MAJOR EDWARD V. "EDDIE" RICKENBACKER - COMMEMORATIVE ENVELOPE SIGNED - HFSID 152080

EDDIE RICKENBACKER
Eddie Rickenbacker signs a commemorative envelope.
Commemorative Envelope signed: "Capt Eddie Rickenbacker" as General Manager of Eastern Air Lines, 6½x3½. Stamped cachet commemorates "Eastern Air Lines Inaugural Flight/New York to Houston Direct/December 14, 1936 Passengers, U.S. Mail & Express", 6-cent U.S. Air Mail stamp affixed, postmarked Newark, New Jersey, December 14, 1936. Captain Edward Vernon "Eddie" Rickenbacker (1890-1973) had joined North American Aviation, the parent company of Eastern in 1933 and became its General Manager in 1935, expanding its shipping and travel services. Rickenbacker purchased Eastern in March 1938 and became its President the following month. He remained in Chief Executive positions until his retirement in 1959. "Rick" had attained recognition as a race car driver before commanding the famed 94th "Hat-in-the-Ring" Squadron during WWI. He downed 26 enemy aircraft, becoming America's greatest Ace and received the Congressional Medal of Honor. After the war, Rickenbacker promoted commercial air travel and the advancement of air power for the U.S. military. During WWII, he was a special representative in the inspection of air bases in the Pacific. Typed address to collector in Spartanburg, S.C. at lower margin. Lightly creased and rippled. Slightly soiled, light paper clip rust stain at lower left margin. Overall, fine condition. Framed in the Gallery of History style: 21½x23¼.