LOT #58226 |
Sold on Mar 25, 2008 for: Not Sold
Charles Lindbergh Autograph Letter Signed in Full. ...
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Description
During his cross-country tour to promote aviation, Lindbergh notifies MacCracken: "I took a medical examination... at the request of the Air Corps... my credentials for license renewal were satisfactory..."
Charles Lindbergh Autograph Letter Signed in Full. ALS
"Charles A. Lindbergh" on hotel stationery, 4 pages, 6" x
9.25", [Birmingham, Ala.], Oct. 6, 1927, to William P. MacCracken.
In full: "Dear Dr. MacCracken: Thanks very much for your letter.
I took a medical examination at Little Rock Ark. A few days ago, at
the request of the Air Corps; and passed with as good a rating as I
have ever received. I received a wire today from the Department
stating that my credentials for license renewal were satisfactory,
and the license [is] being forwarded so they apparently
located the forms you sent last August. The tour is still
progressing smoothly and our planes and engines in excellent
condition. Thanking you again and with my best wishes, I am,
Sincerely yours, Charles A. Lindbergh".Upon his return from Europe after his transatlantic flight, Lindbergh determined to use his newly gained fame to raise the profile of aviation as an important growth area of the economy. Henry Guggenheim, who had recently established a half a million dollar endowment to create a Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics, became Lindbergh's financial backer. Guggenheim sponsored a three-month tour of all 48 States, during which Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis would make stops in nearly every major city. Lindbergh would earn a princely salary of $50,000 for this exhausting schedule. The theme of the tour, and the espoused message was that "aviation had a brilliant future, in which America should lead."
The tour began on July 20, 1927 at Mitchell Field on Long Island. Lindbergh's path circled the U.S. traversing Portland, Maine to Seattle, San Diego, Jacksonville, and back to New York, with numerous stops along the way. At the time this present letter was written, he was nearing the end of his tour. Birmingham was one of the last stops as he traveled up the eastern seaboard. After a grueling 12 weeks and 22,350 miles, Lindbergh returned to New York on October 23, 1927.
A fantastic letter written during the very height of his fame. The letter has some uneven toning on page one and just beneath the signature on page four. Also, some paper has been filled on page three. Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope addressed in Lindbergh's hand, with evidence of professional restoration to a few minor tears. Written on four individual sheets, this is an ideal letter for display. The letter and cover are individually encapsulated and in near fine condition.
William P. MacCracken served as the first federal regulator of aviation. He was an experienced aviator who served as a flight instructor during World War I. In 1926 Herbert Hoover appointed him as the first Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Aeronautics. MacCracken also has the distinction of being the first recipient of a pilot's license to be issued by the U.S. Government which was issued on April 6, 1927.
Auction Info
2008 March Grand Format Air & Space Auction #6000 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
March, 2008
25th
Tuesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,374
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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