GRAF FERDINAND von ZEPPELIN. The airship pioneer writes a letter regarding the receipt for cigar-cases benefiting the Red Cross. Third Person ALS: "Graf Zeppelin" in German, 1p, 5½ x 8½. Friedrichshafen, 1917 January 22.Fully translated: "Graf Zeppelin recommends to the Zeppelin Airship Construction Company to give the attorney at law, Mr. Schwab, the opportunity to receive orders for his timely cigar-cases benefiting the Red Cross." Ferdinand, Count von Zeppelin (1838-1917) entered the Prussian Army in 1858 and served in the Seven Weeks War and in the Franco-Prussian War. He was an observer with the Union army during the American Civil War. In 1891, he retired from the Prussian Army to devote himself to the building of motor-driven airships. Zeppelin invented the first rigid airship in 1900 and in 1906, built one that had a speed of 30 miles per hour. In 1908, he established at Friedrichshafen the Zeppelin Foundation for the development of aerial navigation and the manufacture of airships. Zeppelin died on March 8, 1917, seven weeks after writing this letter. Fine condition.
WERNHER von BRAUN The man who pioneered the concept of the space shuttle writes about space travel. Autograph Manuscript signed: "By Dr. Wernher von Braun" in title, 1p, 8¼ x 10½ ruled sheet. Manuscript page, which is written in pencil, is part of a longer manuscript ("1" written by von Braun at upper margin). Headed: "Space Travel/by Dr. Wernher von Braun/Chief, Guided Missile Development Division//Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala." In full: "There are few dreams of the future which have woven so fascinating a web around human fantasy as flight through space. Since the first, epoch-making experiments of the great American pioneer of rocketry, Robert H. Goddard; since the days when Hermann Oberth, the German, and the Russian Constantin E. Ziolkovsky published their startling writings on rocket propulsion, a veritable spate of literature has overwhelmed the public. This has covered the entire field ranging from serious, scientific dissertations to comic strips. Thus, the intelligent layman 
NEIL ARMSTRONG Two years before his first spaceflight, and five years before he set the first human foot on the moon, Armstrong fills out a flight plan, preparing to pilot a NASA jet from Ohio to Texas. Document signed twice: "N. A. Armstrong", 1 page, 8x12¾. Port Columbus, Naval Air Station [Ohio], 1964 June 25. Department of Defense flight aircraft clearance form. Details filled in by another hand, including mileage, transponder code, and equipment, but Armstrong has penned this notation: "Request radar vector climb on course." Armstrong plans to pilot a T-33 ("Shooting Star") aircraft from Port Columbus to Ellington Air Force Base in Texas, by way of Dayton. The co-pilot is J. F. Stegall, another NASA employee. Civilian Neil Alden Armstrong (1930-2012) had entered the U.S. space program as a senior NASA research pilot in 1962. A fan of aviation from the age of nine, Armstrong had his pilot's license by the age of 16, and, after studying aeronautical engineering at Purdue for two years, went to Pensacola, Florida for Navy flight training. Serving in Korea at the age of 21, Armstrong flew 78 combat missions and won three Air Medals.
CHARLES A. LINDBERGH Lindbergh's driver's license application signed by him twice and notarized, only three months before the kidnapping of his infant son. In the year after the kidnapping, with the baby found dead but no suspect yet apprehended, the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commissioner (and future Governor) Harold Hoffman sent this application to a radio station which was closely following the case. Hoffman, later unmasked as a criminal himself, meddled extensively in the kidnapping case. Document signed twice: "C. A. Lindbergh", 2 pages (front and verso), 3¾x5. Mercer County, New Jersey, 1931 December 29. New Jersey Automobile Driver's Renewal Application, filled out by Lindbergh himself, giving his address (Hopewell, New Jersey) and physical description. He gives New York City as his place of (self) employment, and attests that he has never had his license revoked or suspended, nor had he been refused a license. Signed and attested as truthful by Lindbergh on verso and notarized by "Edward R. Whitehead". Light vertical crease at center (not affecting signatures). Signatures slightly smudged (still legible). Lightly worn at edges. Otherwise, fine condition.
CHALLENGER STS-51L: DICK SCOBEE, MICHAEL J. SMITH, RONALD McNAIR, ELLISON ONIZUKA, JUDY RESNIK, GREG JARVIS and CHRISTA McAULIFFE This official NASA photograph is a crew photo of the ill-fated Challenger mission STS-51L, which exploded in midair on Jan. 29, 1986 and which was the deadliest accident in NASA history until the destruction of the Columbia in 2003. This rare photograph contains the signatures of all seven crew members of STS-51L, who are shown in flight suits and holding their helmets. All seven people in this photo died in the Challenger disaster. Comes with a signed statement by a Kennedy Space Center employee, who collected these signatures with the help of a fellow employee. Photograph signed: "Ellison Onizuka", "S. Christa McAuliffe", "Greg/Jarvis", "Judy Resnik", "Mike Smith", "Dick/Scobee" and "Ron McNair". Color, 10x8 overall, image 9¼x6¾ (one surface). NASA publicity photo with NASA logo in upper right corner. Captioned: "Crew of Space Shuttle/Mission 51-L.
CHALLENGER STS-51L CREW: FRANCIS R. "DICK" SCOBEE, MICHAEL J. SMITH, RONALD E. "RON" McNAIR, ELLISON S. "EL" ONIZUKA, JUDITH A. "JUDY" RESNIK, GREG JARVIS and CHRISTA McAULIFFE This official NASA photograph is a crew photo of the ill-fated Challenger mission STS-51L, which exploded in midair on January 28, 1986 and was the deadliest accident in NASA history until the destruction of the Columbia in 2003. This rare photograph contains the signatures of all seven crewmembers of STS-51L, who are shown in flight suits and holding their helmets Printed Photograph Signed in Ink: "Mike Smith", "Dick/ Scobee", "Ron McNair", "El Onizuka", "S. Christa/McAuliffe", "Greg/Jarvis", "Judy/ Resnik". Color, 10x8. Captioned: "Crew of Space Shuttle/ Mission 51-L. This photograph is an official NASA crew photo of the ill-fated Challenger mission STS-51L. It contains the signatures of all seven crewmembers, including teacher Christa McAuliffe, who died when the space shuttle exploded 73 seconds after launch.
CHARLES A. LINDBERGH "Lucky Lindy" talks about flying Jennies and why he dislikes reunions, ceremonies and dinners. TLS: "Charles", 1p, 8½x11. Germany, 1963 March 19. To Joe. On blue light-weight stationery. In full: "This is an awfully late answer to your January letter. My mail is always hopelessly stacked up, literally, and I have taken taken (sic) some of it abroad with me in the hope of catching up a bit at least with the letters I want most to write. It is really good of you to invite me to the reunion of the 110th Observation Squadron, and I do have a very close feeling toward the Squadron -- I often think of the old days flying 'Jennies' at Lambert Field. But Joe, I think reunions are for those who like them (and may God bless them). To me, reunions are pretty awful; they always detract from qualities of memory which I prefer to leave to the past where I think they belong and have the greatest value. Also, I like to live quietly and to concentrate on my work and interests. I realized, many years ago, that this kind of life was simply not compatible with ceremonies and dinners, for one led to another and there seemed to be no end.
CHALLENGER STS-51L: FRANCIS R. "DICK" SCOBEE, MICHAEL J. SMITH, RONALD E. "RON"McNAIR, ELLISON "EL" S. ONIZUKA, JUDITH A. "JUDY" RESNIK, GREG JARVIS and CHRISTA McAULIFFE Collection framed in the Gallery of History style to 42x28. Four of the astronauts signed envelopes postmarked the day they died Comprises: (1) DICK SCOBEE, JUDY RESNICK and RON McNAIR. Envelope signed: "Dick Scobee", "Judy Resnik" and "Ron McNair", 6¼x3½. 22¢ Abigail Adams stamp affixed. Postmarked Kennedy Space Center, FL, January 28, 1986 (the day of the Challenger tragedy).Typed at left margin: "Space Shuttle 51-L". The names of five members are typed below the heading. Scobee, Resnick and McNair have signed to the right of their names. Fine condition. (2) MICHAEL J. SMITH. Commemorative Envelope signed: "Michael J Smith", 6¼x3½. 15¢ stamp affixed, postmarked Pearlington, MS, May 20, 1980.
WILBUR WRIGHT Rare checks signed by the aviation pioneers. Collection consisting of 1.) Check filled out and signed: "Wright Brothers/W.W.," 8 x 2¾. Dayton Ohio, January 10, 1910. Drawn on The Winters National Bank, payable to M. A. Culp for $78.85. Fine condition. 2.) Check filled out and signed: "Wright Brothers/OW.", 8 x 2¾. Dayton, Ohio, February 1, 1908. Drawn on The Winters National Bank, payable to Ladaskie Miller for $6.00. Fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 31½ x 21½. During 1904 and 1905, the Wrights built and tested new planes and engines. An improved Flyer II was flown near Dayton, Ohio in 1904. They began designing Flyer III. At Simms Station, Ohio, on October 5, 1905, Wilbur flew for 24 miles in 38 minutes, landing only when their new Flyer III gas tank ran dry. The Flyer III was powered by a 15-horse powered engine. This was the Wright brothers' first flight of more than a half hour and renewed their confidence in man's ability to sustain flight. They had invented the first fully practical airplane that could turn, bank, circle and fly figure eights.
CHARLES A. LINDBERGH and ANN LINDBERGH The original, hand-written note authorizing John Condon to act on their behalf during the 1932 ransom investigation of their kidnapped son! Charles Lindbergh was America's hero. The "Lone Eagle's" intrepid voyage across the Atlantic, in 1927, inspired a public loyalty to Lindbergh that endured long after the flight's successful conclusion. In terms of aviation, Lindbergh did not rest on his laurels following his famed Atlantic crossing. He continued to blaze new airborne trails, often accompanied by his wife, Anne (1906-2001). Lindbergh (1902-1974) was more than just the first man to fly the Atlantic alone. His solo journey captured the imagination of an adoring public on numerous psychological levels. That his quest was bold and daring, and thus resonant with the nation's collective spirit of adventure, is obvious. The consequences of his success were equally clear. Lindbergh was revered as a national hero, given the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army Air Corps, awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the first Distinguished Flying Cross, and immersed in opportunities to leverage his new fame into wealth.
ORVILLE WRIGHT. Photograph signed: "Orville Wright". B/w, 6¼x4½ overall, image 5x3¼ (one surface). Captioned at lower margin: "First Man-Flight, December 17, 1903/Kitty Hawk, N.C." Orville Wright (1871-1948) and his brother, Wilbur (1867-1912), made aviation history with their Flyer in Kitty Hawk, on North Carolina's Outer Banks, on December 17, 1903. While the Wrights had been testing their gliders on Kill Devil Hill for a number of years, this was their first test of their motorized, heavier-than-air flying machine. At 10:35 a.m., Orville Wright was at the controls of the 21-foot biplane with the 40.3-foot wingspan. The 605 pound craft, powered by a 12-horsepower engine that had four piston cylinders and revved to 1,090 rpm, left the ground, staying aloft for 12 seconds and covering 120 feet at an altitude of ten feet. Later that day, during one of their three test flights, Wilbur also manned the controls, traveling 852 feet in 59 seconds. In 1905, Wilbur and Orville decided to stop flying and tried to market their machine, first offering it to the U.S. government and then flying it in France.
CHALLENGER STS-51L: FRANCIS R. "DICK" SCOBEE, MICHAEL J. SMITH, RONALD E. "RON" McNAIR, ELLISON S. "EL" ONIZUKA, JUDITH A. "JUDY" RESNIK, GREG JARVIS and CHRISTA McAULIFFE Official NASA photograph of the crew of the ill-fated Challenger mission STS-51L. Challenger exploded in midair on January 28, 1986, making it the deadliest accident in NASA history until the destruction of the Columbia in 2003. This rare photograph contains the signatures of all seven crewmembers of STS-51L, who are shown in flight suits and holding their helmets. All seven people in this photo perished in the Challenger disaster Inscribed Photograph signed: "Dot - Best Wishes" (unknown hand),"El Onizuka", "S. Christa/McAuliffe", "Greg Jarvis", "Judy/Resnik", "Mike Smith", "Dick/Scobee" and "Ron McNair". Color, 10x8 overall, image 9¼x6¾ (one surface). NASA publicity photo with NASA logo in upper left corner. Captioned: "Crew of Space Shuttle/Mission 51-L.
ORVILLE WRIGHT Orville Wright signed this document in 1945 to lease 135 acres of farm and pastureland that he owned in Indiana. This document was signed three years before Wright's death and offers a look into how he paid his bills late in life. Lease signed "Orville Wright" as Lessor. 2 pages, 8½x12¾, single-sided sheets, bound with two staples at top edge. Feb. 6, 1945. Wright signed this lease agreement to lease 135 acres of farm and pastureland in "Township 23 North", Indiana [possibly Fowlerton] to Clayton W. Dickerson of Jonesboro, Indiana. The lease's term was from March 1, 1945, to Feb. 28, 1946. Dickerson leased the farm - which included improvements like an orchard, garden lot and barn - for $6 per acre or a total of $810, paid in full to Wright on Sept. 1, 1945. This lease also laid out Dickerson's responsibilities. In short, he had to maintain the land and its buildings out of his own pocket and pay one-half the cost for seed and fertilizer and for threshing and hulling any crops, with Wright paying the other half. Wilbur (1867-1912, born near Millville, Indiana) and Orville (1871-1948, born in Dayton, Ohio) formed the Wright Cycle Company in 1892 and manufactured bicycles.Aviation & Space | Contracts / Documents
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COLONEL BUZZ ALDRIN - DOCUMENT SIGNED - HFSID 261941BUZZ ALDRIN, JR. Signed Californian certificate of appreciation from the Bicentennial Commemoration of the U. S. Constitution Certificate of appreciation signed "Buzz Aldrin". 1 page, 10¾x14 overall, 7¼x8¼ certificate, one surface, printed on cardstock.Sale Price $342.00
$380.00
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NEIL ARMSTRONG - DOCUMENT DOUBLE SIGNED 06/25/1964 - HFSID 314413NEIL ARMSTRONG Two years before his first spaceflight, and five years before he set the first human foot on the moon, Armstrong fills out a flight plan, preparing to pilot a NASA jet from Ohio to Texas. Document signed twice: "N. A. Armstrong", 1 page, 8x12¾.
Sale Price $4,462.50
$5,250.00
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COLONEL JOHN E. BLAHA - DOCUMENT SIGNED - HFSID 311667JOHN E. BLAHA The USA astronaut writes from the Discovery Space Ship, reporting his sightings from space as they travel across India Document Signed: "For You/John Blaha," in blue felt tip ink. 8½x11, 6 pages.
Sale Price $162.00
$180.00
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REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD E. BYRD - DOCUMENT SIGNED - HFSID 87410RICHARD E. BYRD The explorer of the North and South Pole signed this document that notes his expenses Document Signed: "REB", 1p, 8½x11. No place, no date. Headed: "R.E. Byrd's Expenses in Connection with Lectures.
Sale Price $270.00
$300.00
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REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD E. BYRD - DOCUMENT SIGNED 07/23/1917 - HFSID 4007RICHARD E. BYRD. Partly Printed DS: "R.E. Byrd" as Lieutenant "jg", U.S. Navy for the Chief of Bureau, 1p, 13½x5½. No place, 1917 July 23. On vellum. Headed:"Certificate of Qualification-Aeronautic School".In part:"This is to certify that Corporal Thomas L. Moody U.S.M.C.
Sale Price $765.00
$900.00
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SCOTT CROSSFIELD - DOCUMENT SIGNED - HFSID 305666SCOTT CROSSFIELD "Right stuff" pilot sends his best wishes Document Signed: "Good Luck!/Scott Crossfield," in black ink. 1 page, 8x11. July 9, 2002. The document was written to Scott Crossfield by a school teacher in response to the September 11th attacks.
Sale Price $198.00
$220.00
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ALEXANDER DE SEVERSKY - CONTRACT SIGNED 07/11/1944 CO-SIGNED BY: ANNA SOSENKO - HFSID 83356ALEXANDER P. deSEVERSKY Aviator and aeronautical engineer who invented the bombsight. Partly Printed DS: "Alexander P. deSeversky" and "Anna Sosenko", 1p, 8½x13. New York, 1944 July 11.
Sale Price $360.00
$400.00
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ENOLA GAY CREW - DOCUMENT SIGNED CO-SIGNED BY: ENOLA GAY CREW (THEODORE VAN KIRK), ENOLA GAY CREW (PAUL W. TIBBETS), ENOLA GAY CREW (COLONEL THOMAS W. FEREBEE) - HFSID 171984ATOMIC BOMB Reproduction of a receipt for the atomic bomb issued to Brigadier General T.F. Farrell, signed by Paul W. Tibbets, Theodore Van Kirk, and Thomas W. Ferebee Document signed: "Paul W. Tibbets-Pilot", "Theodore J Van Kirk/Navigator" and "Thomas W. Ferebee/Bombardier", 1p, 8½x11.
Sale Price $360.00
$400.00
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ENOLA GAY CREW - PRINTED DOCUMENT SIGNED IN INK CO-SIGNED BY: ENOLA GAY CREW (THEODORE VAN KIRK), ENOLA GAY CREW (PAUL W. TIBBETS), ENOLA GAY CREW (COLONEL THOMAS W. FEREBEE) - HFSID 257614Photocopy of General Carl Spaatz's 1945 orders for the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, signed in blue ink by three members of the Enola Gay in 1990: Paul W. Tibbets, Thomas Ferebee and Theodore J. Van Kirk
Sale Price $360.00
$400.00
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GEMINI IX CREW - INSCRIBED DOCUMENT SIGNED 06/03/1966 CO-SIGNED BY: CAPTAIN GENE CERNAN, LT. GENERAL THOMAS P. STAFFORD - HFSID 101183GEMINI IX CREW, CO-SIGNED BY: GENE CERNAN, THOMAS P. "TOM" STAFFORD Four-photo 15¾x19¾ montage of America's Gemini IX mission signed by crew members Stafford and Cernan Inscribed document signed "Tom Stafford" and "Gene Cernan". 15¾x19¾ mounting card.
Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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COLONEL JAMES B. "JIM" IRWIN - DOCUMENT SIGNED - HFSID 264762JIM IRWIN Jim Irwin signs an autograph document listing his expenses trips to California, Seattle, Victoria, British Columbia and Denver and income from sales in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania and Canada. Autograph Document Signed: "Jim Irwin", 1p, 8½x11 lined yellow sheet. No place, 1990 November 20.
Sale Price $342.00
$380.00
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WILLIAM P. LEAR - DOCUMENT SIGNED 04/09/1965 - HFSID 153496WILLIAM P. LEAR. Partly Printed DS: "Wm. P. Lear", 2p, 8½x11. Wichita, Kansas, 1965 April 9. Lear transfers ownership of his Occidental Life Insurance Company of California life insurance policy from himself to Lear Jet Corporation.
Sale Price $342.00
$380.00
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CHARLES A. LINDBERGH - AUTOGRAPH DOCUMENT SIGNED 03/10/1932 CO-SIGNED BY: ANNE MORROW LINDBERGH - HFSID 350445CHARLES A. LINDBERGH and ANN LINDBERGH The original, hand-written note authorizing John Condon to act on their behalf during the 1932 ransom investigation of their kidnapped son! Charles Lindbergh was America's hero.
Price: $20,000.00
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CHARLES A. LINDBERGH - DOCUMENT DOUBLE SIGNED 12/29/1931 CO-SIGNED BY: GOVERNOR HAROLD HOFFMAN - HFSID 304152Lindbergh's driver's license application signed by him twice and notarized, only three months before the kidnapping of his infant son. In the year after the kidnapping, with the baby found dead but no suspect yet apprehended, the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commissioner (and future Governor) Harold Hoffman sent this application to a radio station which was closely following the case. Hoffman, later unmasked as a criminal himself, meddled extensively in the kidnapping case.
Sale Price $3,825.00
$4,500.00
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MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM "BILLY" MITCHELL - DOCUMENT SIGNED 10/1919 CO-SIGNED BY: A. F. FULLER - HFSID 156639BILLY MITCHELL Typed DS: "Wm. Mitchell," 1p, 81/2x13. Washington, D.C., 1919 October [no day]. In full: "This agreement made this day of October 1919, by and
Sale Price $1,190.00
$1,400.00
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JEAN F. PICCARD - DOCUMENT UNSIGNED CIRCA 1948 - HFSID 264332JEAN FELIX PICCARD. Document unsigned, 2 p, 7x10¼. Data update form for Who's Who, stamped date of 1948 October 7. Previous entry on left side. Some minor requested changes have been typed in, along with a new address: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis [with handwritten "14, Minn.].
Sale Price $90.00
$100.00
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JEAN F. PICCARD - DOCUMENT UNSIGNED CIRCA 1949 - HFSID 264333JEAN FELIX PICCARD. Document unsigned, 2 p, 7x10½. Current data addenda form for biographic entry in Who's Who, stamped date of 1949 March 15. Previous entry affixed on verso.
Sale Price $90.00
$100.00
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HARRY RICHMAN - DOCUMENT SIGNED 09/21/1954 - HFSID 282427HARRY RICHMAN AFTRA membership signed by entertainer Harry Richman in 1954 Document signed "Harry Richman" in blue ink. Blue ink notations in unknown hand. 2 pages, 6x8½, 1 sheet, front and verso, with 6¼x3¼ initiation fee receipt carbon copy stapled at top edge. Sept. 21, 1954.
Sale Price $270.00
$300.00
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MAJOR EDWARD V. "EDDIE" RICKENBACKER - DOCUMENT SIGNED 05/20/1914 - HFSID 101282EDDIE RICKENBACKER Eddie Rickenbacker signs a document. Carbon Typed Document Signed: "Please return/E.V. Rickenbacker" in ink at lower margin, 1 p, 8x12¾, affixed to slightly larger blue cover folded in thirds to 8½x13¼. Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, 1914 May 20.
Sale Price $1,657.50
$1,950.00
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CAPTAIN WALLY M. SCHIRRA - DOCUMENT SIGNED 09/20/1984 - HFSID 250242WALTER M. SCHIRRA. Partly Printed DS: "W M Schirra", 1p, 8½x11. [Los Angeles], 1984 September 20.Form signed by Schirra prior to his appearance on Michael Jackson's radio show in Los Angeles. A KABC staffer has penned a summary of his 50-minute morning interview.
Sale Price $450.00
$500.00
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GENERAL JUAN VIGON SEURODIAZ - DOCUMENT SIGNED 10/17/1940 - HFSID 38341JUAN VIGON SUERODIAZ. Ornate Partly Printed DS: "Juan Vigon" in Spanishas Minister of the Air Force of Spain, 1p, 27½x19¾. Madrid, 1940 October 17. Awarding the "Cross of the 3rd Class of Military Merit with Distinction" to Colonel Eckart R. Krahmer. Not translated.
Sale Price $765.00
$900.00
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ORVILLE WRIGHT - DOCUMENT SIGNED 02/06/1945 - HFSID 279312Orville Wright signed this document in 1945 to lease 135 acres of farm and pastureland that he owned in Indiana. This document was signed three years before Wright's death and offers a look into how he paid his bills late in life.
Sale Price $2,762.50
$3,250.00
