'The Bleriot Trophy' bronze, by E. Carlier, French, Height 29 3/4 ins.

Signed "Carlier" on the rear base, bronze on a marble base, depicts a young, nude, winged man standing on a Bleriot monoplane whilst three cherubs keep him aloft in the clouds.

Louis Charles Joseph Blériot (1 July 1872 – 1 August 1936), After developing the world's first practical headlamp for automobiles (using a compact integral acetylene generator) and supplying his lamps to both Renault and Panhard-Levassor, Blériot had the time and finances to pursue a long time fascination with flight. He had eventually met Gabrial Voisin, creator of Europe's first manned, engine powered, heavier-than-air aircraft, major producer of WWI military aircraft and eventual founder of Avions Voisin motorcars. After a series of gliders and engine powered planes had been designed by the partnership, the two were awarded the Prix Osiris for their contribution to science as Frenchmen. At this time, the Daily Mail newspapers in England had put up a £1000 prize for the first flight over the English Channel. Amongst other heated competitors of the challenge, Bleriot's determination had set him off at sunrise on the 25th of July 1909 to claim victory of the prize and more importantly, for the already wealthy man, the dangerous challenge. The instant celebrities’ flight had taken 36 minutes and 30 seconds.