Skip to main content
Notice: The Library is open for research by appointment only, please visit our research services page for more information.

Colonel J. Victor Dallin films

Creation: 1927 Creation: 1940s
 Collection
Accession: 2018-226

Abstract

Colonel J. (John) Victor Dallin (1897-1991) was an aviator and photographer who founded the Dallin Aerial Surveys Company in 1924. This small collection of films were shot by Dallin. There are five films, three are home movies, one is the reception for Charles Lindbergh in Philadelphia, and the fifth film contents is unidentified at this time.

Dates

  • Creation: 1927
  • Creation: 1940s

Creator

Extent

5 item(s)

Physical Description

1 reel (300 ft) : si., b&w ; 16mm. 1 reel (600 ft) : si., b&w ; 16mm. 1 reel (100 ft) : si., col. ; 16mm. 1 reel (100 ft) : si., col. ; 16mm. 1 reel (100 ft) : si. ; 8mm.

Biographical Note

Colonel J. (John) Victor Dallin (1897-1991) was an aviator and photographer who founded the Dallin Aerial Surveys Company in 1924. Born in Bristol, England, Dallin graduated from the School of Military Aeronautics, Oxford, and became a pilot at seventeen years old. He served as a pilot in the Royal Air Corps during World War I. During the war he became involved in aerial photography on a reconnaissance mission during the latter stages of the war.

In 1919 he moved to Philadelphia, and joined Bishop and Barker, a firm which did some aerial survey work. He went on to meet and marry Jeanne Moseman Dallin (1900-2005). Jeanne M. Dallin was born in Charlotte, North Carolina and moved to New York City with her family where she attended business school. The couple had three children: Jeanne Elaine Dallin Thompson (1922-2012), Joyce D. Fischer (1926-?), and J. Victor Dallin Jr. (1937-2012).

In the 1920s, Dallin worked at the Philadelphia Aero Service Corporation which operated a flying school in South Philadelphia. He began working there as a pilot and worked his way up to executive. In 1924, he left to establish his own company and started Dallin Aerial Surveys as a single proprietorship. He was the first manager of Philadelphia International Airport and Commanding Officer of 103rd Observation Squadron Penna. National Guard. Dallin retired in 1973 to Southern Pines, North Carolina.

Scope and Content

This small collection of films were shot by Dallin. There are five films, three are home movies, one is the reception for Charles Lindbergh in Philadelphia in 1927, and the fifth film contents is unidentified at this time. The home movies show the family on various occasions, such as swimming at a resort, going to the zoo, having a picnic, and playing near airplanes. These family films were shot throughout the 1930s and 1940s. There are instances where Dallin himself does appear on camera, therefore someone else was doing the filming. Dallin's wife and three children appear in the films, as well as other friends and family members. Images of airplanes taking off or landing appear in all four films.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.

There are no viewing or listening stations for analog audio, video, or film in the reading room. To access this material, please place a digitization request for the item(s).

Film material (Film Cans 1-5) is located in remote storage. Please contact staff 48 hours in advance of research visit at askhagley@hagley.org

Related Material

Dallin Aerial Survey Company photographs (Accession 1970.200), Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library.

Aerial cameras owned and used by Dallin Aerial Surveys are in the collection of the Hagley Museum.

Language of Materials

English

Related Names

Subject

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Colonel J. Victor Dallin films
Author:
Laurie Sather
Date:
2018
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

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400