Smithsonian Institution
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Asset Name:
media:NASM-2009-30315

File Usage:

Not determined
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Object details:

Object Name: J. Gordon Bennett Balloon Race Trophy
Smithsonian Record ID: edanmdm:nasm_A19720934000

	Object Name
	J. Gordon Bennett Balloon Race Trophy

	Metadata Usage
	Not determined

	Guid
	http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv92d1d9ca0-185f-43b8-883d-5d53d523a114

	Data Source
	National Air and Space Museum

	Materials
	Bronze

	Dimensions
	3-D: 29.8 x 29.5 x 110.5cm (11 3/4 x 11 5/8 x 43 1/2 in.)

	Physical Description
	A bronze statue of intertwined figures emerging from a wave of water with the top figure gripping a balloon overhead pulling him upward.

	Physical Description
	Embosed text on base reads:

	Physical Description
	Front: "In honor of James Gordon Bennett 1841-1918"

	Physical Description
	Right Side: "That the nations of the earth may continue to meet in friendly compettition and the traditions established by the Gordon Bennett race may be perpetuated."

	Physical Description
	Back: "Third International Balloon Race Trophy"

	Physical Description
	Left side: "Presented 1929 by the aircraft bureau of the Detroit Board of Commerce."

	Summary
	The Gordon Bennett International Balloon Race is the world's oldest balloon race. It was first held on September 30, 1906 in Paris, France. James Gordon Bennett, Jr., avid sportsman and owner of the New York Herald newspaper, sponsored the event. In 1929, the Third Gordon Bennett International Balloon Race Trophy was won by Ward T. Van Orman of Akron, Ohio.

	Country of Origin
	United States of America

	Credit Line
	Donated by the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences Inc.

	Inventory Number
	A19720934000

	Date
	1929

	Type
	AWARDS-Trophies

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