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Space, Aviation, and Wright Brothers

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1.   APOLLO-SOYUZ

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Beautiful, large 25" by 35" limited-edition print by George Bishop commemorating the historic link-up between American Apollo and Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in1975.  Signed by American astronauts Thomas Stafford and Deke Slayton, and by Soyuz cosmonauts Valery Kubasov and Alexei Leonov (the first man to walk in space).   $650.00

2.   GREGORY “PAPPY” BOYINGTON (1912-1988). 

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Sioux warrior, USMC Fighter Ace in World War Two with 24 victories to his credit.  Commanded Marine Corps Fighter Squadron VMF 214, the “Black Sheep Squadron.”   Limited edition print by artist Paul Thomas showing Boyington’s Corsair fighter plane flying low over the Pacific.  Signed and numbered by the artist, and boldly signed “Pappy Boyington.”  $395.00

3.   GREGORY “PAPPY” BOYINGTON (1912-1988). 

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Sioux warrior, USMC Fighter Ace in World War Two with 24 victories to his credit.  Commanded Marine Corps Fighter Squadron VMF 214, the “Black Sheep Squadron.”  Great copy of Boyington’s book Baa Baa Back Sheep, (Wilson Press, Inc.:  Fresno, CA, 1958).  Signed and inscribed on the front portrait page by Boyington.   $225.00

4.   Rear Admiral RICHARD EVELYN BYRD (1888-1957). 

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US Naval Officer, Pioneering Polar Explorer.  An adventurous aviator, he was a winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor for his reported first flight over the North Pole.  Very nice copy of Byrd’s book chronicling his historic South Pole expedition, Little America:  Aerial Exploration in the Antarctic – The Flight to the South Pole (GP Putnam’s Sons:  New York, 1930).  Signed on the flyleaf “R E Byrd.”  $250.00
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5.   JIMMY DOOLITTLE (1896-1993)

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Army Air Force General, Medal of Honor winner, leader of the famous and daring bombing raid on Tokyo early in World War Two, leading a group of carrier-launched B-25 bombers in the first bombing attack on Japan after Pearl Harbor.  Limited edition print by renowned American artist Paul Calle.  An official artist for NASA, Calle’s space and aviation works are well-known and represented in countless museum collections. Numbered original lithograph from the limited edition of 1000 commissioned by the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in 1976.  A large and impressive 18” by 29” portrait in uniform, as lieutenant-general commanding the US 8th Army Air Force stationed in England during World War Two.  Signed by both Jimmy Doolittle and Paul Calle.  Doolittle died in 1993, and his signed material is becoming increasingly scarce.  A terrific item in new condition.    $395.00
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6.   JOE FOSS

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Captain, USMC, multiple ace in the Second World War.  Credited with 26 victories while flying with Marine Fighter Squadron 121. Limited edition color print of Foss’s Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat by artist John Ficklen.  Numbered from the limited edition of 950.  Signed by both Joe Foss and John Ficklen.   $185.00
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7.   ADOLF GALLAND

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Luftwaffe General commanding the fighter branch during World War Two, winner of the Knights Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds and a kill total of 104. Only general to lead a squadron into battle. Adolf Galland, The First and the Last: The German Fighter Force in World War II (Methuen & Co: London, 1953). Good copy in dustjacket, signed on the half-title page by Galland. SOLD
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8.   ADOLF GALLAND

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Beautiful limited edition print by renowned aviation artist Robert Taylor showing Galland and several squadron-mates flying their Me262 jet fighters past a downed US bomber. Signed by Taylor and numbered from the artist’s proof edition of 100. Also signed by Galland himself, as well as Hans-Ekkehard Bob, Gottfried Fährmann, and Walter Krupinski, who were all members of Galland’s elite JV-44 jet fighter squadron. A superb and striking piece of World War Two aviation art. This print lists for $790.00. New condition.   SOLD OUT
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9.   CHARLES A. LINDBERGH (1902-1974)

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American aviator who won fame as “Lucky Lindy” for his historic solo flight across the Atlantic. Charles A. Lindbergh, The Spirit of St. Louis (Charles Scribner’s Sons: New York, 1953). Good hardback copy. Signed and inscribed on the title page by Lindbergh.  SOLD
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10.   MERCURY 7 ASTRONAUTS

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Large 25" by 35" limited-edition print signed by six of the seven Mercury astronauts: Alan Shepard, Wally Schirra, John Glenn, Deke Slayton, Gordon Cooper, and Scott Carpenter. Betty Grissom signed for her husband Gus Grissom (who died in 1967 in the tragic Apollo 1 fire).   $785.00

11.   JAMES A. MOLLINSON (1905-1959).

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British aviator, first to solo the Atlantic heading West, first to fly from England to both South America and the United States.  Signature on paper.  $65.00
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12.   EDDIE RICKENBACKER (1890-1973)

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Already famous as a racing car driver, he became America’s “Ace of Aces” as the highest scoring fighter pilot for the US during World War One. Commanded the 94th Aero Pursuit Squadron. Winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Later President and General Manager of Eastern Air Lines1938-1963. Edward V. Rickenbacker, Rickenbacker: An Autobiography (Prentice-Hall, Inc.: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1967). Boldly signed and inscribed copy with dustjacket. $390.00
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13.   EDDIE RICKENBACKER (1890-1973)

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America’s "Ace of Aces" as the highest scoring fighter pilot for the US during World War One. First day cover for the fifteen-cent Trans-Atlantic Air Mail stamp, postmarked August 20, 1947. Lovely engraved vignette of a four-engine airliner flying over the coast with a lighthouse and sailboat in the background. Signed on the front “Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker.”   $175.00  SOLD

14.   EDDIE RICKENBACKER (1890-1973)

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America’s “Ace of Aces” as the highest scoring fighter pilot for the US during World War One.  Great personal check made payable to Western Union for $9.73, dated August 7, 1969.  Boldly signed “E. V. Rickenbacker,” matching the personal imprint at the top of the check.    $165.00

15.   EDDIE RICKENBACKER (1890-1973)

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America’s “Ace of Aces” as the highest scoring fighter pilot for the US during World War One.  Nice copy, with dustjacket, of Rickenbacker’s book Seven Came Through:  Rickenbacker’s Full Story Including His Message to America (Country Life Press: Garden City, NY, 1943).  This is a great account of Rickenbacker’s harrowing ordeal during the Second World War, when he and a handful of crewman were lost at sea after their plane crashed into the Pacific.  All of the proceeds for the book went to “The Army Air Force Aid Society,” at Rickenbacker’s direction.  Signed and inscribed on the flyleaf by Rickenbacker, and dated 1943.  $325.00

16.  Lt. JAMES C WHITTAKER.   (Eddie Rickenbacker)

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Officer in the US Army Air Corps Transport Command, co-pilot of the doomed plane that wrecked in the Pacific, stranding Eddie Rickenbacker and several other crewmen at sea for weeks.  Scarce copy of We Thought We Heard the Angels Sing:  The Complete Epic Story of the Ordeal and Rescue of Those Who Were With Eddie Rickenbacker on the Plane Lost in the Pacific (EP Dutton & Company, Inc.:  New York, 1945), signed by the author, Lieutenant James C. Whittaker.  This account is a great compliment to Rickenbacker’s own version, and far more difficult to come by.  Numerous black and white illustrations throughout.  $225.00

17.   CHARLES E. TAYLOR (1868-1956) / ORVILLE WRIGHT

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Wright Brothers’ Craftsman, Engineer, Engine Mechanic.  He helped the Wright Brothers with the wind tunnel testing of their first gliders, and was later tasked with building the engine that would power the first airplane.   An extraordinary craftsman, Taylor hand-built the unique custom engine that propelled the Wright Flyer to success at Kitty Hawk.  The First Flight could not have succeeded without him.  A check drawn on the Winters National Bank written four years after the historic First Flight, payable to C. E. Taylor.  Written entirely by Orville Wright, who signed the check “Wright Cycle Co., o.w.”  Dated April 6, 1907.  Endorsed with Taylor’s signature on the reverse “C. E. Taylor.”  A great piece of aviation history signed by both the first pilot and the gifted mechanic who built the first airplane engine.  Checks (of any sort) on the Wrights’ Cycle Company account are very scarce.  Hole cancellation affects the “Cy” of “Cycle Company,” otherwise very good with an especially bold Taylor signature. $1475.00
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18.   WILBUR WRIGHT

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Aviation pioneer, co-inventor of the airplane along with his brother Orville.  Wright Cycle Company check made out Wm. J. Hammer.  Dated October 15, 1909.  Signed “Wright Brothers, w.w.”  Most "Wright Brothers" checks that surface on the market are signed by Lorin Wright, Orville and Wilbur’s brother and business partner – some few are signed and initialed by Orville Wright.   Anything signed by Wilbur Wright, however, is considered extremely rare, since he died in 1912.  This entire document is filled out and signed in Wilbur’s hand.  SOLD
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19.   WRIGHT CYCLE COMPANY

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Wright Cycle Co. check dated  December 26, 1907, made out and signed “Wright Cycle Co., o. w.” by Orville Wright, co-inventor of the airplane.  Payable to the Wright Brothers’ sister, Katherine Wright.  Along with younger brother Lorin, she managed the day-to-day business affairs of the Wright Cycle Company.  This is a very rare example of the Wright Brother’s Bicycle Company account, entirely in the hand of Orville Wright, and is one of only a handful of these documents in private hands. A rare artifact from the bicycle shop that changed the world. $1350.00
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20.   WILBUR WRIGHT'S CHECKBOOK

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Wilbur’s 1909 Wright Brothers’ checkbook with fourteen entries including two for the clerk of the US Court for $50.  One cancelled check written and signed by Wilbur Wright, payable to Standard Oil of New York, is included.  The check is dated October 1, 1909, and signed “Wright Brothers, w.w.”  The checkbook contains another thirty-four unused checks.   A tantalizing pencil inscription is on the inside cover, “Bleriot, 49 & Broadway.”  Louis Bleriot was a French pioneer aviator who became the first man to fly across the English Channel on July 25, 1909.  An extraordinarily rare Wright Brothers financial item, directly from the Brothers’ estate. (Price on Request)  SOLD
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21.   ORVILLE WRIGHT'S BANK DEPOSIT BOOK

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An account book of the Winters National Bank, Dayton, Ohio in account with Orville Wright.  The first deposit is dated October 26, 1912, for $4,000.00 and the last entry is dated April 4, 1918, showing a balance of $382.53.  During this period of time Orville’s deposits totaled $1,253,936.54!  There are sixteen pages of entries, with the largest deposit being made on October 25, 1916, for $257,910.94.  It would be impossible to overstate the rarity of this one-of-a-kind pieceThis unique financial item provides fascinating insight regarding the cash flow for the co-inventor of the airplane. (Price on Request)

22.   ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1949)

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Aviation pioneer.  Orville piloted the first powered aircraft, which he developed with his brother Wilbur, at Kitty Hawk in 1903.  Check of the Winters National Bank payable to Orville’s long-time personal secretary Mabel Beck for $81.64.  Especially bold signature, “Orville Wright.”  Dated June 18, 1937, and signed “Orville Wright.”  $525.00
23. ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1949)

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Aviation pioneer.  Orville piloted the first powered aircraft, which he developed with his brother Wilbur, at Kitty Hawk in 1903.  Original check of the Winters National Bank of Dayton, Ohio, payable to Aviation for $3.00.  Signed by Orville Wright on November 2, 1936.  Aviation was one of the early aeronautic industry magazines, published by McGraw Hill.  An interesting check showing Orville's lasting professional interest in the field he helped create. An especially bold and dark signature.  $700.00
24. ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1949)

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Aviation pioneer.  Orville piloted the first powered aircraft, which he developed with his brother Wilbur, at Kitty Hawk in 1903.  Attractive and scarce bank “Counter Check” of the Winters National Bank of Dayton, Ohio, dated April 14, 1916, payable for $100.  This is a special bank check with printed “pay to myself only (endorsement waived)” payee line.  Nothing on the reverse.  Written entirely by Orville and signed “Orville Wright.”  A nice check, and far less common than those written from the Wright’s own checkbooks.  $695.00
25. ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1949)

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Aviation pioneer.  Orville piloted the first powered aircraft, which he developed with his brother Wilbur, at Kitty Hawk in 1903.  Attractive counter check of the Union Trust Bank of Dayton, Ohio, dated December 24, 1930.  Payable to the “Orville Wright,” signed “Orville Wright,” and endorsed “Orville Wright” on the reverse!  Entirely written by Orville, and signed three times by him.  Rare and unique Orville Wright check, made out on Christmas Eve.  Great aviation souvenir from the first pilot! $1250.00
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“CONQUEST OF THE SKIES” WRIGHT BROTHERS PORTFOLIO.  Very hard to find commemorative portfolio compiled by the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.  Published in 1978, on the 75th Anniversary of the first flight, we are offering a few original, unissued copies for the 100th Anniversary this year.  $45.00

Attractive cardstock portfolio (with a map of the Kitty Hawk region on the inside) containing:

  1. 12” by 15” Photo of the First Flight
  2. 20-page Historical Booklet “First Flight:  The Story of Wilbur and Orville Wright’s Invention of the Airplane.”
  3. Reproduction of the May 1900 five-page letter from Wilbur Wright to Octave Chanute detailing his plans to build a flying machine.
  4. Two reproductions of the Wright’s calculations made on the back of scraps of wallpaper.
  5. Seven farmable copies of 8” by 10” photographs of Wright gliders and flyers.
  6. Two photographs of the lift balance in the wind tunnel, and the airfoils tested on the balance.
  7. Reproduction of the original 3-view drawing of the Kitty Hawk Flyer made by the Wrights on brown wrapping paper.
  8. Reproduction of the Wright Brothers’ first patent (with drawings)
  9. Reproduction of the telegram announcing the first flight.
  10. Reprint of the first published account of the Wrights’ successful development of the airplane (from “Gleanings in Bee Culture”)

27.   WRIGHT BROTHERS 1908 ACCOUNT BOOK

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An account book of the Farmers & Merchants Bank, of Dayton, Ohio, for the Wright Brothers.  The first entry is for $300.00 on April 4, 1910, and the last is February 3, 1912, (the year of Wilbur’s death) showing a balance of $299.90.  Excellent condition.  A rare and absolutely unique Wright Brothers financial item.  (Price on Request)
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28.  (WRIGHT BROTHERS).

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Aviation pioneers, co-inventors of the airplane. Official check of the Wright Brothers, written and signed by Lorin Wright, Wilbur and Orville's brother and business manager.  Check dated February 12, 1908, to Ellis Hardware for $27.31. Signed “Wright Brothers.” Museum-quality framed with a photograph of the Wright Brothers, and a picture of the first flight.  $375.00

29.  (WRIGHT BROTHERS).

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Aviation pioneers, co-inventors of the airplane.  Great check of the Winters National Bank in Dayton, Ohio, payable to the “Park Avenue Hotel” in New York, for $400.  Dated November 2, 1910, and signed “Wright Brothers” by Orville Wright.  "Wright Brothers" checks signed by Orville are very rare.  Additionally, the entire check is in Orville’s hand.  This check probably covered the Wright team’s stay in New York for the Gorden Bennet Air Race held in Belmont Park, NY, the last week of October 1910.  The Wright’s brought several custom biplanes of their own manufacture and design to this race – including the so-called “Baby Grand,” a V-8 powered Wright Model R that Orville test-piloted at over 70 mph on October 25 at Belmont.  Includes a picture of Orville in a Wright Flyer, perfect for framing.  $1250.00