American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

Oil on canvas of a P-59 Airacomet spiraling through the sky as a flaming jet crashes towards the sea signed by Leydenfrost at bottom left (some light cracks and abrasions). Visible area 29 × 22 in. Frame: 32 1/4 × 25 1/4 in. Provenance: A Private Collection.

Alexander Leydenfrost was a Hungarian-American industrial designer and illustrator whose artwork during the Second World War brought the immediacy and drama of the conflict into the homes of millions of Americans. Throughout the war he produced dozens of images of American military prowess for Esquire magazine; this work was reproduced on page 91 of the March 1945 issue. The P-59 Airacomet was manufactured by Bell Aircraft, and was the first jet built in the United States. Though its design was impressive the engine was underpowered and so it never saw combat during the war.