Album of memorabilia relating to a trans-Atlantic flight

Inside front cover: Blue Speedbird Companion card folder 16 x 27 cms, stappled to the front cover containing:

A coloured B.O.A.C. Stratocruiser Speedbird unused postcard 10 x 15 cms. An empty American USE Air Mail envelope 11 x 24 cms, addressed to Mr & Mrs Fred Pearce, (his wife Adelaide) London dated June 1952. Return address L.A. Hill, 2908 16th Ave, Rockford U.S.A. A coloured illustrated 52 x 75 cms B.O.A.C. world air routes map, one side showing the Eastern Hemisphere and the reverse the Western Hemisphere. The Monarch, new B.O.A.C. service London – New York overnight -Non-Stop leaflet, 10 x 23 cms. A blue Facts about the Stratocruiser leaflet 10 x 23 cms. A blue B.O.A.C. safety leaflet, 12 x 21 cms. A blue Air Freight leaflet, 10 x 15 cms. An amenities bar service leaflet 10 x 15 cms. A “Your Labels” envelope 9 x 13 cms containing two oval B.O.A.C. luggage labels.

Page 1. A coloured illustrated card, 19 x 22 cms titled ‘B.O.A.C. by Stratocruiser to U.S.A. and Britain’ stuck to the page. A folded illustrated leaflet, 10 x 23 cms showing the interior layout of the Stratocruiser Speedbird.

Page 2. Consists of four items stuck to the page. A blue card 9 x 13 cms titled “Occupied” listing the passenger’s name Mr. Pearce. A British Overseas Airways Corporation passenger ticket and baggage check number 0614 847386 dated 14th March, size 9 x 18 cms. A green baggage card, 8 x 12 cms, number 64-21-94. A brown baggage check, 7 x 7 cms titled “To New York” number F 21-67-51.

Page 3. Consists of two leaflets adhered to the page. A foldout leaflet, 9 x 23 cms, advertising “The Monarch” new B.O.A.C. overnight non-stop service to New York. A red folded card 14 x 20 cms, titled “The Monarch service menu and wine list.

Page 4. Contains a Post Office telegram, 12 x 19 cms, dated 14th March 1951, from Dolly, Roy and Nellie to Fred Pearce, 7 Court Way, Hendon, London with the message “Meet you at CHGO Airport 11.30 Friday 16th, driving you to Rockford = Roy +++”. Two monochrome photographs 8 x 8 cms, showing Fred Pearce plus two ladies and a man standing next to a saloon car registration number JK 7036 presumably outside Fred’s London home at the start of the trip.

Page 5. This page consists of six items adhered to the page. Two monochrome photographs 8 x 8 cms of the four engine Stratocruiser on the tarmac before take-off. A newspaper cutting, 4 x 5 cms titled “Re-Union” covering the reason of Fred’s visit to Rockford. A business card, 5 x 10 cms from Fred Bailey of American Airlines. An American Airlines reservation card, 8 x 13 cms for Pearce from La Guardia to Chicago. A fold-out boarding pass, 9 x 16 cms for the Chicago flight.

Page 6. A Western Union cablegram, 15 x 20 cms dated 16th March 1951, from Pearce, Colindale 7877, London containing the message “Dear Addie, Gordon Connie Chicago all together – Freddie”. A blue B.O.A.C. envelope message, 14 x 16 cms received at Rockford 15th March 1951. Message reads “Wire Leroy Hill care Stevens Hotel Chicago Illinois time plane arrives Chicago and name of airline”.

Page 7. This page contains a selection of four newspaper cuttings, two baggage checks and two monochrome photographs. A newspaper cutting tells the story of Fred Pearce meeting two of his sisters Mrs. Leroy A. Hill and Mrs Joe Dasins at Chicago after 39 years separation. The third sister Nellie Pearce lives in Rockford. The two monochrome photographs show Fred with his sisters and friends standing in the snow outside the house in Rockford. Finally on this page are a green boarding card, 7 x 7 cms, number E 12-52-79 and a blue B.O.A.C. identification tag.

Page 8. This page contains four coloured magazine photographs, 8 x 13 cms of various scenes at Chicago Municipal Airport. Also are five illustrated matchbox covers.

Page 9. A newspaper cutting, 15 x 15 cms illustrates Fred Pearce meeting his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Hill. A coloured postcard, 8 x 13 cms of Stevens Hotel, Chicago. Two other illustrated matchbox covers and a folded white card, 13 x 19 cms concert program of “Song of Norway” by the Mendelssohn Club at Rockford Theatre, April 1951.

Page 10. A white folded 18 x 28 cms ‘Breakfast in the coffee shop’ menu card from the Stevens Hotel, Chicago.

Page 11. Consists of two monochrome photographs 8 x 8 cms showing Fred’s arrival with his travelling cases. A green folded 10 x 23 cms information leaflet for the city of Rockford.

Page 12. An illustrated menu card, 14 x 20 cms from Marshall Field & Company. Two additional monochrome photographs, 8 x 8 cms of Fred with his brother-in -law and sisters with the B.O.A.C. travelling bag in the foreground. Also on this page are two coloured postcards, 9 x 14 cms showing the downtown section of Rockford and Hotel Faust, Rockford.

Page 13. The two coloured postcards 9 x 14 cms, on this page illustrate the Pavilion in Black Hawk Park and St. Anthony’s Hospital, Rockford. Two monochrome photographs, 8 x 8 cms show Fred at his mother’s graveside in the snow.

Page 14. These six monochrome photographs, 8 x 8 cms picture Fred with his brother-in-law and sister at their home in Rockford. Also illustrated is the family Plymouth car registration number 1497-537.

Page 15. An illustrated folded menu card, 21 x 27 cms from The Narcissus Fountain Room of Marshall Field & Company.

Page 16. These six monochrome photographs, 8 x 8 cms all cover the domestic scenes of Fred with his two sisters.

Page 17. A single page menu card 18 x 27 cms from the Illinois Central Railroad Dining Room Dinner, dated 26th March 1951.

Page 18. These six monochrome photographs, 8 x 8 cms all cover the domestic scenes of Fred with his sister and grandchild. The photographs also illustrate that Fred was impressed by the domestic appliances available in the U.S.A such as a vacuum cleaner, a modern kitchen and a refrigerator, not normally available in the UK in the 1950s.

Page 19. A coloured folded menu card 25 x 28 cms illustrated with oak leaves is a memento from The Oak Room, The Stevens, Chicago.

Page 20. This page contains three monochrome photographs 8 x 8 cms showing Fred with his granddaughter outside the property in the snow. In addition is a 22 x 27 cms insurance document from Associated Aviation Underwriters to cover Fred during his flight from Chicago to New York on the 30th March 1951.

Page 21. A yellow folded card, 14 x 21 cms is a memento from the Marshall Field & Company airport coffee shop. The two monochrome photographs, 8 x 8 cms show the United Airlines terminal buildings.

Page 22. These four monochrome photographs, 8 x 8 cms show Fred’s departure on American Airlines from the U.S.A. A coloured postcard 8 x 13 cms is an illustration of an American Airlines aircraft.

Page 23. A brightly coloured menu card 17 x 20 cms illustrates the A la Carte offerings at the Gotham Restaurant.

Page 24. A newspaper cutting from the Rockford Morning Star, Sunday, April 1st. 1951 shows that Fred was a guest of the airline at Gotham Hotel, New York as his return flight home was delayed by mechanical issues. A Western Union Cablegram, 15 x 20 cms to LT Pearce, 7 Court Way N.W.9 indicates that Fred was delayed 12 hours in New York. Two monochrome photographs, 8 x 13 cms illustrate a Northwest Stratocruiser and an American Airlines Douglas DC-6.

Page 25. This page contains four newspaper cuttings: a notice of the death of Fred’s mother, Mrs. Ann Pearce at the age of 71. The announcement of an open house to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of Fred’s sister Annie Pearce in July 1920. (Now Mr. and Mrs Leroy A. Hills). A notice of the delay of the B.O.A.C. Luxury Monarch airliner from New York. Also is a cutting from The Rockford Morning Star, dated Friday, April 13th, 1951, reference a letter from Fred on how he has adopted Rockford as his home and a meeting with Mayor C.H. Bloom. A fold-out illustrated leaflet 10 x 23 cms is an advertising brochure for the B.O.A.C. Stratocruiser Speedbird airliner.

Page 26. Two 8 x 8 cms monochrome photographs show the Stratocruiser airliner on the tarmac. A Post Office telegram from Shannon Airport dated 31st March is a message from Freddy to his wife Addie that he has arrive safely.

Page 27. Four monochrome photographs, 8 x 8 cms and 10 x 13 cms show a domestic family environment in Rockford.

Page 28. Four monochrome photographs, 8 x 8 cms and 10 x 13 cms show a domestic family environment in Rockford.

Page 29. Four monochrome photographs, 8 x 8 cms taken in America of Fred’s sister and granddaughter.

Loose items:

A blue illustrated brochure 12 x 17 cms contains many photographs of The Holborn, Restaurant, London. 11 pp. A folded illustrated dinner menu card 24 x 30 cms, from The Gotham, Fifth Avenue, New York City. A portrait cover, 21 x 27 cms signed by Mayor C.H. Bloom dated 1951. Telegram 12 x 19 cms dated 7th August from Fred Pearce to Illinois, message reads ‘arrived home safe on time’. Monochrome photograph 19 x 20 cms, Fred’s arrival in Chicago greeting two of his sisters. Newspaper cutting, 7 x 10 cms titled ‘Northlake’ stating that Mr. and Mrs Joseph Dasins are expecting Mrs. Dasins’ brother, Fred Pearce to visit them over Easter. Monochrome photograph, 16 x 20 cms a portrait of Fred in a dress suit standing at the bottom of a flight of stairs. Handwritten inscription states ‘portrait of Frederick Pearce (aged 80) taken at Simpsons Restaurant, Strand, London, year 1972. Newspaper cutting: 10 x 16 cms report of the death of Dr. Darwin M. Keith an eminent Rockford physician. Newspaper cutting: 7 x 10 cms, ‘Soldier Wins Bride’ announcing the marriage of Miss Annie Pearce daughter of Mrs. Anna Pearce (Fred’s sister). Newspaper cutting: 3 x 6 cms. Nellie Pearce has an appendicitis operation in Rockford. Newspaper cutting: 7 x 10 cms announcing the birthday of Mrs Annie Pearce. White envelope 10 x 15 cms addressed to Mrs. D Sirey, Barnet containing five coloured photographs, 9 x 9 cms of possibly Miss Annie Pearce as a young woman. One monochrome photograph 8 x 8 cms of Annie in a wedding dress seated with a collie dog. Leaflet, 12 x 22 cms providing information of parking in Holborn.

Four monochrome photographs 9 x 9 cms, illustration of a tall building titled ‘Mayo Diagnostic Building, 1952. Photograph titled ‘Little Nell, Summer ’51. Photograph, sisters Nellie and Holly ’51. Photograph of a group of people standing below statues of two doctors titled ‘Dr Mayo, You have his autograph’. One older style monochrome photograph, 7 x 11 cms of a couple and an older lady standing in a garden setting, titled ‘Nell, me & Roy, Dolly Husband and me’