MAJOR EDWARD V. "EDDIE" RICKENBACKER - DOCUMENT SIGNED 05/20/1914 - HFSID 101282

EDDIE 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. A certified copy of the "Satisfaction" in the case of George Payne vs Ed Reichenbacher (sic), Firestone Columbus Motor Car Company, and W.H. Hellen Motor Car Company. Appearance docket 122, Page 265. In full: "For and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars received this date, I hereby release and discharge and satisfy this judgment as to defendant Reichenbacher (sic), but without prejudice as to any rights of action against other defendants." Signatures in type: "George Payne,/Plaintiff./W.C. Fraser/Attorney for Plaintiff." At the time he signed this document Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (1890-1973) was spelling his last name "Rickenbacher" (he changed the spelling to "Rickenbacker" in 1918, four years later). Rickenbacker, who became America's top flying ace in WWI, had started his career in the automobile industry, first in a garage and then at the Frayer-Miller automobile manufacturing plant in Columbus, Ohio. In 1907, he went to Firestone-Columbus Motor Car Company. In 1910, as Firestone's branch manager for the mid-West, he began racing the cars he was selling, and by 1912, the 22-year-old had turned to racing full time, becoming known as "King of the Dirt Tracks". In 1914, the year of this document, Rickenbacker set a world speed record of 134 miles per hour at Daytona. Two years later, in November 1916, Rickenbacker took his first ride in an aircraft (flown by Glenn L. Martin, who was just beginning his career in aviation). In 1917, intending to go to Britain to race, Rickenbacker enlisted in the Army instead, beginning his distinguished career as a fighter pilot. After the war, Rickenbacker returned to the automobile business before going into commercial aviation and later inspecting American Air Force bases in the Pacific in WWII. Lightly soiled at blank margins and on cover, tack head-size stain at lower blank margin of signature sheet. 3 file holes at upper blank margin (2 brass fasteners still present). Overall, fine condition.