Line-up of Army Model D-III headless at Curtiss Camp, San Diego, Undated

The collection consists of photographs once belonging to Glenn Curtiss (1878-1930), world famous aviator and early aircraft designer. The photographs document Curtiss' early aviation involvements and include images of Curtiss and other aviators of the period, aircraft he designed and built, hydroplane experiments, and photographs of the Curtiss factory in Hammondsport, New York.

The majority of the photos are original prints and were executed by Harry M. Benner or William Tomer, both Curtiss contract photographers. Benner acted as a semi-official Curtiss photographer during Curtiss' pre-WWI career. The backs of 29 of the photos bear the signature and/or notations of William Wait Jr., a chief designer for the Curtiss Company who received the photographs from Curtiss and retained them for over 40 years. Fifty-one of the photos have typed explanations on the back. The photographs range in size from 110 mm x 165 mm to 135 mm x 170 mm, while the vast majority are approximately 125 mm x 175 mm.

The photographs are divided into four series. Series I Flying Boats includes photographs of the Tadpole Flying Boat and Models "D", "E", "F", and "K" flying boats. Series II San Diego and Other California Developments contain photographs of early hydroplane experiments in San Diego with Curtiss piloting the Model E flying boat. Series III consists of photographs of the Curtiss America hydroplane, including construction, testing, and crating. The fourth series, Landplanes, Hydroplanes and Miscellaneous photos, include images of the Model R, various engine models, Curtiss-Navy AH-4 hydro, and the inside of the Curtiss factory.