Silver photographs, various sizes, the largest approx. 16.5x21.5 cm (6½x8½"), the smallest approx. 7x11 cm (2¾x4¼"); most loose in corner mounts. Some are commercial images captioned in the negatives (the type available at the PX), but most are amateur photographs of candid nature. The albums measure approx. 16x33 cm (10¼x13"), black leather and black cloth.
Fascinating and historically significant photograph albums, apparently assembled by one C.C. Henderson, whose identity tag is present. The albums are chronological in order, and trace the Langley's service starting with its conversion from the collier U.S.S. Jupiter to the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Langley (beginning with its journey through the Panama Canal as the Jupiter in 1919 - these earliest photos being real-photo postcards that are glued to leaves). Next we find the converted carrier (a landing deck was fitted over the main superstructure), with planes on the deck, Rear Admiral Joseph M.Reeves and Commander Kenneth Whiting present. Following that, the Langley visits Haiti, and passes again through the Panama Canal to join the Pacific Battle Fleet, with an inspection by Theodor Douglas Robinson, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, also Rear Admirals W. A. Moffett and J. M. Reeves. Stops at San Diego and Hawaii are followed by a stay at Mare Island (Vallejo, California) for repair, then Monterey, Los Angles and back through the Panama Canal. Though there are interesting photographs of the places visited, and many of other naval ships, the most significant views are of the carrier and its airplanes, both on the deck and in the air. Laid into the albums is a copy of "The Zoom: Aircraft Battle Fleet," for July 24, 1925, 4-page newsletter published weekly at Pearl Harbor for aircraft squadron personnel, with a picture of the Langley on the first page. The two albums comprise a marvelous record of the first U.S. aircraft carrier and her early voyages, put together by an obvious participant in the events, and a one seemingly enthralled by naval aviation.