Catalog Archive
Auction 134, Lot 150

"Universal Air Lines System. Man's Desire to fly is Universal - Travel by Air",

Subject: United States

Period: 1929 (dated)

Publication: Universal Air Line System

Color: Printed Color

Size:
15 x 8 inches
38.1 x 20.3 cm
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This remarkable and early air line timetable contains a folding map (15" x 8") of the United States detailing the routes of Universal Air Lines. Their air coverage extends from the Kansas City hub east to Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Louisville, and west to Garden City, Kansas and several cities in Texas including San Angelo, Dallas and Abilene. The brochure is made up of two separate folding sheets. The other panels list the fares, times and routes covered with flying times. The routes and fares for the divisions of Continental Airlines and Braniff Air Lines are also covered. The brochure self-folds into a double panel view of a Fokker TriMotor aircraft flying over a stylized city. The company's logo is prominently shown at top and bottom on the cover. On two other panels are the sections "The Comforts of Air Travel" and "The Values of Air Travel" with paragraphs devoted to the Business Man, the Pleasure Traveler, and other information. With a pasted in errata sheet "Supplementary to Table No. 11" that adds flights for the newly created Wichita - Ponca City - Oklahoma City route. The brochure mentions the 'equipment' used on the various routes: the 12 passenger Fokker F-10-A Trimotor, Fokker Super-Universal (6 passenger); and Travelair (5 passenger) aircraft. A rare issue.

Universal Air Lines was a St. Louis based conglomerate seeking to develop an air and railway network in the heart of the country to compete with Transcontinental Air Transport. They eventually were absorbed by the Aviation Corporation, the holding company that became American Airlines in 1934.

References:

Condition: B+

The cover has one small area missing at top affecting the upper logo. Several of the folds are weak with short splits, but overall sound.

Estimate: $180 - $220

Sold for: $100

Closed on 12/1/2010

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