GEORGE R. POND (1889-1935) Pioneering American pilot, early airmail aviator and barnstormer who negotiated the 8th transatlantic flight with Cesare Sabelli, later perishing with Sir Charles Kingsford Smith in the Burmese sea while attempting to break an England to Australia speed record. A fine grouping of six letters as co-pilot of Sabelli's plane "Leonardo da Vinci". Includes an A.L.S., 1p. 4to., Sept. 20th, 1934, on "Casa Dell'Aviatore" letterhead, fine content to Sabelli, hoping to get financing to rebuild the "Leonardo" three months after their historic heroes welcome in Rome. In part: "...I'll be happy to do it and finish the flight with you to New York..." . Another A.L.S., 4pp. 8vo., Liverpool, Oct. 2, 1934 to Sabelli hoping to make their flight back to New York the following Spring with financing raised by stamps sold by Ireland; also a postcard from the SS President Roosevelt, Oct. 5, 1934, to Sabelli yet again hoping that financing had been raised to repair their plane; an A.L.S. to "Peggy" [American aviatrix Peggy Rex], in part: "...we're nearly ready to start home..." ; also included is a rough draft intended for a form letter, undated but most definitely 1934, in part: "...in spite of a constantly full daily schedule of official functions, lunches, dinners, speeches in acknowledgement of medals and honors, etc..I am thinking of you..." . Lastly a T.L.S. 1p. 4to., Jan. 22, 1934 to Sabelli, fine content expressing his hope to commence their flight within the next several days as weather and moonlight were favorable. An exeptional and historically important aviation grouping as Pond is rare in any form. $1,000-1,200