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Philadelphia Rapid Transit Air Service Photos

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Lot of 5 Philadelphia Rapid Transit Air Service original sepia photographs, c. 1925-26 [the cabin interior dated: 10-12-25] Each displaying events from the inauguration of what was the first regularly scheduled daily airline service in the United States. The service was organized by the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co. with one route between Philadelphia, Washington, and Norfolk expressly for the purpose of transporting visitors to the sesquicentennial Exposition. The images include: 1) Christening of the Fokker aircraft used in this service, Navy Yard, Phila. 2) Inaguration of Hoover Field, Washington, DC, an airport created expressly for this service; namesake Herbert Hoover is seen at center 3) PRT Air Service aircraft "Wilbur" at the Norfolk terminal. 4) Fokker Cabin interior showing the "Go By Air - Philadelphia/Washington/Norfolk" timetables on the bulkhead. 5) Twin-image manufacturer's publicity photo of the Fokker Trimotor of the type used in this service. NOTE: The "Philadelphia Rapid Transit Air Service" markings on the aircraft can be seen clearly in the Hoover Field and Norfolk photographs, and with magnification on the christening image. PRT identification signage can also be seen on the side of the small Norfolk terminal building. The aircraft christening and Hoover Field images are reproduced in a 1926 PRT company bulletin owned by the Smithsonian Institution Air Museum archives, which describes the background and success of this pioneering airline.

all are mounted on old album board; some margins trimmed on all but the Norfolk terminal image; christening photo with two approx. 1" areas of light abrasion toward bottom; Hoover photograph with linear split toward right edge; publicity twin photos with center linear fold line; the lower image with diagonal abrasion line in left half.

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