The Early Birds: JOHN KAMINSKI, Pioneer Aviator, Original Youngest Pilot, Wisc.

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The Early Birds: JOHN KAMINSKI, Pioneer AviatorJohn Kaminski was the 121st licensed pilot in the world, the first pilot in Wisconsin, and the first known Polish-American pilot. He flew exhibition flights for the Curtiss Exhibition Company from 1912-1915, and served in the 7th Aero Squadron, which was based in Panama, during World War I. His eyesight was permanently damaged when he was splashed with gasoline, and was grounded in 1919. Kaminski worked for the Post Office in Milwaukee until his retirement in 1955.-- The above biographical data was supplied by This Early Bird File for sale includes:Photo No. 1 on ebay:* 1 -- 8"x10" black & white photo. Backside caption info: John Kaminski with his airplane at the Milwaukee Aviation Field. 1912. Front of photo is inscribed and signed by John Kaminski.* 1 -- 3.5"x4.5" photo. Backside caption info: John Kaminski in Governor's office at the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin meeting with Governor Kohler to commemorate the 50 th Anniversary of John Kaminski's flight making Kaminski the youngest pilot in the world. Photo taken: Dec. 17, 1953. Signed.Photo No. 2 on ebay:* 1 -- 8"x10" black & white photo. Backside caption info: John Kaminski (FAI #121) with Curtiss airplane used in his license test.* 1 -- 5"x7" black & white portrait photo. John Kaminski (FAI #121).Photo No. 3 on ebay:* 1 -- 8"x1 0" black & white photo. Backside caption info: Curtiss School, Class of 1912, North Island, San Diego, Calif.Photo includes Early Birds from left to right: Floyd E. Barlow, John G. Kaminski, Smith, Roy B. Russell, Mohan M. Singh, John Lansing Callan, Julia Clark, M. Dunlap, Kono Takeshi.Photo No. 4 on ebay:* 1 -- 5"x7" black & white photo. John Kaminski (FAI #121), elbow on wing, pilot of Bleriot type monoplane at West Allis, Wisconsin, 1912.* 1 -- 5"x7" black & white photo. John Kaminski in cockpit, 1912. Ready for Flight at the Milwaukee School and College of Aviation.Photo No. 5 on ebay:* 1 -- 8"x10" black & white photo. Backside caption info: Kaminski and Horace Kearney taking off at Aviation Meet at Coronado, Calif. March 24, 1912.Photo No. 6 on ebay:* 3 photos of John:* 1 -- 5"x7" black & white photo. John Kaminski by Jet, Aug. 15, 1955. Signed.* 1 -- 5"x7" black & white photo. John Kaminski at Early Bird Reunion. Also in photo (not shown here) is Early Bird Blanche Stuart Scott. Sept. 7, 1953. Photo is signed by John Kaminski.* 1 -- 5"x7" black & white photo. John Kaminski at Early Bird Reunion with Hugh Watson, also an Early Bird, Sept. 7, 1953. Photo is signed by both Early Birds.Photo No. 7 on ebay:* 4 photos of John:* 1 -- 4"x5" photo of John Kaminski deboarding.* 1 -- 5"x7" black & white photo. John Kaminski at Early Bird Reunion, circa 1950s.* 1 -- 3.5"x3.5" Kaminski at St. Petersburg, Florida.* 1 -- 4"x5" photo of John Kaminski and George Hardie, 1952.Photo No. 8 on ebay:This photo illustrates the various backsides of the above photos.Photo No. 9 on ebay:* Eight (8) Negatives of several of the above photographs are included in this file.Photo No. 10 on ebay:* Seven (7) handwritten letters from John Kaminski to Paul Matt (Aviation Historian, Aviation Author, Aviation Book Publisher) from 1953 to 1960s. All are signed.* Three (3) typewritten carbon copy letters from Paul Matt (Aviation Historian, Aviation Author, Aviation Book Publisher) to John Kaminski, circa 1950s.Photo No. 11 on ebay:* Four (4) Christmas Cards from John & Nellie Kaminski to Paul & Joan Matt.Each Christmas card is personalized with a note and is signed. All are circa 1950s.* Three original mailing envelopes are included.* Two (2) Post Cards from the Kaminskis to the Matts, circa 1950s. Signed.Photo No. 12 on ebay:* Eight (8) Original newspaper articles about John Kaminski and his aviation achievements. Published mainly in the 1950s and mainly by The Milwaukee Journal.Bonus:This Early Bird File also includes 10 additional photos.e... read more

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