Description:

HUGH DOWDING
(1882 - 1970) Royal Air Force officer. Dowding was Air Officer Commanding RAF Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain and is generally credited with playing a crucial role in Britain's defense, and hence, the defeat of Hitler's plan to invade Britain. He was unwillingly replaced in November 1940. A.L.S. 'Dowding', 1p. 8vo., Southborough, England, Aug. 1, 1955, to WILLIAM M. AITKEN, 1ST BARON BEAVERBROOK. In part:'.. I think that the enclosed will amuse you. It was what I gave to the Sunday Express in response to a telephonic request for my reactions after the Daily Express report on Eisenhower's announcement of the U.S. intention to construct and launch satellites...' Dowding's response accompanies this letter and reads in part: 'I have seen the article headed 'Flying Saucers - Official' in this morning's DAILY EXPRESS. It is an example of confused thinking to suppose that man-made artificial satellites have anything to do with the objects which are popularly known as Flying Saucers...they will be made of known materials, projected into their orbits by known methods and will be subject throughout to the Earth's gravitational field...DAILY EXPRESS 'Opinion' asks: - 'What about Flying Saucers now? Hallucinations? Spots on the Sun?' Anyone who has been satisfied with these explanations to date will have no cause to change his opinion because a new long-range weather recording device is projected for launching in two year's time. Or can it be that the hitherto sceptical [sic] DAILY EXPRESS is booking a seat on the Flying Saucer Band Wagon?.. Sold with a typed copy of the original letter sent to Beaverbrook.

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June 14, 2023 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000