.jpg?w=1)
拍品專文
Sold with two bestowal documents for the Air Defence League Cross, First Class (dated 10.8.1934), named to each of the brothers; two bestowal cards for the 1st Air Force Regiment Badge (dated 6.7.1934), similarly named; a single bestowal card for the 4th Air Force Regiment (dated 2.7.1934), named jointly to the brothers; Automobile Club of Pommerania Honorary Diploma (dated 18.7.1934), named jointly to the brothers; a photocopy of Benjamin Adamowicz's Pilot's Log Book, with entries for 1934-35; the book, 'Przez Atlantyk' (2), giving details (in Polish) of the brothers' epic flight; a signed postcard of the brothers; and other documentation.
The Adamowicz brothers were born on the family smallholding close to Krajska, about 70 kilometres north of Minsk, Jozef in May 1893 and Boleslaw in May 1898. Even though at this time the area in question was part of the Imperial Russian Empire, they were Polish citizens. Emigrating to the U.S.A. in search of work, and to avoid service in the Russian Army, they started out life with a succession of menial - and poorly paid - jobs, as was the emigrants' lot. But hard work eventually enabled them to establish their own highly successful soda-pop factory in Brooklyn, a business which brought with it the financial security to pursue their mutual interest in aviation and the ultimate goal of flying to Poland.
At length this goal was achieved in their single-engine Bellanca J6-9 monoplane, "The City of Warsaw", when they took-off from Harbour Grace on 29.6.1934. The flight was generally uneventful, although icy conditions and a fuel leak kept the brothers alert, as did the foggy conditions encountered on arrival in France - they were compelled to land on farmland at Flers d'Orne in Normandy. From there they set off for Paris Le Bourget, where they were greeted by the Polish Ambassador, Mr. Chlapowski, and thence to Torun in Poland via Germany. With the Warsaw Air Regiment as their official escort, the brothers landed in the capital on 2.7.1934, amidst much rejoicing and a formal reception from Major Lskowski, representing the city of Warsaw, and Mr. Sobol of the Polish Air Club.
Thus ensued a series of receptions which culminated with their meeting with the President of Poland on 7 July. A few days later they were invested with the Order of Polonia Restituta, Fourth Class, by the Minister of Communications, prior to embarking on a tour of the country. In this latter stage of their journey they were to receive further awards and Honorary Membership of assorted Air Regiments, Clubs and Societies, a cross section of which are represented by the above described collection.
Although not the first to fly the Atlantic, or indeed as distinguished as such fellow Polish aviators as Skarzynski, the two brothers had still accomplished a remarkable feat. Indeed it was an early indication of the type of determination and bravery that was to become typical of the gallant Free Polish Pilots who fought in the 1939-45 War.
The Adamowicz brothers were born on the family smallholding close to Krajska, about 70 kilometres north of Minsk, Jozef in May 1893 and Boleslaw in May 1898. Even though at this time the area in question was part of the Imperial Russian Empire, they were Polish citizens. Emigrating to the U.S.A. in search of work, and to avoid service in the Russian Army, they started out life with a succession of menial - and poorly paid - jobs, as was the emigrants' lot. But hard work eventually enabled them to establish their own highly successful soda-pop factory in Brooklyn, a business which brought with it the financial security to pursue their mutual interest in aviation and the ultimate goal of flying to Poland.
At length this goal was achieved in their single-engine Bellanca J6-9 monoplane, "The City of Warsaw", when they took-off from Harbour Grace on 29.6.1934. The flight was generally uneventful, although icy conditions and a fuel leak kept the brothers alert, as did the foggy conditions encountered on arrival in France - they were compelled to land on farmland at Flers d'Orne in Normandy. From there they set off for Paris Le Bourget, where they were greeted by the Polish Ambassador, Mr. Chlapowski, and thence to Torun in Poland via Germany. With the Warsaw Air Regiment as their official escort, the brothers landed in the capital on 2.7.1934, amidst much rejoicing and a formal reception from Major Lskowski, representing the city of Warsaw, and Mr. Sobol of the Polish Air Club.
Thus ensued a series of receptions which culminated with their meeting with the President of Poland on 7 July. A few days later they were invested with the Order of Polonia Restituta, Fourth Class, by the Minister of Communications, prior to embarking on a tour of the country. In this latter stage of their journey they were to receive further awards and Honorary Membership of assorted Air Regiments, Clubs and Societies, a cross section of which are represented by the above described collection.
Although not the first to fly the Atlantic, or indeed as distinguished as such fellow Polish aviators as Skarzynski, the two brothers had still accomplished a remarkable feat. Indeed it was an early indication of the type of determination and bravery that was to become typical of the gallant Free Polish Pilots who fought in the 1939-45 War.