Name/Title
Amelia Earhart's Story in Philately by George PotopnykEntry/Object ID
2024.790.9Scope and Content
Trifold display, Amelia Earhart 's Story in Philately, created by George Potopnyk, member of the Georgian Bay Coin & Stamp ClubContext
The display, titled "Amelia Earhart's Story" features stamps and documentation of Amelia's accomplishments at various times throughout her life. A large photo in the center of the display, documents a visit to Wasaga Beach by Amelia.
In early years, the beachfront at Wasaga Beach was not only a main roadway it was also a natural runway for airplanes. In 1933, Captain James Mollison and his wife Amy Johnson attempted to fly their plane, the Seafarer II, from Wasaga Beach to Bagdad, Iraq in an attempt to break the long distance record. On the day they attempted to take off from the beachfront, high crosswinds made it difficult to take off. On their third attempt, the undercarriage of the plane was damaged preventing any further attempt to take off. The Mollison's sold the Seafarer II to James Ayling and Leonard Reid who restored and renamed the plane “Trail of the Caribou”. Ayling and Reid also planned to attempt to break the record for the longest flight. On the morning of August 8th, 1934, Ayling and Reid took off from Wasaga Beach in the Trail of the Caribou and made it to England. They encountered heavy fog and winds and used more fuel than they had anticipated. Although they did not break the world record they made the first direct non-stop flight from Canada to England.
Amy Mollison (Johnson) is the first documented female pilot to land on the beach at Wasaga Beach. She was also the first solo pilot to fly from England to Australia in 1930. Amelia Earhart, who also landed in Wasaga Beach, was the first woman to fly solo from Newfoundland, Canada to England. She also made the first solo, nonstop flight by a woman across the United States in 19 hours and was the first woman to fly as a passenger across the Atlantic in 1928. The picture featured in the center of the display, documents Amelia Earhart’s plane being pulled onshore in Wasaga Beach with a notation “Amelia Earhart, Wasaga Beach, Elsie and I saw her take off.” This photo was taken by the father of Denton and Paul Brownridge and “Elsie” in the photo is their mother. Locals Elsie and Clarence Brownridge were in attendance. The photo was taken in the early 1930’s. There is speculation around why Amelia would have landed here. Amelia and Amy Mollison were friends and competitors. Perhaps Amelia landed in Wasaga Beach to support Mollison’s flight.Acquisition
Accession
2024.790Source or Donor
George and Jan PotopnykAcquisition Method
GiftDimensions
Height
27 inWidth
38-3/4 in
