[Printed pamphlet.] Mémoire Descriptif d'un Brevet d'Invention pour une Machine Volante dénommé Avion Militaire de Grand Combat Vitanval en faveur de M. Leon Louis Laforge Prince Laforge de Vitanval. Second Partie. Traduit de l'Espagnol.

Author: 
Leon Louis Laforge, self-styled 'Prince Laforge de Vitanval' and 'Grand Master of the Knights of Saint Leon' [aeronautics; flying machines; airplanes; aviation; inventions]
Publication details: 
['Au Ministerio de Fomento a Madrid. Le 25 Mai 1916 sous le No. 62.342'.] Madrid: Artes Gráficas "Mateu". Paseo del Prado, 34. 1916.
£125.00
SKU: 10641

4to, 22 pp. In original green printed wraps. Frontispiece photograph on art paper, inscribed in bottom right-hand corner 'A M. Maggs Bros booksellers | Souvenir de la guerre | Pce. Laforge de Vitanval | Madrid 12 Aout 16'. Text clear and complete. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. No diagrams. The invention is described as 'un Aéro-frein ou frein automatique pour aéroplanes et toutes espèce de machines volantes, empêchant le capotement des appareils, en cas d'accident ou d'arrêt subit du moteur'. Relating to five types of airplane, from the 'Aéro-Torpilleur-Vitanval' to the 'Supper[sic]-Aéro-Croiseur-Vitanval'. The frontispiece portrait of a glib Laforge, with waxed moustache and festooned with medals and decorations, gives the game away: he was a complete fraud, being arrested for his activities by the French government in 1901.