Airco DH-4B \"Chicago\" Original 1920s US Army Air Service Snapshot Photo For Sale

Airco DH-4B \"Chicago\" Original 1920s US Army Air Service Snapshot PhotoSame Nickname as the Famous Round-the-World Plane, BUT That\'s a Different Machine Entirely Approx: 4.10 x 2.60DESCRIPTIONOriginal vintage snapshot photograph of a US Army Air Service de Havilland DH-4B, individually named \"Chicago,\" nose number \"3\" painted large on the fuselage side. The type designation \"(DE)HAVILAND 4-B\" is stenciled directly on the rudder, confirming the identification beyond the airframe\'s already-distinctive tandem-strut wings and flat Liberty-engine nose. A second DH-4B of the same type sits in the background, which the originalowner noted by hand in period ink on the photo\'s face: \"CHICAGO, note \'bombers\' in rear,\" using the type\'s original WWI light-bomber designation even though by the 1920s these aircraft were more often flying observation, training, or air mail routes than dropping bombs.A light-colored circular marking is visible on the lower fuselage, aft of the front cockpit and distinct from the cockpit opening itself. It could not be confirmed as a national insignia (no star pattern is visible insideit under close inspection) and may be a fuel cap, inspection panel, or another marking; it\'s noted here rather than guessed at.Worth flagging for buyers: this is NOT the famous Douglas World Cruiser \"Chicago\" flown by Lowell Smith on the 1924 first-ever flight around the world. That aircraft was a different type entirely (a Douglas biplane, nota de Havilland), and Chicago was simply a popular nickname applied to more than one Army aircraft in this period.This photo\'s \"Chicago\" is its own, separate airplane, most likely named for a home base or route connection to the city rather than any world-flight association. The building visible in the left background, a large multi-story structure with a long row of windows, is consistent with hangar or depot architecture at a Chicago-area airfield of the period (such as Ashburn Field, an early Chicago airmail and Air Service field used through the 1920s), though the exact base and squadron are not confirmed by any marking visible on the print itself.The photo was removed from a period photo album; small amounts of the album\'s black paper stock remain adhered to the corners and back, and the top edge is naturally deckled/torn from that removal, both original to howthe photo was kept, not damage from handling.Photo measures approximately 4.1 x 2.6 inches.
Ships flat in a rigid photo mailer with an acid-free sleeve.
DO NOT BEND.CONDITIONGood original vintage snapshot. Clear, sharp central image with strong tonal contrast on the airframe. Corners and top edge show album removal: black album paper remnants adhered at the corners, and a naturally torn/deckled top edge, both consistent with how the photo was originally mounted rather than later damage. Scattered small foxing spots throughout, typical of a period print of this age. A short surface crease is visible near the tail on the right side; does not affect the main subject. Back is obscured by album paper remnant, no legible writing or stamps visible on it. Period caption in pink/red ink on the photo\'s face reads \"Chicago\" and \"note bombers in rear,\" original to the piece and part of its charm and story, not a defect.Sold as-is, see photos for exact item.