^Lot 32 Aviation

An incredibly rare and visually striking Indian Head insignia salvaged from a French-made Spad biplane from the 93rd Aero Squadron. This enormous piece of fabric, taken from the plane’s fuselage, measures approximately 38 x 24, with the imposing insignia of the United States Aero Squadron in the center. The grand and intimidating insignia features a large and sinister screaming Indian, his face adorned in red, white, blue, and yellow face-paint, with two large white feathers coming from the headband. Surrounding the insignia are portions of the aircraft’s original camouflage paint scheme. Item has been mounted between two sheets of stiff plastic, to an overall size of 40 x 24. In very good condition, with expected age wear, some scattered light rubbing to paint, not affecting the overall appearance.

The consignor states that this piece was purchased from the estate of a man who had been a mechanic in the squadron. It was common during the First World War for aviators and their ground crews to collect ‘trophies’ from the aircraft of their fallen foes. Souvenir hunting was not limited to enemy aircraft however as frequently airmen would purloin items from their own damaged aircraft for sentimental reasons. Presumably our mechanic retained this piece as his own souvenir from the ‘Great War.’ The 93rd took part in 157 war missions, fought 64 combats and received official confirmation for 32 enemy planes shot down. A visually stunning relic from the first World War, the first conflict in which aircrafts were used on a large scale.