PBA Galleries

56 pp. Profusely illustrated from photographs & other sources; numerous advertisements. 30.5x23 cm (12¼x9¾"), original color pictorial wrappers designed by William E. McKee.

Rare and attractive program for the 1936 national air races, conducted under the auspices of the National Aeronautic Association, with striking art deco style pictorial wrappers. In 1936, the site for the races was moved to Los Angeles Mines Field due to the Cleveland Airport expansion, and the requirement of moving the grandstands back. The Bendix Transcontinental Race, which began in New York and ended at the Los Angeles field, with the planes expected to land on the opening day of the air races, featured Benny Howard in Mr. Mulligan, Joe Jacobson in a Northrop Gamma 2A, Louise Thaden flying a Beech C-17 Staggerwing finishing first, Amelia Earhart in her new Lockheed Electra, Laura Ingalls in a Lockheed Orion 92 Special, William Gulick and William Warner in a Vultee V1-A, and others. Earhart was there to witness the Amelia Earhart Trophy Race for women pilots only. The Thompson Trophy race which featured a $20,000 prize was won by Michel Detroyat, the first and only year that a foreign aircraft and pilot were entered in the Thompson Trophy Race. The art deco cover art in red, white, blue & silver was by William E. McKee (1901-1988). noted Los Angeles poster artist, who illustrated ads for Goodrich Silvertone Tires, and Coca Cola on inside of covers. With two copies of the Sept. 7th Schedule of Events laid in (one with corner chipped). OCLC/WorldCat lists only one copy of the program, at the California State Library.