Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 12

Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

Autographs

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1		Aldrin, Buzz (1930-) American astronaut. In 1969 he took part in the first moon landing, the Apollo 11 mission, and became the second man to set foot on the moon. Typed Letter Signed ("Buzz Aldrin"). One page, quarto, n.p., nd. On "Apollo 11 / Buzz Aldrin / Astronaut" letterhead with a ¼ x ¼" piece of Kapton heat reflecting foil affixed to front. Very Fine. Aldrin's letter outlines the importance of the Kapton foil in protecting the space module and astronauts. The flight of Apollo 11 changed man's perception of his place in the Universe. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 2		Bleriot, Louis (1872-1909) French aviator, he made the first flight over the English Channel (1909) -- the first flight over open water. Signed Photographic Postcard ("L. Bleriot"). 3½ x 5½", France, 1929. Sepia toned portrait signed with black ink in bottom margin. Verso has divided back and "Bleriot-Aéronautique" stamp. Transmittal envelope included. Lovely, strong signature, some faint silvering to photo, minor abrasion to upper left corner. Fine condition. One of the great heroes of early aviation, Berliot designed and flew his own planes. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $299
Lot 3		Carpenter, John (b. 1925). American astronaut, part of the original Mercury Seven team. Beginning after high school, Carpenter's aspirations became clear: he entered a Navy flight program at the University of Colorado, and gained flight training upon becoming a Navy Seal in 1949. While serving during the Korean War, Carpenter was able to add submarine pilot to his resume. Then in 1959, he was selected by NASA to enter the space program and served as John Glenn's backup pilot in preparation for the first manned orbital flight. He became the prime pilot for the MA-7 mission, but unfortunately the troubled Aurora 7 mission suffered from several miscalculations. Document Signed ("Scott Carpenter / Aurora 7"). One page, quarto, n.p., n.d. On "NASA / Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center" letterhead. Being a typescript summary of the May 24, 1962, flight of the Aurora 7 spacecraft. Two ink corrections. Fine. A complete summary of Carpenter's flight, signed by the astronaut himself. Estimated Value $150 - 250. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 4		Earhart, Amelia (1898-1937) 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"). One page, 4¾ x 3¾", n.p., n.d. Black ink on white heavy stock. Some adhesive/paper residue from an album on verso, otherwise very good to fine condition. Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $299
Lot 5		Eckener, Hugo (1868-1964) German aviator, he built and piloted the Graf Zepplin on its 1929 World Flight. Signature ("Dr. Eckener"). One page, 4 x 3½", n.p., n.d. Black ink on cream paper. Very faint toning to left edge does not affect signature, faint ink transfer at top edge only visible on close inspection. Very good condition. Estimated Value $125 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $184
Lot 6		Gemini V Signatures. Two signatures ("Gordon Cooper" and "Charles Conrad, Jr."). One page, quarto, Houston, n.d. On National Aeronautics and Space Administration letterhead. Fine. A brief summary of the Gemini V journey followed by the signatures of the brave astronauts. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 7		Grissom, Virgil "Gus" (1926-1967) One of the original Mercury astronauts, Grissom lost his life when fire flashed through the Apollo I module he was leading through a countdown simulation. Check Signed ("Virgil I Grissom"). Partially printed, accomplished in autograph. San Antonio, November 15, 1954. Drawn on the National Bank of Fort Sam Houston (payable to the same institution) in the amount of $775.57. Punch cancellation does not affect signature, one faint stamp cancellation overlays but in no way obscures "Vir." Very good to fine. After flying 100 missions in Korea, Grissom was stationed at Bryan, Texas, working as a flight instructor and using all of his spare time to hone his own flying skills. Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 8		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 9		Howard Hughes Autograph. Signature ("Howard Hughes"). One page, octavo, n.p., n.d. In blue ink on a blue album page. There is minor toning around the edges of the page, and the far right edge is crookedly trimmed, but the signature is strong and the overall condition is fine. Obviously from a collector's album, this is a strong signature in wonderful condition. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $719
Lot 10		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 11		Howard Hughes Contract with Noah Dietrich. Document Signed ("Howard R. Hughes"). Three pages, quarto, Houston, September 9, 1940. Typescript on onion skin paper. Being a contract between Hughes Tool Company and Howard Hughes employing Hughes to test fly planes for the company. Noah Dietrich signs for Hughes Tool and has penned a guarantee of authenticity (dated June 4, 1973) on verso of third page. Toning at edges; faint foxing on page two; staple holes at top left corners; notary seal and blank affixed to bottom of third page, with adhesive residue visible. Overall, very good condition. This is reportedly the only contract Dietrich ever signed with Howard Hughes, in over 30 years of managing Hughes Tool and Howard Hughes' personal interests. If this is indeed the case, this document is remarkable for its rarity more than its content (which IS very interesting), and is a unique relic of one of the most profitable business relationships of the mid- 20th century, as Dietrich's efforts were largely responsible for the transformation of Hughes from a merely wealthy man to a billionaire. The contract between Hughes Tool and Howard Hughes employs him to act as chief pilot of a specific plane, relieves Hughes of responsibility for damages or liabilities connected with the plane, limits access to the radio equipment on the plane solely to Hughes, and in the event of separation allows for all FCC licenses for the radio equipment to be cancelled. It is hard to not place too much emphasis on the secrecy regarding the radio equipment in the plane, given our hindsight into Hughes' eccentricities and abilities as an inventor…. Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,300
Lot 12		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 13		Howard Hughes Inscription and Autograph. Signature ("Howard Hughes"). One page, octavo, n.p., late 1930s. Inscribed "Best wishes to Bill Brown" in green ink on the first page of Brown's Pilot Log Book. Paper has toned and many other signatures surround, but do not obscure Hughes'. Very good to fine condition. A great Hughes autograph in a wonderful piece of aviation memorabilia. William Brown, pilot and owner of Brown Flying Service of Michigan, collected Hughes' signature and many others in his Pilot Log Book, which includes flights from 1936-1939 (many of them recorded in the same green ink with which Hughes signed). Brown flew all over the midwest, giving instruction and picking up passengers, and must have met Hughes fairly early in the span covered by this logbook, as Hughes signature appears at the top of the title page. Many of the other signatures are students and local folks, but there are a few aviation notables, including Col. Floyd E. Evans and "Sinnie" Sinclair. A unique offering which emphasizes Hughes' connections to, and following in, the aviation world. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $460
Lot 14		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 15		Howard Hughes Signed Flight Cover. Signed Flown Flight Cover ("Howard Hughes"). A fine Hughes signature in black ink appears at the left of the many postmarks and stamps on this cover. Postmarked in New York at 5 P.M. on July 10, 1938, and at 5 P.M. on July 14, to mark the beginning and end of the flight; other postmarks are Paris and Moscow; the special Hughes flight cachets are prominent, as are stamps from France and the Soviet Union, and this piece is in fine condition. A wonderful piece of postal and aviation history with a strong signature. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,750. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,208
Lot 16		Howard Hughes Signed Flight Cover. Signed Flown Flight Cover ("Howard Hughes"). A fine Hughes signature in black ink. Stamps and postmarks identical to the envelope above, also in fine condition. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,750. View details	Realized $863
Lot 17		Howard Hughes Signed Flight Cover. Signed Flown Flight Cover ("Howard Hughes"). A fine Hughes signature in black ink overlaps the Paris postmark, but is not obscured. Otherwise identical to the pieces above, also fine condition. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,750. View details	Realized $863
Lot 18		Howard Hughes Signed Flight Cover. Signed Flown Flight Cover ("Howard Hughes"). A fine Hughes signature in black ink touches the Paris postmark on the "d" and "es". Stamps and postmarks identical to those above, also fine condition. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,750. View details	Realized $920
Lot 19		Howard Hughes Signed Flight Cover. Signed Flown Flight Cover ("Howard Hughes"). A fine Hughes signature in black ink touches the Paris postmark. Stamps and postmarks identical to the covers above, also fine condition. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,750. View details	Realized $863
Lot 20		Howard Hughes Signed Flight Cover. Signed Flown Flight Cover ("Howard Hughes"). A fine Hughes signature in black ink lays partially over the Paris postmark. Stamps and postmarks identical to the above covers. Also fine condition. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,750. View details	Realized $1,035
Lot 21		Howard Hughes Signed Flight Cover. Signed Flown Flight Cover ("Howard Hughes"). A fine Hughes signature in black ink touches the Paris postmark at "s". Stamps and postmarks identical to those above, also fine condition. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,750. View details	Realized $1,121
Lot 22		Hughes and Crew Signatures. Signed Envelope ("Howard Hughes", "Tommy Thurlow", "Dick Stoddard", "Edward Lund", "Harry Connor"). Hughes and the entire crew of his record breaking 1938 flight sign in purple ink on the cover of an air mail envelope postmarked July 21, 1938. There is some toning to the edges, but all of the signatures are strong and this piece is in fine condition. Signed by the entire crew one week after their flight, while at a convention in Newark, New Jersey. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,150
Lot 23		Hughes and Crew Signed Flight Cover. Signed Flown Flight Cover ("Howard Hughes", "Dick Stoddard", "Harry Connor", "Edward Lund"). Lacking only navigator Tommy Thurlow's signature, this flight cover from the 1938 around the world flight has postmarks and stamps identical to the ones above and is in equally fine condition. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,495
Lot 24		[Hughes Flight] Albert Lodwick Signed Flight Cover. Flight Cover Signed ("Albert I Lodwick"). Flown airmail cover, stamps and postmarks similar to those above, except presented on printed six cent envelope with "Howard Hughes / New York City" typed in upper left corner. Addressed "To G.L. Albright / Munitions Bldg. Washington D.C. / With Best Wishes / Albert I. Lodwick". Minor toning, fine condition. Lodwick, often forgotten today because he was not on board the Electra, was invaluable in Howard Hughes' 1938 circumnavigation, serving as Hughes' flight operations manager. Working with navigator Thomas Thurlow, he was responsible for mapping Hughes' route. Lodwick also established contacts with government officials and airport managers to ensure that Hughes would be allowed to land when necessary and arranged for refueling and repairs. Lodwick was a fixture in the pre- and post-flight activities in spite of his current obscurity, making this is a great piece from a neglected figure. Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $150
Lot 25		Hughes' Aviation Achievements, Flight Covers. Lot of four air mail envelopes: one signed by Hughes' around the world flight crew (postmarked in New York the day of their landing) and the other postmarked from Newark, New Jersey on January 19, 1937 -- the day Hughes landed there after setting the Coast to Coast speed record. The signed envelope features the signatures of Tom Thurlow, Edward Lund, Dick Stoddard and Harry Connor. There is minor soil and multiple postmarks on this piece, but the signatures remain strong and the piece is in very good condition. 2). Unsigned flown flight cover from the circumnavigation similar to the lots above. 3). An envelope commemorating another great Hughes achievement, the 7 hour, 28 minute flight across the United States. Also in very good condition. 4). A First Flight Cachet Cover of the Hercules (Spruce Goose). A postmarked airmail envelope commemorates the launch of the Spruce Goose on November 1, 1947. Minor toning, otherwise fine condition. Estimated Value $350 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $357
Lot 26		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 27		Hughes, Howard (1905-1976). American inventor, aviator, movie producer and businessman. Notoriously publicity shy in his later years, Hughes is remembered today more for his eccentricities than his achievements. Signed photograph ("Howard Hughes", "Dick Stoddard", "Harry Connor", "Al Lodwick", "Edward Lund" and "Tommy Thurlow"). Black and white, 8½ x 8½", n.p., n.d. Beautifully matted and framed with photographs of their record-breaking Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra, reception at various airports and a printed summary of the achievement, overall size is 33 x 34". Minor creasing at left corner of photo, one ink spot at bottom right. Not examined out of frame. Very good condition. Hughes' fascination with aviation is legendary and his record-breaking feats astounding by the measure of any era. The fabulous photo offered here is a unique piece of aviation history, as it features the signatures of Hughes and the crew he took on the landmark July 1938 flight that broke the world speed record. Hughes and crew flew 14,791 miles, taking off from New York with stops in Paris, Moscow, Omsk, Yakutsk, Fairbanks and Minneapolis, landing in New York in 3 days, 19 hours and 8 minutes. This is a gorgeous piece and very desirable. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 28		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 29		[Lindbergh, Charles]. One hundred and twenty pieces of Lindberghiana, primarily flight covers from Lindbergh's flight across the Atlantic and various Anniversaries of the event. Covers from Cuba, Italy and various American cities fill the lot (specifics are available on request), all of which are mounted on display pages. Conditions range from very good to excellent. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $748
Lot 30		[Lindbergh, Charles]. Two 3 x 3" unsigned photographs of Lindbergh and two naval officers mounted on a 7½ x 3" card, possibly meant as a stereograph. Adhesive residue across one photograph does not significantly damage photograph. Very good condition. Lindbergh stands in a reception line, with the crowd trailing off behind him, obviously shortly after his return from France. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $173
Lot 31		Post, Wiley. Signature ("Wiley Post / 8-15-33"). Original pencil portrait of Post by Bill Wright (he signs bottom right), 8½ x 11", n.p., n.d. Post signs at bottom left. Toning to edges, inconsequential wrinkles at top edge. Very good. A unique portrait of the aviator/celebrity sans eye patch. Estimated Value $400 - 450. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 32		Wright, Orville (1871-1948) American aviator, co-inventor of the airplane. Younger of the Wright Brothers, the inventors and aviation pioneers who were the first to achieve powered, controlled and sustained flight (in 1903 -- with Orville at the stick) and flew the first practical airplane (in 1905). Following Wilbur Wright's death in 1912, Orville continued to experiment and innovate, serving as one of the foremost aeronautics authorities of the age. Signed Postcard ("Orville Wright"). One page, 6½ x 5½", Dayton, Ohio, 1927. In blue fountain pen. With original transmittal envelope. Very minor soil, two small (>½") tears at bottom edge, some abrasion to corners with one folded. Very good condition. Wright's signature appears on a postcard honoring the first flight at Kitty Hawk, December 17, 1903. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,668
Lot 33		American Aces. Lot of material from three of America's first Ace pilots, including a beautiful Rickenbacher signed photo. 1). Signature ("J.H. Doolittle"). One page, 3½ x 2¼", n.p., n.d. Signature on verso of Doolittle's business card. Fine condition. 2). Signed Photograph ("Capt E. v. Rickenbacher"). Sepia tone reprint, 5 x 7", n.p., 1930. Signature and year inscribed on lighter portion of uniform. Includes letter on Fokker Aircraft stationery from Rickenbacher's secretary. Very slight waviness around edges of picture, otherwise fine. 3). Signature ("George A. Vaughn Jr. / Maj. A.C. N.Y.N.G). One page, large quarto. Signature in center of a piece of New York National Guard letterhead. One horizontal and two vertical folds, minor toning at edges, otherwise very good condition. A very nice lot from three of America's first flying heroes. The Rickenbacher photo, in particular, is outstanding -- a beautiful reprint of a photo of a very young Captain Rickenbacher. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $219
Lot 34		Cosmonaut Vostok Flight Log. A fabulous, historic lot! A small white book (3¼ x 2") with lined pages and red slipcase. Embossed cover reads "USSR Space Ship Flight Log Vostock 1962. Sixty-three signatures from Russian and Eastern European Cosmonauts, scientists, military figures and a few Cosmonauts' families. Tom Stafford signs, as does Gene Cernan, Leonov and Zhukov, among many others. A typewritten page by page list of the signatures (where legible, otherwise indicated) and various inscriptions is included. A wonderful lot for the space enthusiast, many of these signatures are very difficult to find. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 35		Crew of the Enola Gay. Signed Printed Photograph ("Tom Ferebee", "Paul Tibbets", "Dutch VanKirk" and "Dick Nelson"). 8 x 10" sheet with one photograph of "Little Boy" and another of Hiroshima post-bomb. The crew has signed in blue ink and noted their duty underneath their signature. Fine. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $345
Lot 36		International Early Aviation. Lot of four items; two groups of signatures from aviators, one Byrd signature and one Byrd picture postcard. 1). Russian aviators, the first to fly from East to West (Moscow to New York, October 1929) on the airplane Land of the Soviets. Signatures in Cyrillic of S.A. Shestakov, S. Fufaev, Philip E. Bolotov, and Boris Sterligov. One page, 5½ x 8½", Seattle, October 18, 1929. One corner missing, one vertical and four horizontal creases, minor surface soil. Very good condition. 2). Signatures of Charles Kingsford-Smith, J.P. Saul and John S.W. Stannage, part of the crew of the Southern Cross. One page, 6 x 4", n.p., n.d. One vertical fold, one corner chipped and loose. Very good condition. 3). Signature of Richard Byrd ("RE Byrd"). 4 x 2½", n.p, n.d. Accompanied by a picture postcard and a letter from Byrd's camp. Very good condition. An exceptional lot of pioneering aviators from the era that saw the greatest expansion of man's ability to fly long large distance. The international signatures, although the names are less familiar, are particularly of note given their scarcity. Estimated Value $150 - 250. View details	Realized $173