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Eerste Luchtverkeer Tententoonstellig Amsterdam translates to, "The First Aviation Exhibition Amsterdam", which was the first aviation exposition to be held after World War One. It ran from August 1, 1919 through September 14, 1919. It was a massive and daringly ambitious undertaking for the time. It was one of, if not the, most important events in Dutch aviation history. It carried worldwide significance for having shown the advantages of such a show and led directly to the series of Paris Salons de l' Aeronautique and thence to the Farnborough and Paris shows of today and the multitude of their imitations around the world. Britain, France, Italy and the US were invited by the Dutch to participate; Austria and Germany were not invited. 111 airplanes of 61 types, were demonstrated or displayed at the show by British, French, Italian and Dutch manufacturers. 110 exhibitors presented their products and services relating to aviation ranging from small bits and pieces to complete airplanes, airships, flight instruction and airlines.
By the end of the show nearly one million visitors had been admitted to be amazed by the progress being made in aviation. To add the experience of actual flight for the visitors joyrides were sold in a variety of airplanes with the Blackburn Kangaroo, the Vimy Commercial and a couple of modified Fokker D.VIIs being the busiest workhorses.
Mulder's book tells us about the show in three chapters of 210 pages total along with a 14 page Photo Album and a very thorough index. In addition to the 65 photos and drawings in the Photo Album the book is loaded with 306 other photos and drawings making it an extremely well illustrated document of great value to the researcher, modeler and enthusiast. It gives us a very good look at the state of the aviation art in 1919 along with a good insight into the key players, both individuals and companies, in Europe at the time
Some of the photos in the book are absolutely striking in their quality having obviously been made by a professional with a very good, large view camera.
Although the subject is quite esoteric this book opens for us a window of awareness onto this era as no other source does. It is so thorough it would be a bit daunting to read if it were not for the fascination of the subjects, both men and machines.
It is a good read and I recommend it without reservation.
It is available from the publisher at www.elta1919.nl
As a special introduction the first seven US buyers will get the book for only $40.00 plus $4.50 shipping. The Euro retail price is about $50.00.
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