Mar 31, 2001, The B. H. Manuscript/Collectible/Philatelic Sale, Sale 9
Lot 328
Aldrin, Buzz (b.
1930). Astronaut and second man on the moon.
Signed Photo ("Buzz
Aldrin"). Color photographic print, 12 x 13" n.p., n.d. Inscribed,
"July 20, 1969 / 'We Came in Peace for all Mankind ' / Buzz Aldrin /
Lunar Module Pilot / Apollo XI". Signed in the margin in black ink.
Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from Peachstate Autographs. A
soft crease in the right margin, and a surface scratch at the upper left of
the print. Otherwise, in fine condition.
On this limited edition,
Artists' Proof print, the second man on the moon inscribes his noble
declaration.
Estimated Value $350-500.
Lot 329
Apollo Moonwalkers.
Signatures ("Alan Bean" and "Edward Mitchell").
One sheet, 6 x 10¼", n.p., n.d. Being an uncut sheet of two dollar
bills. In red ink. Very Fine condition.
Bean was the fourth man to
walk on the Moon and went on to command Skylab 3. Mitchell was the sixth
man to walk on the Moon and was backup pilot for both Apollo 10 and Apollo
16. Two very nice signatures.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 330
Apollo Soyuz Test
Project. Signatures ("Thomas Stafford", "Donald Slayton",
"Vance Brand", "Alexey Lenov", and "Valery Kubasov").
On the 16 x 20" mat of a photographic print of Nasa artwork, n.p., n.d.
Inscribed in black ink, "To the Al Gregorys / With very best wishes--
The Apollo - Soyuz Crew". The print has a light spot of residue at the
center right. Otherwise, the signatures are all bold and clear. In very
good condition overall.
The Apollo Soyuz Test Project was the first
manned space flight conducted by two nations -- the United States, and
Russia. Launched on July 15, 1975, the project was designed to test the
compatibility of rendezvous and docking systems for the spacecraft. Here,
the two craft are pictured during the historic moment, while docking in
space.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Superior Stamp & Coin, May
1996.
Lot 331
Apollo Soyuz Test
Project. Signatures ("Thomas Stafford", "Vance Brand",
"Donald Slayton", "Alexey Lenov", and "Valery
Kubasov"). On the 16 x 20" mat of a photographic print of Nasa artwork,
n.p., n.d. Inscribed in black ink, "To Don / With our very best wishes--
The Apollo - Soyuz Crew". Mat board is time stained. Signatures are
bold and clear.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Superior Stamp & Coin,
May 1996.
Lot 332
Byrd, Richard E
(1888-1957). American aviation pioneer and Antarctic explorer. Byrd
took full advantage of modern technology in his Arctic and Antarctic
explorations: he was the first person to effectively use planes, automobile
transportation, mechanical generators, radio communication and cameras in
large scale expeditions.
Signature ("RE Byrd"). Signed
cover, 5¾ x 3½", n.p., n.d. Five cent airmail stamp cancelled
S.S. City of New York, February 19, 1930. Large purple stamp with depiction
of Antarctica and "South Pole Air Mail" at center bottom. Also signed by
Harold J. June, A. R. McKinley, B. Balchen. Minor age toning, small stain
at right edge. In very good condition.
Commemorating the November
28, 1929, first-flight over the South Pole, this offering celebrates a date
important in both aviation and Antarctic history. Balchen piloted the Ford
tri-motor plane, named Floyd Bennett, Byrd served as navigator,
Harold June as co-pilot and radio operator and McKinley as aerial
photographer, and, using the sun and geological landmarks for guidance, the
group flew over the Pole shortly after midnight on November 29.
Estimated Value $100-150.
Lot 333
Earhart, Amelia
(1897- ? disappeared 1937). Celebrated American aviator, she was the
first woman to fly solo over the Atlantic. Earhart's disappearance while
attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean raised many questions and has led to
much speculation over the years, but her fate remains a mystery.
Signature ("Amelia Earhart"). Signed envelope, 6¾ x
4¾", Midland, Texas, August 22, 1929. Being an envelope signed by
Earhart and fifteen other female aviators and numerous male pilots.There is
a minor smudge over "arhart", but the signature is still strong. Age
toning, minor soil and cancelled stamps on the recto and verso.
On
the verso, a handwritten notation appears, "These pilots' signatures are
genuine and signed personally by woman pilots in the Woman's Derby Race at
Midland, Texas from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. August 22, 1929, Paul T. Vickers,
Secretary, Midland Chamber of Commerce." The National Women's Air Derby,
which included this stop in Midland, began on August 8 in Santa Monica with
an ultimate destination of Cleveland. Twenty women pilots from as far away
as Australia and Germany flew in Derby and, in addition to Earhart, the
signatures offered here include some of the pioneers of aviation: Theo
Rasche, Ruth Elder, Ruth Nichols, Louise Thaden (the Derby winner),
Vera Dawn Walker, Phoebe Fairgrave Omile, Jimmy Doolittle and
many others. With pilots flying for several hours at a time, stopping for
refueling and breaks for sleep, the race lasted eight days. The courage of
the women in the Derby in the face of a true physical challenge, male
resistance, public outcry and acts of sabotage to more than one plane (one
of the pilots, Marvel Crosson, died when her engine failed for unknown
reasons) is remarkable for any era, but particularly in an age when a
leading newspaper opposed to the Derby could print "Women have been
dependent on man for guidance for so long that when they are put on their
own resources they are handicapped." The race committee's reply, "We wish
to officially thumb our noses at the press," surely reflected the attitude
of these gutsy pilots. The item offered here is not only a wonderful
Earhart signature, but also a monument to the achievements of America's
early female pilots.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
Lot 334
Gagarin, Yuri
Alekseyevich (1934-1968). Russian cosmonaut and the first man in space.
Tragically, he was killed in a plane accident before he could travel to
space a second time.
1. Signed Photo ("Gagarin"). Color, 4 x
6", n.p., n.d. Signed in blue ink. 2. Signature ("Gagarin"). On a
Russian First Day Cover, 4 x 6", n.p., n.d. In blue ink. 3. Signature
("Gagarin"). On a Russian post card, 4 x 6", n.p., n.d. In blue ink.
Cosmonaut Gherman Stepanovich Titov also lends his signature to the
post card. Accompanied by four additional black and white photographs of
Gagarin picturing him in several official capacities including one picture
of school children at his burial tomb, and three commemorative stamps. The
group is in very good condition overall.
This collection offers a
variety of memorabilia of the premier cosmonaut, including a card signed by
both Gagarin and his colleague Gherman Stepanovich Titov.
Estimated
Value $600-800.
Lot 335
Hughes, Howard
(1905-1976). American inventor, aviator, movie producer and
businessman. Notoriously publicity shy in his later years, Hughes is
remembered today more for his eccentricities than his achievements.
Signed photograph ("Howard Hughes", "Dick Stoddard",
"Harry Connor", "Al Lodiwek", "Edward Lund" and
"Tommy Thurlow"). Black and white, 8½ x 8½", n.p.,
n.d. Beautifully matted and framed with photographs of their
record-breaking Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra, reception at various
airports and a printed summary of the achievement, overall size is 33 x
34". Minor creasing at left corner of photo, one ink spot at bottom right.
Not examined out of frame. Very good condition.
Hughes' fascination
with aviation is legendary and his record-breaking feats astounding by the
measure of any era. The fabulous photo offered here is a unique piece of
aviation history, as it features the signatures of Hughes and the crew he
took on the landmark July 1938 flight that broke the world speed record.
Hughes and crew flew 14,791 miles, taking off from New York with stops in
Paris, Moscow, Omsk, Yakutsk, Fairbanks and Minneapolis, landing in New
York in 3 days, 19 hours and 8 minutes. This is a gorgeous piece and very
desirable.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
Lot 336
Lindbergh, Charles
(1902-1974) American aviator and the first mass media superstar.
Lindbergh is remembered for flying The Spirit of St. Louis on the first
nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic in May of 1927. His feat astounded
and delighted the world and secured his position as one of the most
important figures in aeronautical history.
Signature ("C.A.
Lindbergh"). Signature on a beautiful printed black and white image of
the flyer, which serves as the frontspiece for a program booklet from a
dinner honoring Lindbergh. Four pages, 7½ x 10", Chicago, August 13,
1927. The front and back covers have separated from the silk cord binding
the booklet, but the interior pages remain together. Soiling and very minor
foxing on the front cover, but the interior, particularly the page with
Lindbergh's signature and image, remains fine.
One of the thousands
of dinners and events held in Lindbergh's honor, this event, sponsored by
the Mayor's Committee of Chicago and the Chicago Association of Commerce,
was held only three months after his historic flight. The guests at this
impressive event were treated to Glace Fantaisie a la Lindbergh for desert
and speeches by the Mayor and other notables. The grand finale was
presumably Lindbergh's speech on reception of "Chicago's Gift To The Guest
of Honor." Lindbergh came to resent the celebrity thrust upon him, but in
these early days of notoriety he was willing to serve as aviation's
ambassador.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
Lot 337
Mercury Astronauts.
The first Americans selected to travel into space, the Mercury group
consisted of Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Wally
Schirra, Gordon Cooper and Deke Slayton. Slayton never flew a Mercury
flight because of health problems and Grissom died in the Apollo 1 fire.
Typed Document Signed ("Alan Shepard," "D.C. Slayton," "John
Glenn," "Gordon Cooper," "Wally Schirra" and "Scott Carpenter").
Six pages, 8 x 10½", Houston, n.d. On "National Aeronautics and
Space Administration / Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center" letterhead. Strong
signatures, in excellent condition.
Signed by six of the original
Mercury astronauts, this typed transcript of Alan Shepard's historic
Freedom VII flight documents communications between the spacecraft and
Mission Control during the first American spaceflight. From countdown ("One
minute and counting, mark") to re-entry and recovery ("Astronaut now on
board"), a clear picture of Shepard's flight emerges. An impressive piece
of American space history. The only missing Mercury signature Virgil
Grissom's.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 338
Arctic Explorers.
Letters and signatures from men involved in Arctic and Antarctic
exploration in the 19th and 20th centuries. The publicity and scientific
excitement that accompanied the explorations of these men made their trips
legendary. 1. Peary, Robert E (1856-1920). Typed Letter Signed
("R.E. Peary"). One page, quarto, Washington D.C., January 2, 1907.
To Henry Smith at Scribner's. One clean cut (2") to right margin,
paper clip stain, otherwise very good. 2. Parry, William E
(1790-1855). British explorer, searched for the Northwest Passage.
Autograph Letter Signed ("WM Parry"). One page, octavo, London,
February 10, 1846. Hinge residue on verso, otherwise, fine condition. 3.
Franklin, Sir John (1786-1847). British explorer, died searching for
the Northwest Passage. Autograph Letter Signed ("John Franklin").
One page, recto and verso, small quarto, [Rainbow Patsos?], September 6,
1837. To his sister. Slightly ragged left edge, mailing folds, two small
round stains at top verso, otherwise, fine condition. 4. McClintock, Sir
Francis (1819-1907). British explorer, found Franklin's remains and
improved methods of Arctic sledge travel. Autograph Letter Signed ("
F.L. McClintock") One page, small octavo, Portsmouth, November 1, 1874.
On crested letterhead. Accompanied by a beautifully 7 x 9" colored
lithograph of McClintock in dress uniform. Fine condition. 5.
Stefansson, Vilhjalmur (1879-1962). Icelandic explorer and ethnologist
who made extensive studies of Inuit culture. Typed Document Signed
("Vilhjalmur Stefansson"). One page, quarto, n.p., February 9, 1934.
On onionskin paper. Being an announcement of a lecture by Stefansson at the
Army War College. Mounting traces on verso. Very good condition. 6.
Nobile, Umberto (1885-1978). Italian explorer, a pioneer in Arctic
aviation, he flew over the North Pole with Amundsen in the dirigible
"Norge" in 1926. Signature ("Umberto Nobile"). Being a signed Royal
Air Force cover commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Nocton Hall
Hospital. Accompanied by two glossy, unsigned photos of Nobile. Small area
of adhesive residue at lower right recto. Very good condition. 7.
Anderson, William (b. 1921). Captain of the USS Nautilus, the first
submarine to reach the North Pole under the ice pack. Signed Photograph.
("William Anderson"). Black and white, 8 x 10," n.p., n.d. Inscribed
in black ink "To Treasure Island Odditorium with best wishes." Head
and shoulder portrait. Ink lightly smeared at right edge of inscription and
signature. Otherwise, fine condition. 8. Amundsen, Roald
(1872-1928). Norwegian explorer, first to reach the South Pole, first to
fly over the North Pole and discoverer of the Northwest Passage. Signature
("Roald Amundsen"). One page, quarto, n.p., n.d. Inscribed in black
ink "Very sincerely yours." Fine condition.
A mix of business
and personal correspondence, this lot reflects the varied interests of this
intrepid group of men.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
Lot 339
Astronauts.
Collection of material signed by a variety of American astronauts.
Includes a program for the "Southern California Presidential Dinner" signed
by Buzz Aldrin and one Rabbi Edgar F. Magnin; a Signed Postcard of
Buzz Aldrin which bears his image while walking on the moon; an
Autograph Note Signed by Walt Cunningham of Apollo 7; a Calling Card
Signed by Scott Carpenter; a FDC signed by Scott Carpenter;
an Autograph Note Signed by Scott Carpenter; and Signed Photos of
Charles Conrad, Scott Carpenter, Joseph P. Allen, Dale A. Gardner,
Shannon W. Lucid, Elliot See, and Harrison H. Schmitt.
Conditions range from good to very fine.
Estimated Value $400-600.
Lot 340
Russian Cosmonauts.
Signed Photograph ("Gagarin", "Titov","
Nikolayev", "Popovich", and "Bykovsky"). Color, 11 x
8½", n.p., 1964. In different color inks. Small chip at bottom right
corner, a few creases, otherwise fine condition.
Hand stamped on the
verso by the Moscow Press Agency. A beautiful portrait of the first six
Soviet cosmonauts, featuring the first man in space (Gagarin), the first
person in space for 24 hours (Titov) and the first woman in space
(Tereshkova). This is a beautiful photo and great collector's piece.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.