On May 20-21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh literally flew into history when he crossed the Atlantic Ocean in his Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis, thus becoming the first pilot to fly solo and nonstop from New York to Paris. This flight made Lindbergh a household name and catapulted him into fame and celebrity. The objects of popular culture in the National Collection display everything from ashtrays to wristwatches reflect the public adulation for Lindbergh and the powerful commercial response to his celebrity. More than 75 years after the Spirit's historic flight, Lindbergh's name still has the power help sell manufactured goods.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details
Type MEMORABILIA-Popular Culture Manufacturer Havana and Domestic
Physical Description A rectangular wooden cigar box with a lid that has an image of the Spirit of St. Louis flying inside a u-shaped grouping of clouds. Below the aircraft black lettering "WE ALWAYS IN THE LEAD" Above the plane black lettering "LUCKY-LINDY" The edges of the box have a yellow band with a repeating patter of "LUCKY-LINDY" inside a red box and a blue design with red lettering "Cigar of Quality" The inside of the box lid has the same image at the top of the lid but in color. The lettering above the aircraft is blue. At the top of the lid gold lettering reads "FIRST TO GO ACROSS BIG - FOR 5 CENTS" The sides of the box have the same image as the lid but cropped so just the aircraft is visible in color. Dimensions 3-D: 24 x 15.2 x 6.7cm (9 7/16 x 6 x 2 5/8 in.)
Materials Wood, paper, adhesive, steel
Inventory Number A20040295031 Credit Line Gift of the Stanley King Family. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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