About This Image

Two photographs of balloon enthusiasts. The man with a camera sitting on the balloon basket may be noted American adventurer Augustus Post. There is no caption or date.

The second photograph measures 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches and has a date stamp on verso of July 1, 1914.

Augustus Post and Alan R. Hawley were the winners of the 1910 Gordon Bennett Cup, flying "America II" and setting a distance and duration record of 1,173 miles in 44 hours and 25 minutes. This North American record stood for 95 years.

They left St. Louis on October 17th, however the pair of experienced balloonists landed in a remote section of Canadian wilderness, eight miles north of Lake Tschotogama in Quebec. After a week passed with no word from the team, search parties were formed by the Aero Club of America, but many newspapers reported that the men were likely dead. Instead, they emerged after ten days, assisted by two local trappers, who had been on a hunting trip. Also, Post's skills as a woodsman, having been developed during summers in the Catskill Mountains, was able to construct lean-tos to keep them dry and caught fish using improvised lures to supplement their food. Hawley had an injured knee, but otherwise the pair were unharmed and received a hero's welcome upon their return.

In addition to being a balloonist this wealthy American adventurer distinguished himself as an automotive pioneer, early aviator, writer, actor, musician and lecturer.

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