Ross-Barrett Historical Aeronautical Documents Collection

Collection contains historical correspondence and documents related to early aviators, scientists, organizations, military of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

James Sadler (1751-1828) was the first Englishman to rise in a hot air balloon. Collection contains a letter from Sadler to Lord Mulgrave requesting an interview to discuss an idea that would help defeat Napoleon

Charles Romme (1744-1805) was a french scientist and author of many works on navigation, cartography, and marine science. Collection contains letters and notes in French

Peter Simon Pallas (1741-1811) was a German naturalist. Collection contains a letter from Pallas to M. Romme.

French fighter pilots during World War I. Les Cigognes or Group de Combat I/2 was formed October 19, 1916. Also known as The Storks. Collection contains an extract of order no. 391. Includes signatures of 12 pilots.

Collection contains a manuscript handwritten in Italian by an unknown author on the subject of "calcolo del moto orizzontale di un aerostato" (horizontal motion of an aerostat).

Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin (1838-1917) was German military officer who developed the rigid airship, the Zeppelin. Collection contains a letter from Zeppelin in Friedrichshafen, Germany to the editor of the Neuen Wiener Tagblatt newspaper in which Zeppelin defends himself against the charge of having developed Schwartz's discovery of the rigid airship.

William Le Queux (1864-1927) was a British author known for writing some of the first spy novels. His ideas and books lead to the British Secret Service being formed. Collection contains a typed manuscript of unpublished novel, The Hornet's Nest.

Collection contains a handwritten glossary of French and English terms used in aviation and in aircraft. Includes illustrations and diagrams.

Collection contains a Royal Air Force log book kept by Raikes contains date and hour of flight, airplane type, course, names of pilot and passenger, and remarks. Some pages contain signature of Oxford University Air Squadron instructors.Capatin A. F. G. Raikes was an Army Officer.

The Royal Aero Club was founded in 1901 and was responsible for private flying in Great Britain. Collection contains an account book with names of members, addresses, membership status

Louis Blériot (1872-1936) was a french aviation pioneer and the first pilot to fly over the English Channel. Jaques Mortane (1883-1939) was an author known for writing about aviation. Collection contains an invitation (in French with translation) to lunch from Blériot to Jacques Mortane in Paris, France. Includes translation from French.

Jacqueline Cochran (1906-1980) was a female aviator. Founded Women's Air Force Service Pilots to ferry airplanes from the United States to England during World War II. Collection contains a letter from Cochran in New York City to Alice Norton, Public Relations Officer, Denver Public Library (Denver, Colo.) thanking Norton for press clippings.

Collection contains two letters from Sanson to Edmond Marey-Monge discuss and defend Sanson's book, L'Aeronautique des gens du monde.

Collection contains a photocopy of report prepared by Chief of Air Service (Information Group) for publication in a proposed book on the New Army to be issued by Century Co. as per instructions contained in letter of The Adjutant General of the Army, 12 June 1920.

Charles Linbergh (1902-1974) was an American aviator who made the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean on May 20-21, 1927. Collection contains Charles Lindbergh's autograph on Brown Palace Hotel (Denver, Colo.) stationery.

No. 46 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force, formed in 1916, was disbanded and re-formed three times before its last disbandment in 1975. It served in both World War I and World War II. Great Britain. Royal Air Force. Squadron 46. Collection contains an outline of squadron history since proceeding overseas October 20, 1916. Includes marginal notes by Richard Viall, Lt., R.F.C.

Julia Clarke (1880-1912) was the third woman to qualify for a pilot's licence in the United States. She died when she fell from her biplane in France on June 17, 1912. Collection contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, Aero Club of America certificates, telegrams, posters, memorabilia.

James Stewart (1908-1997) was a motion picture and stage actor who also served in U.S. Air Force. Letter was written while Stewart was filming The Spirit of St. Louis. Collection contains a letter from Stewart to Marjory Benjamin, Philadelphia, Pa. replying to her request for an autograph.

Erik H. Nelson (1888-1970) was a member of a team of pilots and crewmen who were the first to fly around the world in 1924. Collection contains a letter from Nelson to Marjory Benjamin, Washington, D.C. replying to her request for an autograph. Includes envelope and business card.