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NOTE: I have recently acquired a literal treasure trove of WW1 and WW2 military items and will be listing them in the coming months. All of the items were destined for the landfill, until my sister in law rescued them! Stay tuned…
ATTENTION POSTCARD COLLECTORS!
It came to my attention that there are “Scrape bots” collecting rare RPPC images. In order thwart them, I am placing a piece of paper with my store name, “The Vintage Argonaut” over a corner with the least detail. I researched this extensively and this is the best current way. The old watermarks are obsolete- AI tools can easily erase and flawlessly fill what is behind the watermark!
TITLE: Rare 1914-1916 First Aero Squadron Aerial Photography & RPPC Archive – Birth of American Air Power (5-Piece Cohesive Set).
Up for sale is an extraordinary, historically significant 5-piece archive documenting the foundational dawn of United States tactical military aviation. This cohesive collection traces the 1st Aero Squadron from its early pre-war training grounds in California directly into active combat operations during the 1916 Pancho Villa Punitive Expedition. All postcard elements feature consistent, authentic period paper stock (including Kodak AZO and ROXO scroll stamp boxes), proving this archive was compiled by a single field photographer or darkroom technician during the campaign.
Archive Contents & Highlights:
Item 1: 1916 Columbus, NM Aerial Reconnaissance RPPC (Camp Furlong HQ) An exceptional overhead view showing the camp grid. Features a sharp, period-handwritten reverse notation reading "Hq 1st Aero Squadron 1916" with a corresponding blue alignment arrow on the front pointing directly to the Squadron Headquarters infrastructure.
Item 2: 1914-1915 North Island & Coronado Aerial RPPC. A crisp view capturing the cradle of U.S. military aviation prior to World War I. Clearly displays the prominent, historic Spanish Bight channel (pre-WWII infill) and the early Signal Corps Aviation School hangars along the shoreline where these pilots trained. Features the scarce Kodak ROXO scroll stamp box (1910-1925).
Item 3: 1916 Flight Line Fleet Aerial RPPC (7 Curtiss Jennies)
An aerial view of the squadron's fleet staged wing-to-wing in the desert dirt. Features the original darkroom negative inscription: "2500' Alt ... #45". Captures the unit at peak operational strength right around the historic March 19 deployment. Four-up triangles AZO stamp box backing.
Item 4: 1916 Mexico Forward Operating Base Canvas Hangars RPPC.
An incredibly rare visual record of the squadron's forward base deep inside Mexican territory (likely Dublán or Casas Grandes). Shows a vertical line of 10 specialized canvas field hangars guarding the fragile linen-and-wood aircraft from desert dust storms, flanked by an active support camp of Sibley and wall tents. Four-up triangles AZO backing.
Item 5: 1916 Flight Line Field Darkroom Contact Proof Print.
A spectacular pairing piece to Item 3. This is a smaller, borderless raw contact print proof featuring a completely blank back. It shares the identical exposure matrix as the flight-line postcard but represents a working proof pulled directly from the glass negative in a primitive field darkroom tray.
Condition Report: The archive is in Excellent Vintage Condition. The photographic emulsions retain remarkably strong contrast, deep sepia tones, and very minimal silvering for their 110-year age. The cards are completely unposted, unaddressed, and free of heavy creasing, album glue residue, or structural tears. Minor edge/corner wear consistent with careful handling over a century. (Please study the high-resolution scans for an exact visualization).
Shipping & Handling:Will be shipped securely inside individual archival-safe museum sleeves, packed flat between heavy rigid cardboard panels, and fully insured.
If you require further pictures or have any questions please ask. Will be well packed before being sent.
If you have any questions, please ask! Visit my store for more vintage ski patches, ski pins, ski tickets, ski brochures, t-shirts and various treasures.
