Original photograph by Alberto Santos Dumont (1907)
Original photograph by Alberto Santos Dumont (1907)
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Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Digital Warranty ©
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In 1907, a group of important figures watched Alberto Santos Dumont's experiments in a seaplane.
- Period photograph, by the Rol photography agency, of a group of personalities observing Alberto Santos Dumont.
- Some notes on the back, in French.
- 11.8 cm x 16.8 cm.
- October 23, 1907, Paris region, on the Seine River.
- Good condition of conservation.
- Unique piece.
Assistance aux esseis de l'hydroplane Santos Dumont
October 1907
Delagrange aviator
Kapferer pilot de la Belle de Paris
Don Jaime of Bourbon
Captain Caddy
Archiduc Salvatore Leopold d'Autriche
Demarest of St. Antoinette
(There is one more person, on the far right of the photo, a gentleman whose last name is Mangin.)
By the end of 1907, aviation was taking off with the flights of American and European pioneers. Santos-Dumont abandoned the dirigible to build the "Demoiselle". But before that, he devoted himself to the No. 18, a seaplane. After testing on the Seine without an engine in late summer, Santos-Dumont installed a 50 hp engine, and then a 100 hp engine, before sinking it and nearly drowning.
This photograph is famous and has been reproduced countless times on postcards. It depicts a group of seven elegant men watching from a boat on the River Seine the exploits of Santos Dumont in his seaplane. The men in the photograph are as follows:
Léon Delagrange (1872-1910). Santos-Dumont made his last flight as a pilot in the Demoiselle on January 4, 1910. The flight ended in a crash, but he survived with only a few bruises. That same day, the pioneer Léon Delagrange died while piloting a Blériot.
Henri Kapferer (1870-1958) was a businessman with a passion for mechanics. He was a descendant of Henry Deutsch, the creator of the famous Deutsch Prize (1901-1903), which helped make Santos Dumont a celebrity in 1901 (I will soon present an exceptional document by Santos Dumont reporting this event!).
I have not yet discovered who Don Jaime de Bourbon, Capitaine Caddy, Demarest de la St Antoinette and Mangin were. But Archduke Salvatore Leopold of Austria (1863-1931) was a military man and scientist, heir to the European Habsburg royal family. He made his fortune patenting an engine for the Czech brand, Skoda.
I increasingly love photographs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Especially when they show Brazil or famous Brazilians. This is the case in this photograph, in which Santos Dumont does not appear, but all eyes are on him, admiring the little Brazilian, very brave. The photograph was taken from the pier and I was fascinated by the elegance and posture of these seven men. An amusing detail is a dog that appeared in the foreground at the exact moment the photographer activated his camera.

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Yes. All items available at Glórias have been carefully selected, studied, and certified before being offered for sale. Each purchase comes with a digital certificate of authenticity and guarantee, which we send via email. It is signed and stamped by Mathias Meyer, a French autograph expert since 2010 and a member of the ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers).
Who selects and certifies the items sold?
All items are selected and certified by Mathias Meyer, a French specialist in autographs, manuscripts, and historical documents since 2010. Throughout his career, he has studied thousands of pieces related to Brazilian history, sports, science, literature, and arts, and is now a member of ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers) and founder of Glórias.
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We offer a 3% discount for payments made in full (via Pix or bank transfer) or the option to pay in up to 3 interest-free installments by credit card. Furthermore, the prices of our pieces are carefully determined based on international market supply and demand, the specific characteristics of each item, and sales results of similar pieces. For this reason, we typically do not grant additional discounts. However, if you wish to purchase multiple pieces or make an exceptionally high-value purchase, we would be pleased to consider a special commercial arrangement.
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Delivery time varies approximately from 1 to 10 business days, depending on the recipient's location. In Brazil, we mainly use SEDEX, and for international shipments, FedEx. The document is placed in an elegant laid paper folder and sent in completely discreet packaging. The digital certificate of authenticity and guarantee is sent by email, in PDF format, for security reasons. Shipping is free throughout Brazil. For international shipments, the shipping cost is a fixed R$ 500.00.
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All items sold by Glórias have a permanent guarantee against eventual certification errors, provided that such error is subsequently demonstrated and confirmed by Mathias Meyer. In this event, the buyer will be fully reimbursed. To date, this situation has never occurred. The guarantee does not cover natural alterations or damage caused by improper storage, exposure to light, humidity, insects, or any other external factor that may compromise the preservation of the paper or ink.
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Yes. Should you wish to sell your piece in the future, please contact us. We will be happy to guide you and help you find a new collector, either through a direct sale or through a specialized auction organized by Glórias.
How can I add value to my collection?
If your goal is to go beyond an isolated purchase, the ideal is to build a coherent collection around a theme, a personality, or a historical period, such as aviation pioneers, women who made history, love letters, old photographs of Rio de Janeiro, Oscar Niemeyer, Pelé, or Ayrton Senna. Mathias Meyer can guide you in forming a consistent collection, according to your interests, objectives, and budget.
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To preserve your document in the best condition, we recommend against laminating it or keeping it permanently framed, as paper needs to breathe and prolonged exposure to light can accelerate its deterioration. Ideally, store it in a dry, dark, and clean place, protected from humidity, extreme temperatures, dust, and insects, ensuring its preservation for many decades.
Why aren't these pieces in museums?
Throughout history, much of the world's documentary heritage has been preserved thanks to private collectors and dealers. These enthusiasts of historical documents play a fundamental role in the discovery, study, and preservation of pieces that can later be loaned, donated, or sold to museums and other institutions. In Brazil, where many museums have limited financial resources and staff, this collaboration is even more important. Glórias maintains relationships with public institutions, museums, and researchers, both in Brazil and abroad, sharing discoveries, knowledge, and, in some cases, documents for exhibitions.
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With pleasure. The first step is to conduct a preliminary assessment, which will determine the level of authenticity, market value, and the best strategy for your piece. Depending on the outcome, there are several possibilities, such as direct sale, consignment, or a specialized auction.
Where do the parts sold by Glórias come from?
Every document has a unique story. Most of the pieces offered by Glórias were inherited from families who contacted us, while others were acquired at auctions, where they were poorly identified or undervalued, or came from antique dealers, collectors, or companies. Behind every rare document there is a singular trajectory, which makes collecting a fascinating way to preserve and transmit history.
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