Autographs

Aviators & Astronauts

Apollo 11 Kapton Foil

Lot 1
Aldrin, Buzz (1930- ) American astronaut. In 1969 he took part in the first moon landing, the Apollo 11 mission, and became the second man to set foot on the moon.

Typed Letter Signed ("Buzz Aldrin"). One page, quarto, n.p., nd. On "Apollo 11 / Buzz Aldrin / Astronaut" letterhead with a ¼ x ¼" piece of Kapton heat reflecting foil affixed to front. Very Fine.

Aldrin's letter outlines the importance of the Kapton foil in protecting the space module and astronauts. The flight of Apollo 11 changed man's perception of his place in the Universe.
Estimated Value $600-700.

Lot 2
Bleriot, Louis (1872-1909) French aviator, he made the first flight over the English Channel (1909) -- the first flight over open water.

Signed Photographic Postcard ("L. Bleriot"). 3½ x 5½", France, 1929. Sepia toned portrait signed with black ink in bottom margin. Verso has divided back and "Bleriot-Aéronautique" stamp. Transmittal envelope included. Lovely, strong signature, some faint silvering to photo, minor abrasion to upper left corner. Fine condition.

One of the great heroes of early aviation, Berliot designed and flew his own planes.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 3
Carpenter, John (b. 1925). American astronaut, part of the original Mercury Seven team. Beginning after high school, Carpenter's aspirations became clear: he entered a Navy flight program at the University of Colorado, and gained flight training upon becoming a Navy Seal in 1949. While serving during the Korean War, Carpenter was able to add submarine pilot to his resume. Then in 1959, he was selected by NASA to enter the space program and served as John Glenn's backup pilot in preparation for the first manned orbital flight. He became the prime pilot for the MA-7 mission, but unfortunately the troubled Aurora 7 mission suffered from several miscalculations.

Document Signed ("Scott Carpenter / Aurora 7"). One page, quarto, n.p., n.d. On "NASA / Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center" letterhead. Being a typescript summary of the May 24, 1962, flight of the Aurora 7 spacecraft. Two ink corrections. Fine.

A complete summary of Carpenter's flight, signed by the astronaut himself.
Estimated Value $150-250.

Lot 4
Earhart, Amelia (1898-1937) 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"). One page, 4¾ x 3¾", n.p., n.d. Black ink on white heavy stock. Some adhesive/paper residue from an album on verso, otherwise very good to fine condition.
Estimated Value $200-300.

Lot 5
Eckener, Hugo (1868-1964) German aviator, he built and piloted the Graf Zepplin on its 1929 World Flight.

Signature ("Dr. Eckener"). One page, 4 x 3½", n.p., n.d. Black ink on cream paper. Very faint toning to left edge does not affect signature, faint ink transfer at top edge only visible on close inspection. Very good condition.
Estimated Value $125-200.

Lot 6
Gemini V Signatures. Two signatures ("Gordon Cooper" and "Charles Conrad, Jr."). One page, quarto, Houston, n.d. On National Aeronautics and Space Administration letterhead. Fine.

A brief summary of the Gemini V journey followed by the signatures of the brave astronauts.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 7
Grissom, Virgil "Gus" (1926-1967) One of the original Mercury astronauts, Grissom lost his life when fire flashed through the Apollo I module he was leading through a countdown simulation.

Check Signed ("Virgil I Grissom"). Partially printed, accomplished in autograph. San Antonio, November 15, 1954. Drawn on the National Bank of Fort Sam Houston (payable to the same institution) in the amount of $775.57. Punch cancellation does not affect signature, one faint stamp cancellation overlays but in no way obscures "Vir." Very good to fine.

After flying 100 missions in Korea, Grissom was stationed at Bryan, Texas, working as a flight instructor and using all of his spare time to hone his own flying skills.
Estimated Value $700-800.

Hughes World-Record Flight on Film

Lot 8
Howard Hughes Around the World "Extra" Newsreel (1905-1976) American industrialist, movie producer and aviator. He made his fortune through the Hughes Tool Co., made his debut as a film director in 1926, and from 1935 to 1938 broke many world aviation records. Notable movies include Hell's Angels (1930) and The Outlaw (1941). Notoriously publicity shy in his later years, Hughes is remembered today more for his eccentricities than his achievements.

Reprint of Paramount News' Extra Edition newsreel of Hughes and crew landing in New York after their record breaking 1938 around the world flight. "Hughes Does It!" "Less than four days -- Around the world! Paramount News brings you the first pictures of the landing at New York" proclaim the opening titles as the footage of Hughes unspools.

The wonder and excitement of Hughes' world record is vivid in this time capsule of the event. The exciting "Extra" in bold at the beginning of this newsreel, the cheering crowds, and the joy of Hughes and his crew remind us of the magnitude of a four day circumnavigation of the globe. While the impact of the Hughes 1938 flight has faded over time, it is clear in this film how remarkable the achievement was -- and how thrilled the country was over its accomplishment.
Estimated Value $200-300.
But for the the large framed piece below, this exceptional Howard Hughes collection was put together by the late Clem Wojdak, long-time coin dealer and collector from Los Angeles. Displayed for many years at the Queen Mary Coin Show, this wonderful assortment was initially accumulated as a way to promote the Coin Show and has since become one of the treasure troves of Hughes material. We are delighted to offer such a wonderful collection.

Lot 9
Howard Hughes Autograph. Signature ("Howard Hughes"). One page, octavo, n.p., n.d. In blue ink on a blue album page. There is minor toning around the edges of the page, and the far right edge is crookedly trimmed, but the signature is strong and the overall condition is fine.

Obviously from a collector's album, this is a strong signature in wonderful condition.
Estimated Value $600-700.

Lot 10
Howard Hughes Christmas Card and Telegrams. Lot of three items includes Howard Hughes' printed Christmas Card, sent to newspaper woman Virginia Wright in 1948. Printed gold letters inside and out. Minor toning, overall fine condition. The two telegrams in this lot are also addressed to Ms. Wright and are signed by Johnny Meyer, Hughes' aide: the first, dated February 13, 1946, invites her to be a guest on Hughes' "Constellation", flying from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, "Howard Hughes would like you to be his guest on a flight in the TWA Constellation..."; the second telegram (dated February 20) is a reschedule, "Howard Hughes is very sorry but unexpected circumstances have arisen making it necessary to postpone..."

Wright was an old friend of Hughes and we are fortunate to offer this small glimpse into his life.
Estimated Value $150-250.

Hughes and Noah Dietrich Contract

Lot 11
Howard Hughes Contract with Noah Dietrich. Document Signed ("Howard R. Hughes"). Three pages, quarto, Houston, September 9, 1940. Typescript on onion skin paper. Being a contract between Hughes Tool Company and Howard Hughes employing Hughes to test fly planes for the company. Noah Dietrich signs for Hughes Tool and has penned a guarantee of authenticity (dated June 4, 1973) on verso of third page. Toning at edges; faint foxing on page two; staple holes at top left corners; notary seal and blank affixed to bottom of third page, with adhesive residue visible. Overall, very good condition.

This is reportedly the only contract Dietrich ever signed with Howard Hughes, in over 30 years of managing Hughes Tool and Howard Hughes' personal interests. If this is indeed the case, this document is remarkable for its rarity more than its content (which IS very interesting), and is a unique relic of one of the most profitable business relationships of the mid- 20th century, as Dietrich's efforts were largely responsible for the transformation of Hughes from a merely wealthy man to a billionaire. The contract between Hughes Tool and Howard Hughes employs him to act as chief pilot of a specific plane, relieves Hughes of responsibility for damages or liabilities connected with the plane, limits access to the radio equipment on the plane solely to Hughes, and in the event of separation allows for all FCC licenses for the radio equipment to be cancelled. It is hard to not place too much emphasis on the secrecy regarding the radio equipment in the plane, given our hindsight into Hughes' eccentricities and abilities as an inventor....
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.

Rare Hughes Contract

Lot 12
Howard Hughes Contract with Richard Stoddart. Document Signed ("Howard R. Hughes"). Six pages, large quarto, Los Angeles, May 18, 1938. Being an agreement to provide insurance for Richard R. Stoddart on his flights with Hughes, also signed by Stoddart. In original blue legal folder with three horizontal folds, stapled at top edge, minor creasing and two small tears to blue folder. Accompanied by original transmittal envelope (never mailed). Strong signatures, very good to fine condition.

Surviving Hughes contracts seem to be few and far between and this contract is quite interesting in the context of the Hughes aviation legend. Here, Hughes Aircraft Company commits $25,000 to an account with the National Broadcasting Company to compensate for losses if engineer Stoddart were to be injured or "lost" in the "conducting of certain flights" (the circumnavigation) being planned by Howard Hughes. Various provisions are made for injury, including payment of the entire principal if Stoddart were to lose "Both feet by actual separation at or above the ankles" or "Entire sight of one eye, if irrevocably lost, and one hand at or above the wrist by severance" for example. Partial payment would be due for other injuries, including loss of "Speech or Hearing if entire or irrevocable". Loss of life would result in the whole amount being paid to Elizabeth Stoddart.

It is important to consider the above clauses in the light of what Hughes and his crew were attempting -- circumnavigation in a small plane, in less than four days, with only seven stops. Flying was only 35 years old and most of the advances Hughes elaborated on had occurred since the First World War -- a mere 20 years of innovation and experimentation. The extraordinary feat was indeed fraught with danger and the success of the crew more notable for that.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.

Lot 13
Howard Hughes Inscription and Autograph. Signature ("Howard Hughes"). One page, octavo, n.p., late 1930s. Inscribed "Best wishes to Bill Brown" in green ink on the first page of Brown's Pilot Log Book. Paper has toned and many other signatures surround, but do not obscure Hughes'. Very good to fine condition.

A great Hughes autograph in a wonderful piece of aviation memorabilia. William Brown, pilot and owner of Brown Flying Service of Michigan, collected Hughes' signature and many others in his Pilot Log Book, which includes flights from 1936-1939 (many of them recorded in the same green ink with which Hughes signed). Brown flew all over the midwest, giving instruction and picking up passengers, and must have met Hughes fairly early in the span covered by this logbook, as Hughes signature appears at the top of the title page. Many of the other signatures are students and local folks, but there are a few aviation notables, including Col. Floyd E. Evans and "Sinnie" Sinclair. A unique offering which emphasizes Hughes' connections to, and following in, the aviation world.
Estimated Value $800-900.

Lot 14
Howard Hughes Print Ephemera. A varied lot made up of a variety of printed materials relating to Hughes and his life. Includes a photostat copy of Hughes' 1971 divorce decree from Elizabeth Hughes; a notarized copy of Hughes' Birth Certificate; a 1969 Hughes Aircraft Pass reportedly used by a worker who helped paint the interior of the "Spruce Goose" hangar; a page from the July 9, 1946, Los Angeles Examiner with photos of Hughes' Beverly Hills crash; an invitation to the 1983 Grand Opening of the Spruce Goose in Long Beach, CA, with postcards and brochures; seven paperbacks from the late 1960s and early 1970s (one in Italian has been inscribed by Noah Dietrich); eleven magazines, most of them from the late 1960s and early 1970s featuring articles about Hughes and his eccentricities -- notable among the magazines are the first and last Time Magazines Hughes appeared on (1948 and 1976) and two aviation magazines from 1971, which present Hughes as a "Great Airman."

A nice grouping for the Hughes enthusiast, offering a good look at the public perception of Howard Hughes towards the end of his life.
Estimated Value $400-UP.

Lot 15
Howard Hughes Signed Flight Cover. Signed Flown Flight Cover ("Howard Hughes"). A fine Hughes signature in black ink appears at the left of the many postmarks and stamps on this cover. Postmarked in New York at 5 P.M. on July 10, 1938, and at 5 P.M. on July 14, to mark the beginning and end of the flight; other postmarks are Paris and Moscow; the special Hughes flight cachets are prominent, as are stamps from France and the Soviet Union, and this piece is in fine condition.

A wonderful piece of postal and aviation history with a strong signature.
Estimated Value $1,500-1,750.

Lot 16
Howard Hughes Signed Flight Cover. Signed Flown Flight Cover ("Howard Hughes"). A fine Hughes signature in black ink. Stamps and postmarks identical to the envelope above, also in fine condition.
Estimated Value $1,500-1,750.

Lot 17
Howard Hughes Signed Flight Cover. Signed Flown Flight Cover ("Howard Hughes"). A fine Hughes signature in black ink overlaps the Paris postmark, but is not obscured. Otherwise identical to the pieces above, also fine condition.
Estimated Value $1,500-1,750.

Lot 18
Howard Hughes Signed Flight Cover. Signed Flown Flight Cover ("Howard Hughes"). A fine Hughes signature in black ink touches the Paris postmark on the "d" and "es". Stamps and postmarks identical to those above, also fine condition.
Estimated Value $1,500-1,750.