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Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
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[Christofferson family early California aviation collection].
BANC PIC 2003.109--PIC box 1; BANC PIC 2003.109--AX; BANC PIC 2003.109--fALB vol. 2; BANC PIC 2003.109--ffALB vol. 3; ...
Collection Overview

Title:

[Christofferson family early California aviation collection]

Creator/Contributor:

Christofferson family.

Abstract:

Snapshots, photographic postcards, professionally produced photographs and clippings related to early aviation in on the west coast and the activities of Christofferson family members in particular. Photographs depict aviators Silas Christofferson, Harry Christofferson, Goodselll Christofferson, and possibly Harvey Christofferson. Others depicted include Joe Boquel, Lincoln Beachey, Art Smith, Malcolm Lockhheed, Allan Lockheed, Katherine Stinson and William Starling Burgess. Various planes are depicted, including the Spirit of St. Louis, Curtiss Racer, Verville Sperry Racer, Christofferson Flying Boat, Burgess-Wright Model F, hydroplanes and a tractor biplane. Many plane wrecks are depicted, including the fatal crashes of Goodsell Christofferson, Fred Ochner and Tom Gue. Also includes views of the buildings and grounds of the Christofferson Aircraft Manufacturing Company and the Christofferson Aviation School, as well as other locations such as the St. Louis Flying Field; San Carlos Airfield; Quantico, Virginia; and unidentified United States Naval Air Station and United States Marine Corps locations. Other subjects include aircraft design, plane engines, aerial views, an unidentified military funeral and baseball player Christy Mathewson. One photograph album (vol. 2) pertains to the family of Harry P. Christofferson; another (vol. 4) to the Loughead Aircraft Manufacturing Company (later renamed the Lockheed Aircraft Company).

Date:

1910 (issued)

Subject:

n-us-ca
Christofferson, Silas -- Pictorial works
Christofferson, Harry P -- 1884-1968 -- Pictorial works
Christofferson, Goodsell -- Pictorial works
Beachey, Lincoln J -- 1887-1915 -- Pictorial works
Smith, Art -- 1890-1926 -- Pictorial works
Stinson, Katherine -- 1891-1977 -- Pictorial works
Burgess, W. Starling (William Starling) -- 1878-1947 -- Pictorial works
Christofferson Aviation Co. -- Pictorial works
Christofferson Aviation School -- Pictorial works
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation -- Pictorial works
Aeronautics -- California -- Photographs
Airplanes -- California -- Photographs
Aircraft industry -- California -- Photographs
Air pilots -- California -- Photographs

Note:

Title devised by cataloger.
Believed to be, at least in part, compiled by an unidentified member of the Christofferson family. Album leaves and some loose prints include annotations reflecting organizational categories of compiler/collector.
Christofferson family early California aviation collection, BANC PIC 2003.109, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Purchase ; from Lost Horizon Books ; 2003.
Brothers Harry and Silas Christofferson started their first company, Christofferson Aeroplanes, in Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA in 1910. In 1912 they started the San Francisco based company Christofferson Aviation Co. along with their brothers Goodsell and Harvey. They manufactured airplanes from 1912-1920, and also ran a flight school in Redwood City, Calif. Silas Christofferson carried passengers in 1913 by hydroplane between San Francisco and Oakland harbors, becoming, perhaps, the first commercial aviator. Silas, Goodsell, and Harvey all died in flying accidents, in 1916, 1918, and 1927, respectively.

Type:

graphic
Photograph albums.
Scrapbooks.
Postcards.
Aerial photographs.

Physical Description:

photoprint
Approximately 540 photographs in 1 box, 3 albums and 1 oversize folder : gelatin silver prints ; 24 x 37 cm or smaller

Language:

English

Identifier:

BANC PIC 2003.109--PIC box 1
BANC PIC 2003.109--AX
BANC PIC 2003.109--fALB vol. 2
BANC PIC 2003.109--ffALB vol. 3
BANC PIC 2003.109--fALB vol. 4
BANC PIC 2003.109

Origin:

California