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Behind the Scenes of The Aviator and the Showman

Step into the visual backroom of the story. This mini photo album offers a sneak peek at the images that helped me chase down the real Amelia Earhart and George Palmer Putnam—not just the icons, but the schemers, dreamers, and headline-makers they were. From crash landings to cocktail parties, Electras to love letters, each photo here shaped the twists in The Aviator and the Showman. You’ll find many more inside the book—but these are a few favorites I couldn’t stop staring at. Welcome to the evidence.

Amelia and George on the rooftop of Boston’s Copley Hotel, 1928—a private art session arranged by George, who couldn’t hide his growing infatuation with the daring flier.
Amelia and George on the rooftop of Boston’s Copley Hotel, 1928—a private art session arranged by George, who couldn’t hide his growing infatuation with the daring flier.
Newlyweds in 1931: Amelia and George’s official wedding portrait.
Newlyweds in 1931: Amelia and George’s official wedding portrait.
Surviving copies of George’s once-famous Kid Explorer series. Initially tested on his son David, the first installment, Boys Book Adventure, later evolved to include girl explorers, reflecting Amelia’s influence. Parents were required to sign liability waivers, and some tales, like that of Augusto Flores, even hit bestseller lists.
Surviving copies of George’s once-famous Kid Explorer series. Initially tested on his son David, the first installment, Boys Book Adventure, later evolved to include girl explorers, reflecting Amelia’s influence. Parents were required to sign liability waivers, and some tales, like that of Augusto Flores, even hit bestseller lists.
The “Female Lindbergh” campaign hit full throttle with George Palmer Putnam’s push. Helmet, goggles, intense gaze: America’s newest Lindy was primed for takeoff.
The “Female Lindbergh” campaign hit full throttle with George Palmer Putnam’s push. Helmet, goggles, intense gaze: America’s newest Lindy was primed for takeoff.
Mabel “Queen of Diamonds” Boll—an ambitious socialite who married into money—was set to beat Amelia as the first woman to cross the Atlantic in 1928.
Mabel “Queen of Diamonds” Boll—an ambitious socialite who married into money—was set to beat Amelia as the first woman to cross the Atlantic in 1928.
With calm confidence, Amelia dismisses reporters’ concerns about the tiny size of Howland Island.
With calm confidence, Amelia dismisses reporters’ concerns about the tiny size of Howland Island.
These magazine covers highlight the contrasting narratives surrounding Amelia Earhart. On the left, Man’s Illustrated indulges in sensational speculation, driven by conspiracy theories about her disappearance, hinting at everything from espionage to mythical captures. In contrast, Ms. magazine honors her legacy as a trailblazer, emphasizing her adventurous spirit.
These magazine covers highlight the contrasting narratives surrounding Amelia Earhart. On the left, Man’s Illustrated indulges in sensational speculation, driven by conspiracy theories about her disappearance, hinting at everything from espionage to mythical captures. In contrast, Ms. magazine honors her legacy as a trailblazer, emphasizing her adventurous spirit.
This rare self-portrait captures Amelia Earhart honing her photography skills long before she became a household name. Misplaced for decades, it resurfaced among the belongings of her mother, Amy Otis Earhart, in Berkeley—an intimate and unexpected discovery.
This rare self-portrait captures Amelia Earhart honing her photography skills long before she became a household name. Misplaced for decades, it resurfaced among the belongings of her mother, Amy Otis Earhart, in Berkeley—an intimate and unexpected discovery.
A rare business card from the Heigh-Ho Club, launched on New Year’s Eve 1928 by George Palmer Putnam and his then wife Dorothy Binney Putnam and legendary Jazz Age impresario Don Dickerman. Marketed as a “dry” club—wink, wink—it combined Art Moderne elegance with a strictly enforced Ivy League vibe and an antisemitic door policy. Amelia Earhart was a frequent guest.
A rare business card from the Heigh-Ho Club, launched on New Year’s Eve 1928 by George Palmer Putnam and his then wife Dorothy Binney Putnam and legendary Jazz Age impresario Don Dickerman. Marketed as a “dry” club—wink, wink—it combined Art Moderne elegance with a strictly enforced Ivy League vibe and an antisemitic door policy. Amelia Earhart was a frequent guest.
There was no escaping George’s marketing genius. As his focus turned to Amelia, he strategically placed her on the covers of Mid-Week Pictorial, the precursor to The New York Times Magazine, featuring her in stunts like scuba diving and cavern climbing.
There was no escaping George’s marketing genius. As his focus turned to Amelia, he strategically placed her on the covers of Mid-Week Pictorial, the precursor to The New York Times Magazine, featuring her in stunts like scuba diving and cavern climbing.
On the rooftop of London’s Hyde Park Hotel in June 1928, with Captain Hilton H. Railey—the suave Southern gentleman who persuaded her to take on the transatlantic flight as a passenger. Railey harbored suspicions about George Putnam’s intentions toward Amelia, whom he viewed as a new ward.
On the rooftop of London’s Hyde Park Hotel in June 1928, with Captain Hilton H. Railey—the suave Southern gentleman who persuaded her to take on the transatlantic flight as a passenger. Railey harbored suspicions about George Putnam’s intentions toward Amelia, whom he viewed as a new ward.
Often overlooked is Amelia’s tender role as a stepmother to David and George Jr. (“Junie”). In this rare quiet moment with Junie is a glimpse of the warmth and affection she brought to their lives, revealing a softer side of the trailblazer often lost amid her remarkable achievements.
Often overlooked is Amelia’s tender role as a stepmother to David and George Jr. (“Junie”). In this rare quiet moment with Junie is a glimpse of the warmth and affection she brought to their lives, revealing a softer side of the trailblazer often lost amid her remarkable achievements.
This rarely seen family Bible entry, photographed by the author at a family member’s home, marks Amelia Earhart’s death date as July 2—just shy of eighteen months after her mysterious disappearance. The court officially pronounced her dead on January 5, 1939, based on testimony from various witnesses, including her husband, George Palmer Putnam.
This rarely seen family Bible entry, photographed by the author at a family member’s home, marks Amelia Earhart’s death date as July 2—just shy of eighteen months after her mysterious disappearance. The court officially pronounced her dead on January 5, 1939, based on testimony from various witnesses, including her husband, George Palmer Putnam.
The mythical 1929 transport license: a PR tale spun by George, who blamed missing paperwork for Amelia’s lack of license—the truth being, she didn’t secure it until May 1930.
The mythical 1929 transport license: a PR tale spun by George, who blamed missing paperwork for Amelia’s lack of license—the truth being, she didn’t secure it until May 1930.