8 - [AERONAUTICS]. GASTON, Raymond de. Airplanes of 1910. A technical study with dimensioned drawings of most of the major airplanes.

[AERONAUTICS]. GASTON, Raymond de. Airplanes of 1910. A technical study with dimensioned drawings of most of the major airplanes. First edition of this rare technical study on the landmark aircraft from the very early days of aviation, illustrated with numerous period photographs and remarkably precise diagrams. A fine copy, attractively presented with its original color covers intact. Paris, Librairie Aéronautique, n.d. [1910]. In-4 (270 x 220 mm), half-shagreen with aubergine-colored corners, spine with cold-stamped raised bands, author, title, publisher, and date in gold lettering, illustrated covers and spine preserved (Ateliers Laurenchet). Approximately 100 pages (unpaginated) in two columns, numerous diagrams, photographs, and scale drawings (front, side, and top views) in black within the text, 1 large fold-out chart (specifications of the aircraft described). Spine sun-faded; slight marks on the original covers. First edition of this valuable study on the “Golden Age” of aviation pioneers, providing a remarkably precise technical inventory of the aircraft that marked the very beginnings of the conquest of the skies. With a preface by Jules Armengaud Jeune, the book includes a study on propellers by aviation pioneer Victor Tatin. It features a detailed presentation of the legendary monoplanes and biplanes that participated in the major air shows of the era (Antoinette, Blériot XI, Curtiss, Santos-Dumont’s “Demoiselle,” Farman, Grade, Hanriot, REP/Robert Esnault-Pelterie, Sommer, Wright, etc.). Each aircraft is accompanied by a technical data sheet listing its wing area, dimensions, engine type (Anzani, Gnome, REP), and control system, along with scale drawings essential for understanding their aerodynamics. A very fine copy, beautifully produced in the Laurenchet workshops.