Buy this book on-line Parker, Billy : Original Portrait Photograph - Billy Parker
Original black-and-white portrait photograph of aviator Billy Parker. Parker is shown in a suit, posing with his 1912 pusher plane in an open field. Signed by Billy Parker on front of photo in blue pen: "Billy Parker, [Oct. 14?], 1958." Photo is mounted in a black wooden picture frame with a glass front, brown paper backing, and metal wire on back for display. Photo with frame: 8 3/4" x 10." "Armstead's Art Store" (of Alabama) tipped in on back. Backing has a few closed tears and stains. Photograph has a few vertical striations but that may be part of the original development process. Both photograph and frame are Fine. There is a typed description tipped in on back (with a typed notation, "#761 D," and date, "July 18, 1957") which reads, "Billy Parker, manager of aviation sales for Phillips Petroleum Company, stands by his 1912 pusher plane, which is powered by an 80-horsepower Gnome rotary engine made in France. Parker built the plane originally for exhibition purposes." Billy Parker (1899-1981) was an American pilot and a pioneer in the field of aviation. Born in Oklahoma City, Parker began his aviation career at an early age and spent much of his youth in Colorado where he first began flying. In the summer of 1912, Parker built a pusher plane using his own materials and a Gnome engine. Parker then took to the air as one of the few pilots flying over the Colorado region at the time. In 1916, Parker joined the United States Army and was part of General Pershing's expedition to Mexico. Parker was later assigned as a civilian flight instructor in the aviation division of the Signal Corps as World War I drew near. During World War I, Parker was assigned as a test pilot for the U.S. Aircraft Corporation and then reassigned as the chief flight instructor for the Dewey Airplane Company in Dewey, Oklahoma. Parker went on to become the manager of Phillips Petroleum Company's aviation division. Also of note is Parker's invention of the variable-pitch propeller and his membership in the Early Birds club which was open only to pilots who began flying before December 17, 1916.. Photographic Image. Book Condition: Collectible-Fine. Binding: No Binding Click here for full details of this book, to ask a question or to buy it on-line. Bibliophile Bookbase probably offers multiple copies of Parker, Billy : Original Portrait Photograph - Billy Parker. Click here to select from a complete list of available copies of this book. Bibliophile Bookbase lists over 5 million books, maps and prints including antiquarian books, out-of-print books, libri antichi, collectables and first editions. Bibliophile Bookbase for antiquarian books, maps and prints. |