Trophy: “First Transcontinental Air Excursion”
American: 1935
Silver-plated metal on bakelite base
28 inches high; 10-inch diameter base
together with
First Transcontinental Air Excursion of America
American: 1935
Hand-colored photograph
9.5 x 19 inches, image size
Provenance: Estate of Morris Kipp, New Jersey
$5,200
Transcontinental Airline Trophy - 1935
Silver-Plated with World Globe and Airplane
Silver-Plated with World Globe and Airplane
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
A silver-plated trophy and accompanying photograph commemorating the first transcontinental “Air Excursion” by Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA) on November 19, 1935. The tapering cylindrical trophy supports three standing eagles with large upraised wings holding a terrestrial globe topped with a twin-propeller airplane. The 4-inch terrestrial globe has engraved and hatch-mark shaded continents. The cylindrical body of the trophy is decorated with neoclassical festoons and ornaments framing an inscription, above a raised wreath base. It stands on a round tapering black bakelite stand having a series of inscribed sterling silver shields listing the names and home towns of the passengers, all of whom were from suburbs of Philadelphia. The trophy is accompanied by a photograph of members of the excursion posed in front of the airplane. These items come from the estate of Morris Kipp, the businessman who sponsored the event and recruited the participants.
Transcontinental and Western Air formed in 1930 as a merger between Western Air Express, an airline founded in 1925, and Transcontinental Air Transport. The latter was nicknamed the “Lindbergh Line” after Charles Lindbergh, who became the company’s technical advisor (following his famous trans-Atlantic solo flight) and mapped out flight routes. In October 1930, TWA began regular coast-to-coast air service, with an overnight stop in Kansas City. In 1950 it became officially known as TWA or Trans World Airlines.
Inscription on Trophy: FIRST/ TRANSCONTINENTAL/ AIR EXCURSION/ TWA/ LINDBERGH LINE/ SPONSORED BY/ MORRIS KIPP/ Nov. 19 - 1935
Series of shield-shaped plaques, each inscribed with the name and address of one or two of 13 passengers: Miss M. Estelle Levering, Jenkintown, PA; Mr. and Mrs. August L. Martin, Lansdale, PA.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Ridington, Lansdale, PA.; Mr. And Mrs. Richard M.W. Ridington, Lansdale PA.; Mr. Elmer G. Kulp, Lansdale PA.; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Becker, Kulpesville, PA.; Mr. Joseph Kline, Lansdale PA.; Miss Leona Becker, Kulpesville, PA.; Mr. George W. Knipe, Lansdale, PA.
Description affixed to photograph: First Transcontinental Air Excursion of America/ Sponsor and Organizer—Morris…Kipp… / November 19, 1935. L to R 1st row: TWA Agent, Mrs. R.W. Ridington, Miss Leona Becker, Miss M. Estelle Levering, Mr. Elmer G. Kulp, Mrs. C.R. Ridington, Mr. C.H. Ridington, Mr. R.W. Ridington, Mr. George W. Knipe, Editor, Mr. Arthur Becker, Mrs. Arthur, Mrs. August Martin, Mr. August Martin, Mr. Jos. Kline, 2d Row: L to R. Mr. J.W. Clemsen TWA MGR., PILOT TWA. 3d Row L to R. Morris Kipp Sponsor, TWA Pilot.
Condition: Very good, with only minor wear, having been professionally re-plated. Photograph good, matted in original frame.