Property from the Archives of The American Geographical Society The A. G. S. is an organization of professional geographers and other devotees of geography and is the oldest nationwide geographical organization in the U. S. The Society's mission is to expand geographical knowledge. It has a well-earned reputation for presenting and interpreting that knowledge to professional geographers and the general public, especially policy makers. Charles Lindbergh was an important supporter of the Society and donated a number of items, two of which are being offered in this sale. These pieces are being deaccessioned to enable the Society to further its mission of geographical research and education.

A Bausch & Lomb bubble sextant used by Charles A. Lindbergh on his record setting transcontinental flight in 1930

BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL COMPANY, CIRCA 1930

Details

A Bausch & Lomb bubble sextant used by Charles A. Lindbergh on his record setting transcontinental flight in 1930
Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, circa 1930
in black anondized steel, with double grip, sight, rubber eye-cup, adjustable mirror, battery compartment for night light, artificial horizon, two filters, calibrated dials with adjustment wheel reading degrees and minutes. In a fitted box, painted green, with extra bulbs, screw driver, razor blade. Signed C.A. Lindbergh on inside cover of the box, and includes a hand written note from Col. Lindbergh stating the sextant used on the Los Angeles-New York 1930 flight (the trans-continental record) and on the New York-China 1931 flight via Canada, Alaska, and Kamchatka; along with display tags from various exhibits
6 x 9 1/8 x 7¼ in. (15.2 x 23.2 x 18.4 cm.) box

Lot Essay

This sextant was used in two of Charles A. Lindbergh's most important flights. On April 20, 1930 he and his wife set out from Glendale, California in a new Lockheed Sirius monoplane for a trans-Continental flight to test travelling at higher altitudes. They flew between 10,000 and 15,500 feet, and set a new trans-continental record to Roosevelt Field in 14hours, 45minutes and 33 seconds, besting Capt. Frank M. Hawks record by three hours. They made one stop and his wife, Elizabeth Morrow Lindbergh, acted as navigator and co-pilot using this sextant. The sextant was also used on his New York to China flight in 1931 as described in the following lot.

More from Maritime including Scientific and Engineering Works of Art

View All