This rare original sepia photo originates from the estate archives of archives of famous photojournalist and aviation inventor, Russell Froelich, Sr. This photo has been in private hands for over a century. The balance of the collection was donated by the Froelich and his son to The Smithsonian Institution and the Missouri Historical Society. Includes Provenance.
Watermarks
Only appear on the scan for this listing, to protect the interests of the buyer and limit plagiarism of the image.
Authentication Documents Included with Order:
- Authenticated as a Type 1 Original photo by PSA/DNA (Letter of Authenticity Certificate # 1P15397) which will be included with order.
- Additional authentication is provided by email and text messages from the photographer's surviving son, Russell Froelich, Jr.
- This original photo has been out of the public domain until now.
- The photo is Not Signed.
Dimensions: 5"H x 8-1/2"W
Condition:
- Reverse side of print has remnants of black scrapbook paper. Image is in Very Good Condition with a diagonally trimmed LL corner as well as some minor flaws.
- Museum Quality ready for Framing, Archiving, Display or Scanning for Resale.
- Free of Copyright History - Buyer Takes Full Ownership.
Sorry - No Returns & No Refunds on this item
Why? Since this is a photograph which can be scanned in high resolution for resale, repurposing or distribution online, the original is not returnable. For this reason, you are encouraged to thoroughly read the description, carefully view the image, confirm the legitimacy of the LOA by locating it on the PSA Card website and ask any questions you have before purchasing.
Payment Grace Period:
We allow a 2-week grace period before canceling for non-payment. However, if buyer needs more time (e.g. for corporate or organizational net-30 A/P policies), we can accommodate.
Questions
- Please examine the images very carefully!
- Scanned images may not pick up the exact tones/hues of the original item.
- Uploads can diminish quality of the picture.
- All listed items described as best we can.
- PLEASE ask questions before buying.
- We do not always list every little defect.
- We try to list what we think is important.
- Nobody likes surprises with a defective item(s) so, again, please ask questions if you're not 100% certain before bidding or purchasing.
Shipping and Multi-Purchase
- We do combine shipping. If you purchase multiple items, please add each item to your cart on the listing home page and when finished check out and request a total.
- If you win multiple auctions, please don't pay for each item individually. I will send you an invoice with a combined shipping amount for all of your auction wins once they are completed.
- All items are delivered in secure packaging with Fragile labels.
Photo Type Definitions
- Type 1 - 1st generation photo developed from the original negative.
- Type 2 - Photo produced from the original negative (several years after original creation)
- Type 3 - Photo developed by wire transmission or copy negative (5 or more years after original creation)
- Type 4 - Photo developed by wire transmission or copy negative (many years after original production)
Provenance - Photographer's Bio:
Russell Froelich, Sr. (1890–1958) was a pioneer of both early aviation and aerial photography who took thousands of lasting images of the St. Louis region for the city’s newspaper outlets from 1911 to the 1950s, helped the war effort in WWI with aerial mapping, was a color photography innovator and even invented a monoplane.
In his twenties, he began both designing and helping to build airplanes with early local flyers, such as Tom Benoist of the Benoist Aircraft Company, leading to the role as official photographer for the manufacturer.
American entry into WWI led Froelich to put his talents and skills to wartime use. He began taking aerial photographs from wing-mounted cameras that he improvised to fit given situations and flight conditions, helping the US Army Signal Corps develop terrain maps of Europe.
After the War, Froelich worked as a beat photographer for St. Louis newspapers, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, and the St. Louis Star. He eventually managed the photography team which gave him access to a wide range of subject matter including regional sports teams, aviation pioneers and politicians. He had the ability to experiment with action photography and the evolution of color techniques.