Lot 333
Earhart, Amelia (1897- ? disappeared 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"). Signed envelope, 6¾ x 4¾", Midland, Texas, August 22, 1929. Being an envelope signed by Earhart and fifteen other female aviators and numerous male pilots.There is a minor smudge over "arhart", but the signature is still strong. Age toning, minor soil and cancelled stamps on the recto and verso.
On the verso, a handwritten notation appears, "These pilots' signatures are genuine and signed personally by woman pilots in the Woman's Derby Race at Midland, Texas from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. August 22, 1929, Paul T. Vickers, Secretary, Midland Chamber of Commerce." The National Women's Air Derby, which included this stop in Midland, began on August 8 in Santa Monica with an ultimate destination of Cleveland. Twenty women pilots from as far away as Australia and Germany flew in Derby and, in addition to Earhart, the signatures offered here include some of the pioneers of aviation: Theo Rasche, Ruth Elder, Ruth Nichols, Louise Thaden (the Derby winner), Vera Dawn Walker, Phoebe Fairgrave Omile, Jimmy Doolittle and many others. With pilots flying for several hours at a time, stopping for refueling and breaks for sleep, the race lasted eight days. The courage of the women in the Derby in the face of a true physical challenge, male resistance, public outcry and acts of sabotage to more than one plane (one of the pilots, Marvel Crosson, died when her engine failed for unknown reasons) is remarkable for any era, but particularly in an age when a leading newspaper opposed to the Derby could print "Women have been dependent on man for guidance for so long that when they are put on their own resources they are handicapped." The race committee's reply, "We wish to officially thumb our noses at the press," surely reflected the attitude of these gutsy pilots. The item offered here is not only a wonderful Earhart signature, but also a monument to the achievements of America's early female pilots.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500.
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| Realized $1,783 |
