LOT #49730 |
Sold on Jun 7, 2014 for: Not Sold
Eddie Rickenbacker Signed Photo and Archive of Signed Letters, all to His Friend Charles Froesch of Eastern Airlines.... (Total: 2 )
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Description
"To my good friend Charles Froesch..."
Eddie Rickenbacker Signed Photo and Archive of Signed Letters, all to His Friend Charles Froesch of Eastern Airlines. A hand colored, original 8" x 10" photograph of a painting by famous American artist "Howard Chandler Christy/ March 1943" (the date being only four months after "Capt. Eddie's" rescue from the Pacific in WW II). Inscribed and signed: "To my good friend/ 'Charles Froesch'/ Eddie Rickenbacker" Nicely matted and framed circa 1943, overall 11" x 14", in superb condition. (NOTE: It was Howard Chandler Christy who also painted the famous portrait of Rickenbacker in WW I uniform with air combat scene in the background;Christy also noted for many other famous paintings including those of American presidents.)Rickenbacker among the most famed of all American combat pilots. In pre-WW I years he was among the top race car drivers in the world; in WW I he was the leading American air ace and the very first aviator to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroism. His post-WW I career equally notable and distinguished, being among the leading names in aviation advancement and history, the founder and president of Eastern Airlines and, in WW II, entrusted with a heroic mission for President Roosevelt and the War Department to Pacific air bases and to deliver a secret message to General MacArthur. The mission was ill fated; Captain Eddie's plane went down in the Pacific in enemy waters in November 1942 and the crew was adrift on life rafts and lost at sea for twenty-four days until rescued; Capt. Eddie not merely surviving the ordeal but taking a leading, heroic, role in keeping the crew together.
Accompanied by twenty-nine original letters from Eddie Rickenbacker to his longtime loyal friend Charles Froesch, written over a period from Christmas 1939 to October 1972. All of them on his personal letterheads "Edward B. Rickenbacker" with earliest printed address "New York City"; a few with address "Rickenbacker Ranch/ Hunt, Kerr County, Texas" (1951/53, 54, 56); and all others with his "Rockefeller Plaza/ New York" printed address. Most are single page, typed, a few are two pages; the majority are signed with his usual signature to a close friend "Eddie" or merely "Captain" with just one with a very bold full ink signature, and a few with secretarial signature in later years when he was very ill. Most letters of a personal nature expressing feelings about the country; patriotism; frustration about peace in the world; a few with religious overtones (especially at Christmas time); much about the then ensuing Korean War. All offer a superb insight into Captain Eddie's personality and all in excellent condition. It's obvious from these letters there was a steadfast, protracted relationship between the two men.
Also accompanied by copies of two October 1942 letters from Captain Eddie's wife Adelaide, written during the time Rickenbacker was lost at sea in WW II, expressing her admiration and love for Eddie and feeling he would be rescued. A most remarkable collection directly relating to one of America's most renowned and esteemed heroes (of two wars!) and among the most distinguished names in the history and advancement of American aviation.
Auction Info
2014 June 7 Civil War & Militaria Signature Auction - #6118 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2014
7th
Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 0
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Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $100,000 (minimum $14), plus 20% of any amount between $100,000 and $1,000,000, plus 12% of any amount over $1,000,000 per lot.
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