes
Between the early 1990s and 2003, Edward L. Leiser composed over twenty-five volumes detailing San Diego’s rich history in
aviation. He theorized that aviation began in San Diego with John Montgomery’s man-carrying glider in 1883. Leiser documented
the activities of many San Diegan pilots following John Montgomery and all their trials, accidents, and record achievements.
Also documented are the beginnings of the North Island Naval Base, the Army Aviation School, and the Aero Club of America,
as well as air shows, trouble with the Wright brothers, and aviation activity during WWI.
Scope and Content
This collection contains 25 spiral-bound books by Edward L. Leiser detailing the day-to-day events in aviation history of
San Diego, California, between 1883 and 1934. The books are composed of narratives plus copies of advertisements, illustrations,
photographs, and maps. Book twelve, volume two, part one contains information on female pilots. Note: Books Fourteen (1931)
and Sixteen (1933) are missing from the collection.
Arrangement
The volumes are arranged chronologically.
Preferred Citation
Edward L. Leiser Aviation Collection, MS 48, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The San Diego Historical Society does NOT hold the copyright to this material and is NOT able to grant reproductions rights.
The original manuscripts are at the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Copies can only be made for research purposes.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Laura McMahon on January 8, 2008.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Aero Club of America.
Airtech School of Aviation.
Army Aviation School.
B.F. Mahoney Aircraft Corporation.
Crosson, Marvel, -1929
Curtiss Aviation School -- North Island-- Coronado.
Lindbergh Field - San Diego International Airport.
Lindbergh, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1902-1974
Montgomery, John J. (John Joseph), 1858-1911
Ryan Airlines.
Ryan, Tubal Claude, 1898-1982
Wallace, Peaches
Walsh, Charles, 1877-1912
Aeronautics
Air Pilots
Naval Air Station North Island (Calif.)
Rockwell Field
San Diego (Calif.)
United States. Army--Aviation
Women in aeronautics
Box-folder 1:1
San Diego Flying Days Book One,
1883-1913
Box-folder 1:2
San Diego Flying Days Book Two,
1914-1915
Box-folder 1:3
San Diego Flying Days Book Three,
1916-1917
Box-folder 1:4
San Diego Flying Days Book Four,
1918-1919
Box-folder 1:5
San Diego Flying Days Book Five,
1920-1922
Box-folder 2:1
San Diego Flying Days Book Six,
1923
Box-folder 2:2
San Diego Flying Days Book Seven,
1924
Box-folder 2:3
San Diego Flying Days Book Eight,
1925
Box-folder 2:4
San Diego Flying Days Book Nine,
1926
Box-folder 2:5
San Diego Flying Days Book Ten Part I,
1927
Box-folder 3:1
San Diego Flying Days Book Ten Part II,
1927
Box-folder 3:2
San Diego Flying Days Book Eleven Vol. 1 Part I,
1928
Box-folder 3:3
San Diego Flying Days Book Eleven Vol. 1 Part II,
1928
Box-folder 3:4
San Diego Flying Days Book Eleven Vol. 1 Part III,
1928
Box-folder 3:5
San Diego Flying Days Book Eleven Vol. 2 Part I,
1928
Box-folder 3:6
San Diego Flying Days Book Eleven Vol. 2 Part II,
1928
Box-folder 3:7
San Diego Flying Days Book Twelve Vol. 1 Part I,
1929
Box-folder 4:1
San Diego Flying Days Book Twelve Vol. 1 Part II,
1929
Box-folder 4:2
San Diego Flying Days Book Twelve Vol. 2 Part I,
1929
Box-folder 4:3
San Diego Flying Days Book Twelve Vol. 2 Part II,
1929
Box-folder 4:4
San Diego Flying Days Book Thirteen Part I,
1930
Box-folder 4:5
San Diego Flying Days Book Thirteen Part II,
1930
Box-folder 4:6
San Diego Flying Days Book Thirteen,
1930
Box-folder 5:1
San Diego Flying Days Book Fifteen,
1932
Box-folder 5:2
San Diego Flying Days Book Seventeen,
1934
