Aviators and Explorers
LIVE AND INTERNET AUCTION - PART II
BEGINS AT 12 NOON EASTERN, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2002

1228. ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871 - 1948) American inventor and a pioneer of flight, Wright, with his brother Wilbur, made the first successful flight of a motor-driven airplane. A rare and unusual partly-printed D.S. "Orville Wright" ca. 1929, a 2 1/2" x 4" Annual Sporting License (a flying license), issued to Chester Brown Loomis by the National Aeronautic Association of the U.S.A., signed by Wright as Chairman of the organization in the left interior page opposite a photograph of the recipient. In very good condition. $700-900

1229. RICHARD E. BYRD (1888 - 1957) American aviator and explorer, first to fly over the South Pole and established the base "Little America". T.L.S. "Dick Byrd" on personal stationery, 1p. 4to., on Lecture Tour, Portland, Oregon, Jan. 16, 1931 to John Lawrence Fox, President of the Advertising Club of San Diego rejecting an invitation for an engagement during his time in San Diego. In part: "...I would not have much time, old fellow, to do anything in San Diego...I am going to tell you I am utterly swamped...As much as I would enjoy luncheons, etc., I can not accept any invitations. The only thing I am accepting is a dinner given by my hosts, the Junior League; I am breaking my rule in doing this...". One small tear at bottom, not affecting text, usual folds, otherwise very good. $100-150

1230. CHARLES A. LINDBERGH (1902 - 1974) American aviator who, in his "Spirit of St. Louis", was the first to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean. T.L.S. signed with initials "C.A.L." with several holograph notations, 1p. 4to., Les Monts-de-Corsier, Aug. 6, 1963 to his personal secretary Mrs. Jean Saunders regarding a manuscript sent by Mr. Guggenheim. In part: "...I have just received word that the manuscript for a book written by Milton Lomask has been sent to me... I am anxious to have this as soon as possible..." Also noted is the issue of a 1959 gray Volkswagen to be repaired for his son Scott. In part: "...Please ask the Riverside people to put it in first-class condition throughout. Please tell them that the clutch seems to be in bad condition, that the hood does not close properly, and that any body dents should be removed according to their discretion...Probably it would be a good idea if you make a copy of the above paragraph and give it to the Riverside service department...I have bracketed the portions of above paragraphs to be copied and turned over to the Riverside service Dept....". With transmittal envelope. Usual folds, otherwise fine. $400-600

1231. CHARLES A. LINDBERGH T.L.S. signed with initials "C.A.L.", Scotts Cove [Conn.], 1p. 4to., Apr. 7, 1968 to his personal secretary Mrs. Jean Saunders, who is referred to as "Miss Saunders", regarding a money order to J. Carlisle MacDonald to cover royalty fees for Lindbergh's first book, as noted by Mrs. Saunders in an accompanying letter. In full: "Dear Miss Saunders: Would you please get a money order for $45.33, made out to J. Carlisle MacDonald, and attach to the enclosed letter. If the letter is satisfactory to you, please sign and leave with the money order for me to mail. I enclose a check for $50.00. Put the balance in the household account please. Many thanks, C.A.L.". Usual folds, otherwise fine. $400-600

1232. CHARLES A. LINDBERGH Penciled A.N.S. signed with initials "C.A.L.", 1p. oblong 8vo., [n.p., c. 1970], on verso of calendar page dated Aug. 20, 1970 to his personal secretary Mrs. Jean Saunders. In full: "Mrs. Saunders: Sorry have had to leave for N.Y. Back tonight C.A.L.". Moderate creasing, tape remnants at top margin, otherwise very good. $200-300

1233. HENRY M. STANLEY (1841 - 1904) British journalist and explorer who discovered Dr. Livingstone at Ujiji. Manuscript L.S. 1p. 8vo., New York, Dec. 6, 1886 to a newspaper editor warmly thanking him for: "...your report of the lecture at Brooklyn...Permit me to give you my best thanks for the kind words that you used...". Very good. $150-200

1234. VIN FIZ RELIC - FIRST TRANSCONTINENTAL FLIGHT An exciting and historic aviation relic, a 2" x 2" section of the wing fabric of the Wright EX biplane "Vin Fiz" which in 1911 was piloted by Calbraith P. Rodgers in the first flight across the entire United States. William Randolph Hearst had offered a $50,000 prize to the first pilot to traverse the country. Rodgers, sponsoring the Armour Company's soda, "Vin Fiz", left Long Island on September 17th, following railroad tracks with his wife and company representatives following his route on the ground. After 82 hours and two minutes of flight, Rodgers reached Pasadena on November 5th, having made seventy landings, several crashes ands an in-flight collision with an eagle. Feeling that his flight would not be complete until he reached the Pacific, Rodgers again took off on November 12th and later landed on the beach, actually taxiing the planes' wheels into the ocean. All in all, enough spare parts were replaced on his craft to rebuild it four times, and when the plane's restoration commenced in 1960, this piece of fabric was removed in order for it to be replaced with a cleaner, more sturdy fabric. The relic is affixed to a poster-sized sheet picturing the Vin Fiz in flight, with a printed description at bottom. Accompanied by separate explanatory text from the National Air and Space Museum, with a Smithsonian Institution Certificate of Authentication. Very fine condition, and ideal for display! $400-600

NEXT SECTION: Astronauts and Cosmonauts - Lots 1235-1273

View Aviators and Explorers section from LIVE AND INTERNET AUCTION PART I - Lots 401-405