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Description

Fine large pictorial map showing the important flights of Charles Lindbergh, including his famous transatlantic flight across the Atlantic, from May 20 to 21, 1927.

Lindbergh's flight took him from New York across the Atlantic Ocean from Roosevelt Field Long Island to Paris his airplane, The Spirit of St. Louis.

The map provides an index and details for the Lindbergh's other flights, including his first flight; flight after receiving pilot's wings; as air mail pilot; from San Diego, St. Louis to New York; National Tour; Mexico, Central and South America and the West Indies; and Canadian flights. The map has an elaborate cartouche with an American eagle and portrait of Lindbergh, also with biographical information. Illustrations include the U.S. Cruiser Memphis Bringing Captain Lindbergh Home, Columbus' Ship the Santa Maria, and Ferdinand Magellan's Ship.

In the spring of 1927, a number of pilots and airplane designers aspired to be the first to cross the Atlantic between New York and Paris nonstop, spurred on by ambition and the $25,000 Orteig prize offered by a New York businessman. It was a dangerous undertaking and other crews had disappeared or crashed to their deaths preparing for the attempt. The 25 year-old Lindbergh's rivals were more seasoned and experienced than he, including Commander Richard E. Byrd, a Navy aviator and renowned polar explorer. The competitors gathered at the airfield on Long Island in mid May and waited for the right weather conditions. The impending event captured the public imagination, and crowds showed up each day hoping to see the start of an historic event. Lindbergh took off on May 20. After 33 hours in the air -- flying solo, without sleeping, and coping with adverse weather conditions -- he touched down at an airfield outside Paris. The event transformed the hitherto obscure airmail pilot into an international celebrity and hero.

Although Lindbergh's distance record was broken only a few weeks later by another pilot who made it to Berlin, it was Lindbergh whose story captured the popular imagination. In addition to the Orteig Prize, he received the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration.  Lindbergh went on to become an advocate for commercial aviation, a prize-winning author, international explorer, inventor and conservationist.