Rare menu commemorating first flight from London to Brighton goes on sale in Sussex

An exceptionally rare menu celebrating a landmark in British aviation - the first flight from London to Brighton - is to go on sale at a Sussex auction next month.
By Sarah Page
Published 17th Jun 2021, 16:16 BST
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The dinner recorded in the menu was hosted by local businessman and keen supporter of aviation Harry Preston.

The menu will go on sale at Bellmans auction house in Wisborough Green on July 15 and is expected to sell for up to £300.

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It commemorates the first flight from London to Brighton which was taken by Oscar Morison in his Bleriot XI monoplane.

A rare menu commemorating the first flight from London to Brighton is to be auctioned in Wisborough GreenA rare menu commemorating the first flight from London to Brighton is to be auctioned in Wisborough Green
A rare menu commemorating the first flight from London to Brighton is to be auctioned in Wisborough Green

Flying from Brooklands Aerodrome, near Weybridge, on February 15 1911, he crash-landed on Brighton beach at ‘Banjo Groyne.’

He was unharmed and attended the dinner in his honour five days later.

The broken propeller from the flight has recently found a new home in Brighton Museum.

The printed menu and toast list with pictorial cover is signed by both Morison and Preston and a third unidentified signatory and is expected to fetch £200 - £300 in the auction.

Related topics:BrightonSussexLondon