NASHVILLE ANTIQUE ARCHAEOLOGY REMAINING INV.
Lot 178:
Description
1929 10′ All Steel Variable Pitch Ford Tri-Motor Center Nose Propeller From the "City of Columbus" Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT) Flagship Airplane with Charles Lindbergh Connection. Charles Lindbergh worked with TAT from 1928 until 1930, when it merged to become Transcontinental & Western Air (T&WA). Lindbergh served as a chairman on TAT’s technical committee. Lindbergh helped design the airline’s transcontinental network (including the initial 1929 route), selected equipment, and organized the airline’s infrastructure. On July 7th, 1929 the TAT launched, in conjunction with Pennsylvania Railroad’s "Airway Limited, " the first transcontinental air-rail service from New York to Los Angels with Charles Lindbergh’s assistance (two years after his solo flight over the Atlantic). They first left New York in an overnight Pullman train that was named "The Airway Limited" by Amelia Earhart, who was also a part of the historic event. The next morning they arrived at Port Columbus, Ohio. It was there that Charles Lindbergh boarded the "City of Columbus" flagship airplane and flew west, refueling in St. Louis before landing in Waynoka, Oklahoma. They boarded another overnight train before finishing the final leg of the trip flying from Clovis, New Mexico to Los Angeles. This historic propeller was picked by Frank and Mike on "American Pickers" Season 16 Episode 9, "Hidden in Plane Sight" in Pennsylvania. The propeller was part of the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum in Philadelphia and was sold in an "Absolute Unrestricted Public Sale, By Order of the Trustees of the Penn Central Rail Road." The sale was conducted March 20-22, 1972 in Philadelphia. The previous owner said that Charles Lindbergh had an office in the "City of Columbus" flag ship airplane. Lindbergh would travel from city to city selling the Transcontinental Air Transport’s services. Both Mike and the owner called it "Important." Marked, "5291." Measures 10′ long X 9" wide. Comes with a 1932 bronze presentation plate that was presented to the President of the Pennsylvania Railroad, General W. W. Atterbury by the Directors, Officers and Employees of Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc. June 28, 1932. The bronze plaque is inscribed: "This propeller from the center motor of the ‘City of Columbus’ flag ship of transcontinental Air Transport fleet of airplanes which, in conjunction with Pennsylvania Railroads ‘Airway Limited, ‘ Inaugurated the first coast to coast air-rail service at port Columbus, July 8, 1929. Length of service 2520 Hours 44 minutes; Miles Traveled 277, 281; Number Revolutions 264,677,000." Includes a vintage photograph of Atterbury accepting the propeller, (2) paper clippings talking about General Atterbury receiving it and who all is pictured, (3) typed remarks made by individuals on the day he received the propeller, including General Atterbury, (2) 1932 letters from and to Atterbury discussing the propeller, and (1) leather covered folder titled, "Transcontinental’s First Propeller; Presented to General W. W. Atterbury; President Pennsylvania Railroad; June 28, 1932. Also comes with (2) photographs of Charles Lindbergh with the "City of Columbus" Ford Tri-Motor airplane in the background. There is no doubt that Lindbergh flew in this plane as a passenger numerous times. We can not image that Lindbergh never piloted this plane, but other than internet photos of Lindbergh in the plane, stating that he flew the plane, we have been unable to confirm he piloted it. Further research might yield definitive proof. Provenance the remaining inventory of Antique Archaeology, closed Nashville, Tennessee location.
Condition: Condition- Good condition with some paint loss. The bronze plate with this propeller confirms it has a lot of air time. Sold for collector purposes only. See photos.
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