charleskhamilton

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_K._Hamilton
'Charles Keeney Hamilton (May 30, 1885 – January 22, 1914) was an American pioneer aviator nicknamed the "crazy man of the air". He was, in the words of the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission, "known for his dangerous dives, spectacular crashes, extensive reconstructive surgeries, and ever present cigarette" and was "frequently drunk". He survived more than 60 crashes.'

Could be the biplane in 1910 photo
digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/...

The plane is the Curtiss No. 2 "Reims Racer" in which Glenn Curtiss won the 1909 Gordon Bennett Cup. He sold the plane to Hamilton and put him under contract in January 1910. But by August 1910, after missed payments and disagreements about prize money he foreclosed and reclaimed the plane. That gives a nice 8 month window to date the photo.

Who wore it better?

Thanks swanq and Seuss.. We'll update the catalog record.

This photo probably goes with another Bain photo, www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2014688251/, as it has the same first Bain number, 2039.

Aircraft was leased from Glenn Curtiss ( Aero Club of America Pilot #1) by Charles K. Hamilton (Aero Club of America Pilot # 12) The aircraft used in the first flight in Seattle was the same aircraft ( Rheims Racer ) used by Glenn Curtiss to win Gordon Bennett Aviation Cup at Rheims , France August 28,1909 Coupe-Gordon-Bennett the fastest airplane in the world 47.06 mph.

Charles K. Hamilton ( Aero Club of America Pilot # 12)

Early Aviation Thank you very much for your comments!