🛩️ 1935 Primary Glider Press Photo – Austrian Alps Flight, NYT Wide World Stamp (Mariazell)

Grace in simplicity—this original 1935 press photo captures a solitary glider soaring above the snowy Austrian Alps near Mariazell, issued by The New York Times / Wide World Photos with a poetic French-language caption.

This is an original press photograph from December 4, 1935, distributed internationally by The New York Times / Wide World Photos, depicting a primary glider flying above the Austrian Alps near Mariazell. A French caption on the reverse reads:

“In a glider above the Austrian Alps at 2,000 meters altitude... Like an eagle searching for its prey, this glider glides gracefully above Mariazell.”

However, the glider shown is a primary training glider, a type typically used in basic flight instruction. These aircraft were capable of short, low-altitude flights and would not have realistically reached 2,000 meters. The dramatic language of the caption reflects typical press embellishment of the 1930s.

🧠 Historical Significance

• Aircraft Type: Likely a primary glider used for beginner training in pre-WWII Austria or Germany

• Photographer Location: Mariazell, a scenic Alpine town known for soaring sites

• Issued By: The New York Times / Wide World Photos, with original press caption mounted on reverse

• Press Language: French-language caption—likely used by European syndication partners

🖋️ Condition Report

• Photo: Excellent tonal contrast, no creases or tears

• Back: Caption intact, clear NYT Wide World stamp visible, with pencil notations and archival markings