Authors: Ben Ruhe
Date Submitted: August 31, 2002
Article Type: Journal

In order to widen the audience for its collection of French language kite material, some of it rare and unusual, the Drachen Foundation hired Rebekah Pape of Seattle Pacific University to survey and organize the holding. Over the course of several months last year, she indexed books, journals, magazines, photographs, and drawings.

To appraise non-French speaking researchers as to what is available, she translated title pages and tables of content for most of the written matter. This material now can be examined by appointment and copying or translation of selected items may be made at cost, with Miss Pape being available to render this latter service if desired.

Of the books in the holding, Arthur Batut’s 1890 study on kite aerial photography is outstanding. Batut was the first person to make such photographs. Among other authors represented are Leailly, Houard, de Graffigny, Bescancon, Pichard, Poujoula, Romain, Saconney, Thiebault, Vines, Weber, and Schweisguth. Le Cornu is the knowledgeable author of several titles. Topics covered ranged from kite designs to man-lifters, rescue kites to games, wind toys to kites used in meterology.

PDF Link: Journal Issue