Thomas E. Steptoe Scrapbook Collection

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Thomas E. Steptoe (1884--1960) was an early aviator and an early proponent of air mail service. This collection consists of two scrapbooks compiled by Steptoe containing photographs, correspondence, ephemera, and news clippings. The contents of the first scrapbook mainly relate to air mail. The second scrapbook mainly pertains to Steptoe's career and the activities of other early aviators.

Thomas E. Steptoe (1884--1960) was an early aviator. He learned to fly at the Sloane Flying School, circa 1910. Steptoe was also an early proponent of air mail service. While working as a clerk in the Grand Central Branch of the New York Post Office in 1916, Steptoe wrote a paper on aviation in the postal service, urging the adoption of a permanent aerial mail service. Steptoe was granted his 'Expert Pilot' certificate by the Aero Club of America April 26, 1920. Steptoe was a member of the Early Birds of Aviation.

Identifier

NASM.XXXX.0229

Creator

Steptoe, Thomas E.

Date

1904-1958

Provenance

Estate of Thomas E. Steptoe, Gift, 1960, NASM.XXXX.0229

Extent

0.33 Cubic feet (1 flat box)

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of two scrapbooks compiled by Thomas E. Steptoe. Both scrapbooks contain photographs, correspondence, ephemera, and news clippings, and each measures approximately 11 by inches. The contents of the first scrapbook mainly relate to air mail. The second scrapbook mainly pertains to Steptoe's career and the activities of other early aviators. Aircraft represented in the collection include Christmas aircraft, the Zeppelin LZ 129 Hindenburg; Curtiss Model H "America" (H-1); and the Curtiss JN (Jenny). Besides Steptoe himself, notable aviation figures represented in the collection include Winifred Buller, Hélène Marguerite Dutrieu Mortier, Blanche Stuart Scott, Hilder Florentina Youngberg Smith, Georgia Ann Thomson "Tiny" Broadwick, Paul Richard Stockton, A. Roy Knabenshue, Frank Purdy Lahm, Albert J. Engel, John Guy Gilpatric, Alys McKey Bryant, Agnes Firth, the Wright Brothers, Matilde Josephine Moisant, Alberto Santos-Dumont, John C. Porte, Glenn Hammond Curtiss, H. Eugene Honeywell, Horace B. Wild, and Augustus Post. There is a significant amount of loose material between the pages in both scrapbooks.

Arrangement note

Scrapbooks are in original order. The loose material from within the pages of each scrapbook is in a folder following each book.

Rights

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests

Restrictions

No restrictions on access

Citation

Thomas E. Steptoe Scrapbook Collection, NASM.XXXX.0229, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Aeronautics
Air pilots
Air mail service

Type

Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Scrapbooks

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