preparing

That's James "Jimmie" Ward www.earlyaviators.com/eward1.htm I would date this pic at 1911 -- he did a lot of flying then and as arrested on bigamy charges in June of 1912.

The inscribed date on the photo (reversed) reads "9/13/11" (albeit with a poorly inscribed "3"). This dates the photo to September 13, 1911, the day Jimmie Ward took off from Governors Island in his Curtiss Pusher (named "Hearst Pathfinder") in pursuit of the William Randolph Hearst Prize, a $50,000 prize to the first aviator to complete a transcontinental flight of the United States within 30 days by October 11, 1911. Ward's aircraft would suffer an engine failure a three days after this photo. After repairs, Ward would continue his journey, but would be forced to withdraw after his aircraft was wrecked beyond repair (again, after an engine failure and crash landing) on September 22, 1911.

Thanks so much for filling in the picture, TVL 1970. Amazing to think of flying one of those planes. We'll fill in the title information and add the date next time we update the record. We appreciate your help!

Other Bain/LOC photos of Aviator James "Jimmie" Ward on Governors Island: Receiving a sendoff from Governors Island resident General Frederick Dent Grant:: Ward takes off:

Aero Club of America Pilot # 52

Fantastic photos!

Before the exhibition, this dog needs to show off his best physical appearance qualities.