Aviators and Explorers
LIVE AND INTERNET SALE - PART I
BEGINS AT 1 PM EASTERN, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2002

Early funding for the construction of the Spirit of St. Louis

401. 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. A rare and most desirable partly-printed D.S., a check from the Robertson Aircraft Corporation dated Jan. 31, 1927 made payable to "C. A. Lindbergh" for the amount of $175.00 drawn on the Boatmen's Bank of St. Louis. Hurriedly endorsed "C.A. Lindbergh Jr." on verso. This check was likely the first of several stipend checks given to Lindbergh by Robertson Aircraft during the construction of the Spirit of St. Louis. Lindbergh worked for Robertson as an air-mail pilot in 1925 upon his graduation from the U.S. Air Service Flying School. Appointed as Chief Pilot, he taught other pilots, and in 1926 flew the Chicago to St. Louis air-mail route. He drew his last paycheck from Robertson as a regular pilot on Dec. 31, 1926 when he began work full-time in pursuit of the $25,000 Orteig Prize offered for the first trans-Atlantic solo flight. Robertson Aircraft would provide the first $1000 toward the purchase and modification of the Spirit of St. Louis. Cancellation punches do not affect signatures, but do affect Lindbergh's name on the payee line, otherwise the check bears very light soiling, two vertical creases, otherwise in very good to fine condition. $3,000-5,000 !=

402. ROBERT FALCON SCOTT (1868 - 1912) British polar explorer remembered for his bravery in losing the race to the South Pole. His first expedition on the Discovery (1901-04, an attempt that included Ernest Shackleton) took him within 450 miles of the South Pole before he had to turn back. Scott later led the Terra Nova expedition, which reached the pole in January, 1912 -- only to discover that Norwegian Roald Amundsen had been there a month earlier. On the return trip Scott and his party of four all died of hunger and extreme cold. Their bodies were found just 11 miles from a food and fuel depot. Rare A.L.S. 2pp. sm. 8vo., London, Jan. 25 [n.y.] to a Mr. Christy. In part: "...The enclosed concerns a lecture I'm giving for charity - I think I told you about it. Would you do me the kindness to send the Mayor this information...I'm sorry to trouble you but I've no other means of complying with his request...". Very good.$1,000-1,500 !=

Signed by Wright and his engine builder

403. WILBUR WRIGHT (1867 - 1912) American aviation pioneer who, with his brother Orville, accomplished the first motor-powered aircraft flight at Kitty Hawk on December 17, 1903. A rare, fine association D.S. signed twice: "Wright Cycle Co." and initialed "W.W.", 1p. 8 1/4" x 3 1'/4", Dayton, Mar. 9, 1907, a check drawing on The Winters National Bank making an $18.00 payment to Charles E. Taylor, who endorses the check on verso. Punch cancel affects "Co." in signature, spindle hole not affecting anything, otherwise fine. CHARLES E. TAYLOR (1868-1956) was the builder of the engine for the first Wright airplane, the Wright Flyer I. Taylor started to work for the Wright brothers on June 15, 1901, making routine repairs on bicycles, allowing the brothers to pursue their glider experiments. Taylor started building the engine in the winter of 1902-03. Without any formal drawings available, Taylor and the Wrights had to crudely sketch out each part on a piece of paper. After a thorough discussion about the drawing, Taylor would pin it above his workbench and go to work to complete it. Using these sketches and specifications, he finished the engine in six weeks-an amazing accomplishment. $2,000-3,000 !=

404. SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT ARCHIVE - IGOR SIKORSKY (1889 - 1972) American aeronautical engineer and inventor of the first helicopter and multi-engine plane. A large, impressive historic archive of photographs and documents documenting early tests of Sikorsky's helicopters and flying boats from 1925 to 1945. Included are approximately 200 original photographs of early Sikorsky aircraft, including biplanes, helicopters and seaplanes, with many close-up shots and images of various aircraft following a crash. Among the aircraft represented is the first helicopter, the VS-300, VS-457, the first mass-produced helicopter, the R-4, the S-43 flying boat, and various other aircraft, original drawings and calculations, many sketches and schematic drawings of various machinery, test results, and so on, some of which appears to be in Sikorsky's hand, and a descriptive specification of the S-43 flying boat. Also included is an original blueprint carbon signed by Sikorsky showing an inboard profile of his VS-327 helicopter (later called the R-5), dated March, 1942 and an account of the first R-4 delivery flight made in June, 1942. A most informative and important archive, in overall fine condition. $500-600 !=

405. ERNEST HENRY SHACKLETON (1874 - 1922) British polar explorer who accompanied Scott in his attempt to achieve the South Pole, later he led another expedition which resulted in the destruction of his vessel by ice and an 800 mile voyage in an open help to seek help. Rare L.S. "E. H. Shackleton" on 1907 British Antarctic Expedition letterhead, 1p. 8vo., [n.d.], written upon Shackleton's ship, the S/Y NIMROD. In full: "At the request of W. Robertson Secretary of the Post & Telegraph Department, I am sending you a letter bearing the stamp of this post office. E. H. Shackleton". Some mat burn at margins, light toning otherwise and very good overall. In 1907-1909, Shackleton led the British Antarctic (Nimrod) Expedition. Shackleton's sledge expedition went within 97 miles of the South Pole, and during this expedition, the Victoria Land Plateau was claimed for Britain. Shackleton was knighted upon his return. $400-600 !=

NEXT SECTION: Astronauts and Cosmonauts - Lots 406-416

View Aviators and Explorers section from LIVE AND INERNET AUCTION PART II - Lots 1235-1273