Framed photograph of aviatrix Jean Batten

Jean Batten (15 September 1909 – 22 November 1982) was a pioneering New Zealand aviatrix renowned for her daring solo flights in the 1930s.
After failing twice, she successfully completed the first solo flight by a woman from England to Australia in her Gipsy Moth biplane in 1934, setting a new women's record. She flew the same aircraft back to England, becoming the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia and back.
In 1935, she became the first woman to fly solo across the South Atlantic, flying from England to Brazil and breaking James Mollison's records for the route. Pioneer Scottish aviator Jim Mollison was the husband of another famous aviatrix, Amy Johnson.
In 1936, she made history with the first solo flight from England to New Zealand, a record that stood for 44 years. She set a new solo record for the Australia to England flight in 1937, simultaneously holding records for both directions of the route.
She retired from long-distance flying after her 1937 flight.
She was a celebrated international hero, but after World War Two, she withdrew from public life and died in relative obscurity in Spain.

This framed portrait came from the collection of the Royal Aero Club of N.S.W. It is difficult to determine whether the photograph is an enlarged copy of a signed portrait or if the signature is actually on the photograph. A small black and white photograph of Jean Batten kissing a framed portrait in the clubrooms of the R.A.C. of N.S.W. is also held in the collection.

An article describing Jean Batten's record breaking flights is attached as a supplementary link.