{"product_id":"vintage-1934-national-soaring-contest-group-photograph-elmira-ny-folder16-21","title":"National Soaring Contest Group Photo – Elmira, NY – July 3, 1934 – Fred T. Loomis Studio","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"261\" data-end=\"777\"\u003eThis rare \u003cstrong data-start=\"292\" data-end=\"330\"\u003eoriginal silver gelatin photograph\u003c\/strong\u003e documents a defining moment in early American gliding history—the \u003cstrong data-start=\"397\" data-end=\"425\"\u003eNational Soaring Contest\u003c\/strong\u003e held \u003cstrong data-start=\"431\" data-end=\"447\"\u003eJuly 3, 1934\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cstrong data-start=\"451\" data-end=\"471\"\u003eElmira, New York\u003c\/strong\u003e, long celebrated as the “cradle of American soaring.” The image, taken by respected Elmira commercial photographer \u003cstrong data-start=\"587\" data-end=\"605\"\u003eFred T. Loomis\u003c\/strong\u003e, captures approximately \u003cstrong data-start=\"630\" data-end=\"650\"\u003e60 men and women\u003c\/strong\u003e, including pioneering glider pilots, contest officials, and aviation enthusiasts, posed in front of event tents and signage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"779\" data-end=\"1109\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-start=\"783\" data-end=\"792\"\u003e1930s\u003c\/strong\u003e marked the golden era of American soaring, when pilots and engineers gathered annually in Elmira to push the boundaries of unpowered flight. Supported by aviation clubs, universities, and aerospace innovators, these contests helped lay the foundation for modern sailplane design and competitive soaring in the U.S.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1111\" data-end=\"1125\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1111\" data-end=\"1123\"\u003eDetails:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1126\" data-end=\"1663\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1126\" data-end=\"1161\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1128\" data-end=\"1161\"\u003eEvent: National Soaring Contest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1162\" data-end=\"1184\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1164\" data-end=\"1184\"\u003eDate: July 3, 1934\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1185\" data-end=\"1220\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1187\" data-end=\"1220\"\u003eLocation: Elmira, New York, USA\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1221\" data-end=\"1271\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1223\" data-end=\"1271\"\u003ePhotographer: \u003cstrong data-start=\"1237\" data-end=\"1255\"\u003eFred T. Loomis\u003c\/strong\u003e, Elmira, N.Y.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1272\" data-end=\"1334\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1274\" data-end=\"1334\"\u003eStudio Stamp: “Photographs Tell the Story” seal on reverse\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1414\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1337\" data-end=\"1414\"\u003eIn-negative Caption: “NATIONAL SOARING CONTEST – ELMIRA, NY – JULY 3, 1934”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1415\" data-end=\"1468\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1417\" data-end=\"1468\"\u003eFormat: Original silver gelatin print, sepia tone\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1469\" data-end=\"1547\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1471\" data-end=\"1547\"\u003eCondition: Excellent clarity; light edge wear and small age-related stains\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1548\" data-end=\"1663\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1550\" data-end=\"1663\"\u003eSubject: Group of ~60 individuals—pilots, officials, spectators—posed outdoors before contest signage and tents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1665\" data-end=\"2001\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1665\" data-end=\"1693\"\u003eHistorical Significance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1693\" data-end=\"1696\"\u003eThe Elmira soaring contests were the birthplace of organized competitive gliding in America. This photograph preserves a visual roll call of the sport’s early champions and advocates, many of whom influenced the development of American sailplane design and the establishment of national soaring records.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Ephemera Bureau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46645411840192,"sku":"Folder16-21","price":166.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0703\/7596\/4864\/files\/698bbeaeae909d2f3e26046500b473a0.jpg?v=1754673928","url":"https:\/\/theephemerabureau.com\/products\/vintage-1934-national-soaring-contest-group-photograph-elmira-ny-folder16-21","provider":"The Ephemera Bureau","version":"1.0","type":"link"}