Charles Lindbergh and The Spirit of St. Louis

On this day, 81 years ago, May 20–21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh rose from virtual obscurity to world fame as the result of his exploits as the pilot of the first nonstop Transatlantic Flight from New York (Roosevelt Field) to Paris (Le Bourget Field) made in the single seat, single engine aircraft named the "Spirit of St. Louis".

Charles Lindbergh with the Spirit of St. Louis 1927.

Ryan NYP airplane, Dayton, Ohio, August 5, 1927.

Lindbergh with the Spirit of St. Louis 1927. (Photo New York Public Library)

Part of the funding for the Spirit of St. Louis came from Lindbergh's own earnings as an Air Mail pilot over the year before his nonstop flight to Paris. (The Cooper Collections)

Original 1927 French Postcard.

Ryan NYP (Replica) Paris - Le Bourget, France, June 1987.

Program cover for "WE" Banquet for Charles Lindbergh given by the Mayor's Committee on Receptions of the City of New York on June 14, 1927. (The Cooper Collections)

Welcome Home Charles Lindbergh - Original 1927 Lapel Pin Button.

Stamp issued on June 18th, 1927 by the United States Post Office Department as a tribute to Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh.

Charles Lindbergh & wife Anne Morrow Lindbergh - September 13th, 1929.

National Chicle Company - Chewing Gum Trading Card. Copyright 1934.

Ford Tri-Motor (Tin Goose - N7584). First Sold To American Airlines in 1928, this plane was flown by Charles Lindbergh for American Airlines. He flew Henry Ford on his first and only plane ride. This plane was later used in commuter service in the Cleveland area and, around 1980 was sold to a private pilot for tourist rides. Sold at auction in October 1991 for around "ONE MILLION DOLLARS".