Jackie Cooper in Baby Bowlus Glider – Columbia Pictures Production Still, Circa 1940s

This vintage original publicity photograph features actor Jackie Cooper seated in the cockpit of a Baby Bowlus glider, captured during nighttime filming for a Columbia Pictures production in the early 1940s. The Baby Bowlus, designed by Hawley Bowlus — a pioneer in American sailplane design and former construction supervisor for the Spirit of St. Louis — was a single-seat, high-performance glider known for its sleek wooden fuselage and excellent soaring capabilities.

The dramatic image shows Cooper in a field, hand on the canopy rim, with the glider’s polished wood finish and aerodynamic contours illuminated against the dark sky. The U.S. star-and-circle insignia is visible on the tail, and the distinctive strut-braced wing configuration of the Baby Bowlus is clearly recognizable.

The reverse side includes the original typed studio caption strip identifying Cooper, along with photographer credit to Hamilton Goldbaum. Handwritten notations and the word “glider” are also present, further authenticating the piece.

A rare crossover collectible appealing to aviation historians, vintage glider enthusiasts, and Hollywood memorabilia collectors, this image connects the glamour of Golden Age cinema with the artistry of American sailplane engineering.

• Date: Circa 1940s

• Glider: Baby Bowlus (Hawley Bowlus design)

• Photographer: Hamilton Goldbaum

• Dimensions: Approx. 8" x 10"

• Type: Vintage gelatin silver press photograph

• Condition: Excellent for age; light edge wear, strong tonal contrast, clean reverse with original caption

• Provenance: From a professional film publicity archive