[Rarebooks] fs: Over Ireland by Airplane in 1910

[Joslin Hall Rare Books, ABAA]

Corkey, Alexander. THE TRUTH ABOUT IRELAND OR, THROUGH THE EMERALD ISLE
WITH AN AEROPLANE.

Oskaloosa, Iowa; Shockley Bros. & Cook: 1910.

A very early aeroplane travelogue and probably the first book with aerial
views of the Irish countryside. The author notes-

"The aeroplane is man's latest invention. ... One of the most delightful
uses of the aeroplane is in sightseeing. Aerial tourist travel will soon
become popular, as a bird's-eye view of a country is the most satisfactory
of all".

All is not always well however, and early aeroplane tourism could produce
some hair-raising moments-

"After his second circle around the flat plain, which is half a mile
square, Mike started east, and in a couple of minutes the earth was 2,500
feet below us. The suddenness of the appearance of this vast abyss between
us and land seemed to unnerve Mike for a moment. I almost collapsed. Then
Mike did a foolish thing. He imagined he could glide down from this
height, and he shut off the motor. We glided some 300 feet, and then I
could feel the aeroplane begin to sink under us. What happened I do not
just know. The first intimation I had of real danger was Mike's face as he
quickly turned to start the motor. I could hear the big propellers whiz
behind me. In starting the motor Mike released a lever for an instant. As
we were descending with lightning speed this was almost the cause of a
fatal disaster. The aeroplane began to rock violently, and I was almost
thrown from my seat. The accident to Orville Wright and Lieutenant
Selfridge at Washington the year before flashed before my mind. I wondered
if Mike could regain control of the machine. I caught the sides of my seat
and braced myself against the foot-rail. Even then I had difficulty
holding on. I glanced at Mike. His face was pale. His eyes shone. Every
muscle and nerve was tense. He was like a rider on a runaway horse,
determined to assert his mastery. His self-control was perfect. In spite
of Mike's coolness I am surprised we escaped. As the aeroplane kept
sinking and rocking like a ship in a storm, I closed my eyes and resigned
myself to my fate...".

Hardcover. 5.5"x8", 135 pages, 10 b/w plates; publisher's green cloth with
black titles; a little light wear at tips, etc., but a beautiful, bright
copy. [05014] $150.00

Illustration-
<http://www.joslinhall.com/images03/th-05014.jpg>


More Ireland-
<http://www.joslinhall.com/Ireland.htm>

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