Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 73

The Manuscript, Space & Collectibles Auction

Aerospace

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 197		National air races � letter and photographs, Four items all related to the early days of air racing. 1) Two 1928 Original Panorama B&W Photos. One of the grand stand (45x10") and a similar photo of the "parking lot" (55x10"), each with a hand stamp of "Littler Art Shop, Glendale, CA" on the reverse. Both photos are of the first National Air Races held in Los Angeles. All of the famous barnstorming pilots, including Amelia Earhart, flew to great acclaim. Both are extremely rare and in excellent overall condition. 2) Wolfgang Kleperer Autograph on a 1929 typed letter to the aviation editor at the Cleveland News regarding his participation in the Air Races. He mentions that, if there, he would be very pleased to listen to the talks proposed by Miss Earhart, Mr. Evans and Mr. Fokker. He is famous for having broken Orville Wright�s gliding record in 1921. Scarce. Ex. The Cliff Henderson Estate Collection. 3)1929 NY Evening Post partial page photo showing Anne & Charles Lindberg & Dr. Hugh Eckener. (This photograph has autographs that are likely forgeries but still an interesting item. Ex- Cliff Henderson Estate Collection. 4) Three of Cliff Henderson�s Business cards, an early organizer of National Air races. Ex. the Michael Orenstein Estate Collection. Estimated Value $250 - 300 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $105
Lot 198		"National Officers / National Aeronautical Association of the USA", An unusual 14x10½" gray original advertising display board featuring oval B&W photos of six Natiopnal Officers of the Association. Each photo is outlined in white ink. Included are photos of Hiram Bingham (President), Roscor Vaughn (VP), Valentine Gephart (Secretary), Col. B. F. Castle (Treasurer), Porter Adams (Past President), and Frederick Neely (GM). This piece was created as part of an advertising campaign by Ahlm & Co, Cleveland (Ohio). It includes its original gray paper overlay and is in generally excellent condition with minor edge faults and pin holes at the corners. Ex. The Cliff Henderson Estate Collection and the Michael Orenstein Estate Collection. Estimated Value $100 - 150 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 199		Enola Gay � Autographs of Pilot Paul Tibbets and Navigator Dutch Van Kirk, This lot contains 2 items: first, a photomontage created by Paul Tibbets showing the Enola Gay, billowing clouds of the Atomic blast, the American flag and Captain Tibbets on the morning that "Little Boy",was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Paul Tibbets, pilot autographed boldly adding Aug, 1945. Second, a diecast metal "Enola Gay" autographed by Captain Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk, mission navigator (1/200 scale, measuring 8" wing tip to wing tip). Ex.Pilot Paul Tibbets and Navigator Dutch Van Kirk Collections. Estimated Value $250 - 275 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $98
Lot 200		Aviation, Paul Tibbets autograph, on a "Pilots' Information File" book. It is dated 1943 with updates from July 1944. The cover of the book also notes "RESTRICTED". Given that WWII was in progress information of this type was definitely considered classified by the War Department. The table of contents starts by stating "All AFF pilots in the U.S. will certify they have read and understood all instructions contained in the Pilots' Information File." Topics include: Flying Safety, Air Traffic Rules, Engine Failure, Icing-Wings, Props, etc. A very interesting piece of aviation history. Estimated Value $250 - 350 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $264
Lot 201		First Atomic Bomb Test � "Trinitite" Fragment, A piece of original Trinitite from the world�s first Atomic test is included in this framed presentation along with a photograph of the blast. Provenance: On July 16, 1945 the first atomic bomb was detonated at the Trinity test site in the New Mexico desert. The blast generated a temperature of 10 million degrees Fahrenheit and the intense heat melted the desert sand into a light green glass-like substance which is now known as Trinitite. While it is no longer legal to acquire Trinitite from the original site small amounts collected prior to the restrictions are legal to own. This piece signifies the dramatic end to World War II�s Pacific conflict and the beginning of the age of Atomic energy. Estimated Value $250 - 300 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,680
Lot 202		Photo of Jimmy Doolittle�s B-25 taking off the USS Hornet. Autographed by Richard Cole, Co-pilot, On April 18, 1942 America�s first retaliatory strike against the Empire of Japan was so bold and decisive that it ultimately lead to the turning point in the war. Richard Cole was Jimmy Doolittle�s co-pilot on that fateful mission. Cole enlisted in the Army in 1940. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in July 1941 and asked if he would like to volunteer to be part of a secret mission. This is one of a limited edition display from Century Concept International. A certificate of authenticity is included on the back of the frame. Estimated Value $250 - 300 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 203		Atomic Bomb, 1945, 33.3 RPM Master Record Interview, with Captain Kermit Beahan, Bombardier of Bockscar, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki on 6 August 1945, thus helping to end WW II. This 16" aluminum disc with one-sided vinyl impression recording is one of the first interviews Capt. Beahan recorded after the flight. The label on the recording reads: "KPRC / Houston Texas / Steve Wilhelm with Capt. Kermit Beahan / Sept. 26, 1945". Some vinyl edge faults, but a piece of history. The recording is purported to tell of his experiences and impressions during the flight. About 15 years ago the record was played and the audio was clear. An important first-person view on one of the most important events of the 20th century. Estimated Value $750 - 1,000 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 204		"Memphis Belle" B-17 Autographed by Robert Morgan, Pilot, The "Memphis Belle" piloted by Captain Bob Morgan was an "F" model B-17 series and became one of the most famous heavy bombers and crews in the European theatre. Made famous by the 1990 movie of the same name the Memphis Belle would take her crew through the most extreme peril and bring them home again without major injury. While at the same time suffering what should have been fatal battle damage on countless occasions. This included engines shot out on 5 separate occasions as well as making it back from one mission with the tail nearly shot off. The Belle was one of the first heavy bombers to complete 25 missions with her crew intact. The aircraft and crew then returned to the United States to sell war bonds. The model scale is 1/54A and comes with an attractive display base. A descriptive page / COA is included. (A small chip on the tail does not detract.). Estimated Value $100 - 150 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $288
Lot 205		X-1 Rocket plane model signed by Chuck Yeager, Chuck Yeager, piloting the X1 recorded supersonic flight, at Mach 1.06 (700 mph). This model is true to the aircraft Yeager flew including its name of Glamorous Glennis. Yeager christened the X1 after his wife. The model scale is 1/32 and comes with an attractive display base and a page providing extensive details on the X-1, its development and its historic flight. (This model has some damage to the wing tips however it is still an interesting and outstanding display piece.). Estimated Value $100 - 150 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $282
Lot 206		Joe Kittinger World Record Free Fall � Commemorative Autographed Cover, On August 16, 1960 Joe Kittinger set the world record for "The High Altitude Parachute Jump" from 102,800 feet. His free fall lasted "4 minutes and 36 seconds" until deploying his parachute at 17,500 feet. His high altitude record held for 52 years until this past year when Kittinger was part of the support team for Filix Baumgartner when he set a new high altitude parachute record jumping from 128,100 feet however… Joe Kittinger still holds the FREE FALL record! This envelope comes with a descriptive card inside and is numbered 215 of 500. It is post marked August 16, 1980, the 20th Anniversary of his historic leap. Seldom seen. Estimated Value $250 - 300 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 207		Pop Artist Robert Dowd "Original Pencil "Stamp" Art � 1967 (8 �x7 ½") This original green /black pencil perforated "stamp" painting depicts the 1923 Wooden Propeller and Engine Nose air mail stamp issued by the U.S. Government. Dowd was an original member of the Pop Art movement along with Rov Liechtenstein, Any Warhol, Wayne Thiebaud, etc. One of the first "Pop" art paintings series he made of U.S. Aviation stamps was primarily made during the 1960 period while he lived in San Francisco. In 1961, when he moved to Los Angeles, he began his currency painting period which eventually led him to attract the attention of the FBI and J Edgar Hoover. Not needing the added problems of dealing with the FBI to those of a struggling artist, he switched back to painting stamps. He went on to have a long and varied career, passing away in 1996 in LA. His paintings are seldom available on the art market though Goldberg�s was fortunate to sell one last December in sale 71. This piece, typical of his stamp art, is pencil signed at the lower right but unlike others is also signed on the back. His art can be found in many museums across the country. Rare and highly desirable. Ex. the Michael Orenstein Estate Collection. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $528
Lot 208		1924�First Around-the-World Flight � Co-Pilot's Commemorative Ring., One of the most sensational aviation events of the 1920�s was the around-the-world-flight by a team of U.S. Army Air Service Aviators. Lindbergh had not yet made his historic flight from New York to Paris when in 1924 four Douglas World Cruisers with 8 crewmen set out from Seattle, WA to attempt the first around-the-world airplane flight. 175 days later 3 of the aircraft and crews became the first to circumnavigate earth! It was not an easy accomplishment. Bad weather, engine problems and the distance all took their toll. Two planes crashed though one was replaced. On 9/28/24 three planes touched down in Seattle completing a 26,000 mile journey. The first was flag ship, Chicago followed by New Orleans, and Boston. The Seattle crashed and never completed the journey. Lt. Leslie P. Arnold was a back-up pilot for this audacious adventure and just several days prior to the flight replaced another crew member as co-pilot and mechanic of the "Chicago". Given the length of the journey and the pressures put on the aircraft Lt. Arnold was kept busy not only piloting when necessary but keeping the aircraft flight ready. To provide just a glimpse…30 replacement engines were placed around the world to serve if necessary. Upon completion of the historic event each of the flight crews were presented with a Commemorative Ring. The ring is 14 karat gold with white gold overlays and a silver mount for the semiprecious stone (The stone is cracked and will require restoration). The design includes U.S. Army Air Service Wings on the left side, American Bald Eagle on the right. The embossed text reads "FIRST ROUND THE WORLD FLIGHT 1924". Of note, The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum owns the same ring presented to the Chicago�s pilot, Lt. Lowell Smith. (Unfortunately that ring is missing its stone.) The ring weighs 36.2 grams with an estimated ring size of 9½. There is an extensive engraving, "Presented to L.P. Arnold participant in the first round the world flight by the citizens of Seattle through their Chamber of Commerce. Started Seattle April 6th Completed Seattle. Accompany the ring are a very nice section of items relating to the flight. Included are books (Inc. The First World Flight by Lowell Thomas � 2x), Photographs, early magazine editions (and some reprints), videos, commemorative medallions (2 bronze and 1 silver) and a framed piece of fabric from the Chicago Douglas World Cruiser on display in the Smithsonian. (Unfortunately the frame is slightly chipped and the fabric is no longer affixed to the certificate.) Also included is what appears to be a flight panel 24 hour clock (in working condition). Perhaps this too if from a Douglas World Cruiser. An outstanding ring complete with a trove of documents that provides the story behind the first circumnavigation of the globe. Unique and very historic. Estimated Value $3,500 - 5,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,800