The finest flying machines of their day wheel around a pylon in

artist Paul Lengell6 s conception of the world s first great air meet,

at Rheims, France, in 1909. All the aircraft shown were made in

France, whose aviators were in the vanguard of the first decade of

powered flight. In the air, from left, are a Bl&iot XI, an Antoinette, a

Wright (built under license), a Voisin and a Farman. A second

Bl6riot is parked by the pylon. The flags fluttering near the judges

stand in the background at right were in fact positioned in front of

the grandstand, identifying fliers and events for the spectators. This

watercolor was commissioned expressly for The First Aviators.