1927 Personal Aviation Scrapbook – Monocoupe 19, Kelly Field, de Havilland Aircraft & Early U.S. Aviation History

This rare original aviation scrapbook from the late 1920s captures a personal journey through the formative years of American flight. Rich with handwritten captions, military and civilian aircraft imagery, and iconic aviation locations, this one-of-a-kind artifact provides an intimate look into early aviation culture in the United States—especially in Texas and Illinois, both key aviation hubs during the era.

Among the most notable aircraft documented is the Monocoupe 19, photographed in 1927 at Chanute Field, Illinois—a compact, enclosed monoplane popular among barnstormers and flight schools. Another highlight includes an image labeled “D.H.K.M.T.2 in flight,” likely a reference to a de Havilland DH-series aircraft, seen operating near K.F.T. (Kelly Field, Texas)—one of the most significant U.S. Army aviation training bases of the early 20th century.

Scrapbook Highlights:

• Locations Identified:

  • Galveston, Texas (Seawall, 1927)

  • Chanute Field, Illinois

  • Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, TX

  • Kelly Field, Texas (K.F.T.)

• Aircraft Documented:

  • Monocoupe 19 – High-wing monoplane, 1927, Chanute Field

  • Possible de Havilland DH-series aircraft (e.g., DH-4, DH-9)

  • Glimpses of early flight operations and possible flight training missions

• People Identified:

  • “Johnny J.” and “Henry F. Brickey” – potentially early military or aviation trainees

• Format:

  • Loose and mounted photos on scrapbook pages

  • Handwritten captions throughout

  • Likely created by a pilot, cadet, or aviation enthusiast during firsthand experiences

Historical Significance:
This collection offers an authentic window into interwar American aviation, merging civilian and military aviation cultures just as flight was transitioning from novelty to necessity. It features:

• Aircraft and fields that were part of the U.S. military aviation backbone

• The evolving civilian aviation boom, including barnstormers and flight enthusiasts

• A personalized and handwritten historical record rarely found intact

Such scrapbooks are incredibly rare and sought after by:

• Aviation museums (particularly in Texas or Illinois)

• Military history institutions

• Private collectors seeking early aviation Americana