Lot 124
(Aviation Archive Belonging to Clara Adams). Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Clara Graubau Adams (1884-1971) was a cultured, intellectually curious woman who became fascinated by aviation after her first flight in 1914 and who gained renown as a "historic first flighter" or "persistent first flighter," always as a passenger. Married to wealthy industrialist George L. Adams, who owned tanneries, she had the leisure and the wherewithal to pursue her fascination. Through her family's relation to former German president Paul von Hindenburg, Clara gained access to Count Zeppelin, Dr. Hugo Eckener and other German aviation pioneers. In 1928 she was the only woman passenger on the maiden voyage of the Graf Zeppelin and became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic. In 1931, she flew in the giant flying boat, the Dornier DO-X, from Rio to New York, and in 1936, she was on the maiden flight of the dirigible Hindenberg to the United States. In 1939 she became the "fastest passenger" to circumnavigate the globe, completing the trip in 16 days. Her 1935 passport (present) lists her occupations as lecturer and writer.
This archive includes four diaries and four notebooks chock-full of photographs and souvenirs of her travels. Items in the notebooks include: ten pieces of the original cover of the Graf Zeppelin, given to Clara by Dr. Eckener; sizes range from 7"x4½" to 4"2", with most in between. There are also two pieces of fabric from the U.S. Akron, 15"x5" and 48"x3¾" (from the inner shield). There are approximately 250 photographs of varying sizes, contained in three notebooks, with some 30 items signed by Clara including her passport, leaflets, brochures, flyers, postcards, and photographs. Many photographs document Clara's own flights and some of the early aviators with whom she flew; Thea Rasche, Opal Kunz, and Pauline Avril inscribed and signed photos to her. A 1933 TLS with holograph note from Augustus Post invites Clara to go around the world with him the next summer. Two photo postcards of the Graf Zeppelin are signed by Dr. Hugo Eckener, and there are 12 photos of Felix von Luckner ("The Sea Devil") who would sink 14 Allied ships in World War II.
The four leather-bound diaries cover much of the years 1913 through 1919 and contain aviation news: seeing pilot Lincoln Beachy fall to his death during a monoplane exhibition (1915), going up in a plane with Marjorie Stinson (1917), going over 2,000 feet in the air with Capt. Walter Johnson (her 3rd trip up--"intensely thrilling"), visiting various aviation schools and exhibitions, as well as news of World War I, the Spanish influenza epidemic, and Jack Dempsey winning the world championship. This is a treasure trove that must be seen to be appreciated.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 10,000.
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| Realized $3,120 |
