Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

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 on display in Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Boeing Aviation Hangar
Object Details
Country of Origin France Type MEMORABILIA-Popular Culture Manufacturer Polyconcept / Spirit of St. Louis
 Physical Description Six (6) flint and wick lighters of various shapes and sizes in a silver metal colored plastic display panel. The display is in the shape of a wing section, with an indented 2.75inch x 2inch rectangular space for each lighter. A 3.5inch long x .5inch wide alternating red and white box field with "N-X-211" imprinted in black on it appears in the upper left corner with black text "Spirit of St. Louis" below. In the upper right corner of the display is price sticker which has a blue field with yellow stars on the left and right opposite borders. Marked on it is "Fr 89.00" and "Prix en Francs" below this is "Prix in Euros" the Euro portion is blank aside from the Euro monetary symbol "€". Central on the display board is a 2inch long x 1.25inch wide oval logo of mirrored plastic, embossed on it is an image of the Ryan built Spirit of St. Louis aircraft with the registered trade mark symbol "®" next to the tail, above the airplane it reads "New York - Paris" below the craft it reads "Spirit of St. Louis” Three (3) of the lighters have an image of Charles A. Lindbergh from the time of his Atlantic flight, one is relief of Lindbergh's head and shoulder with the text “Spirit of St. Louis” and image of the aircraft, which is the product line logo embossed on the top cap. The other lighter has an engraved image of Lindbergh's profile between a map of the east coast of America and Europe with the text “Spirit of St. Louis” and image of the aircraft, which is the product line logo. The third lighter which also has an image of Lindbergh engraved on it is identified in text as "Press Statement" "London 1927". Lindbergh is standing in front of a microphone looking to his left. Embossed on the top cap of the lighter is the text “Spirit of St. Louis”. The remaining three (3) lighters each have related images and or text on them of Lindbergh's flight in the Spirit of St. Louis aircraft. All have the “Spirit of St. Louis” product line logo on them as well. Dimensions 3-D: 24.1 x 30.5 x 29.2cm, 0.6kg (9 1/2 x 12 x 11 1/2 in., 1 3/8lb.)
 Materials Metal and plastic
 Inventory Number A20040287064 Credit Line Gift of the Stanley King Family. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.