Inventions
Southampton, England, May 1, 1844
British Aviation Pioneers Seek Investors for Aerial Steam Carriage
ALS

[INVENTIONS.]. Arthur Cooper, Autograph Letter Signed, to Thomas Tindal, May 1, 1844, Southampton, England. The stationery features a lithographic image of an ?Aerial Steam Carriage? flying over the Thames River in London. 1 p., 7.25" x 9". Expected folds; some soiling on address panel; portions of original wax seal present; postal marks from London; very good.

This brief letter from Southampton appears on stationery with a remarkable lithograph. In 1842, British inventors and aviation pioneers William Samuel Henson (1812-1888) and John Stringfellow (1799-1883) received a patent for their ?aerial steam carriage,? also called ?Ariel.? Over the next several years, Henson, Stringfellow, and a few others incorporated the ?Aerial Transit Company? and attempted to attract investments. The flying machine was supposed to carry passengers into the air, but in practice, the steam engine was too heavy to fly. In 1848, they built a more successful model that was able to fly short distances in a hangar but dissolved their company soon thereafter. Henson married and moved to the United States, but Stringfellow continued with his aeronautical experiments.

The ?aerial steam carriage? marked an important transition from glider experimentation to powered flight experimentation.

The Aerial Transit Company?s publicist, Frederick Marriott (1805-1884), commissioned prints in 1843, depicting the Aerial Steam Carriage over the pyramids in Egypt, in India, this one over London, England, and in other places. Although the images captured the public imagination, they did not attract sufficient investment. Occupying the top half of the first page, the lithograph on this letter is entitled ?Aerial Steam Carriage? and was published by John Harwood (1798-1855) and his cousin Frederick Harwood (d. 1861) of 26 Fenchurch Street, London. The firm had been declared bankrupt in July 1843, though the bankruptcy was formally annulled when the cousins dissolved their partnership in January 1844. John Harwood continued his publishing business alone.

Complete Transcript
May 1st 44
Dear Sir,
I beg to acknowledge the receipt of a Bank post Bill for ?80. Mrs Cooper and myself feel very grateful for your kind & prompt attention in Quietting it before the sale of stock and write in kind regards and best wishes for your health. I am Dear Sir
Yours truly obliged
Arthur Cooper
Thos Tindal Esq.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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7.25" x 9"