William M. Rittase photographs of autogyro Pitcairn PCA-2
Creation: 1930sAbstract
William M. Rittase (1894-1968) was a commercial photographer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He worked for Fortune magazine and the advertising firm N.W. Ayer's of Philadelphia. He was nationally and internationally known for his work during his lifetime. This small collection comprises a series of six images that showcase the autogyro Pitcairn PCA-2 in flight, on a flight field, and its interior. These specific images are of aircraft serial number NC11610, purchased by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology.
Dates
- Creation: 1930s
Extent
6 item(s)
Physical Description
6 photograhic toned silver prints : b&w ; between 13 x 10.25 in. to 17.5 x 14 in. Signed by Rittase in pencil on mount recto. Partial or full label with print number in ink on mount verso.
Biographical Note
William M. Rittase (1894-1968) was a commercial photographer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He worked for Fortune magazine and the advertising firm N.W. Ayer's of Philadelphia.
Rittase was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Margaret J. Wertmiller Rittase (1861-1930) and Ephraim Nelson Rittase (1864-1945). Prior to World War I, Rittase worked as an engineer. During the war, he served as a Captain of the Artillery. At some point after his return from the war, he changed the course of his career and became a photographer.
Rittase started entering his photographs in competitions in 1926. From 1927 to 1930, he exhibited his work alongside other photographers and continued to enter photographic competitions. He began his career as a full-time commercial photographer in 1930.
In 1932, Rittase was among a small group of photographers included in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City titled Murals by American Painters and Photographers. The exhibition was among the first to deem commercial industrial photographs worthy of inclusion alongside more traditional art subjects. In 1933, he produced images at the Century of Progress International Exposition in Chicago.
By 1935, newspapers were hailing him as one of the country's leading photographers. His photographs were prolific. He was nationally and internationally known. Rittasse's photographic studies of industry, institutions, and schools have appeared in leading trade and professional journals. His works were published in magazines such as Life and Cornet. Rittase took photographs for DuPont, Budd Company, and Sperry-Rand. He did projects for the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University. He conducted photography classes and judged photo contests for local camera clubs in and around southeastern Pennsylvania.
His images can be found in art museum collections throughout the U.S.
Scope and Contents
This small collection comprises a series of six images that showcase the Pitcairn PCA-2 in flight, on a flight field, and its interior.
The autogyro Pitcairn PCA-2 began being promoted in 1931. It was the first model manufactured by the aircraft manufacturer Pitcairn Aviation, Inc. that gained traction in the wholesale market.
An autogyro is a rotary-winged aircraft, also known as a rotorcraft, that achieves its lift through the rotation of one or more sets of overhead rotor blades, unlike fixed-wing aircraft. Juan de la Cierva (1895-1936) invented the autogiro (spelling it with an "i") in 1920. In 1928, Pitcairn purchased the American manufacturing rights to Juan de la Cierva's designs. In 1929, Pitcairn formed the Pitcairn-Cierva Autogiro Company as a subsidiary. When competitors manufactured their version of an autogyro, the spelling was altered to bypass Cierva's copyright.
These specific images are of aircraft serial number NC11610, purchased by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology. The autogyro was used for research purposes, focusing on the study of flying insect migration at high altitudes. This use aligns with Pitcairn Autogiro's capabilities for low-altitude flight, semi-hovering, and short takeoffs and landings, making it suitable for aerial research applications, such as insect monitoring.
Of the interior views, one shows the gauges in detail, two are views of the cockpits, and one looks into the cockpit from outside. Additional images depict the aircraft in flight, as well as two people in the cockpits while on the field.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.
Language of Materials
English
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title:
- William M. Rittase photographs of autogyro Pitcairn PCA-2
- Author:
- Laurie Sather
- Date:
- 2025
- Description rules:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description:
- English
- Script of description:
- Latin
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Audiovisual Collections Repository
