Sell or Auction Your Charles Lindbergh Autograph & Memorabilia
To auction, sell or consign your Charles Lindbergh autograph and memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
Here’s Some Charles Lindbergh Memorabilia We’ve Sold:
Scarce Plane Piece From Charles Lindbergh’s Plane, ”Spirit of St. Louis”
Plane piece from ”The Spirit of St. Louis”, piloted by Charles Lindbergh in the historic first solo non-stop transatlantic flight in 1927 from New York to Paris. Piece is a Valve Spring Washer, taken from the Wright J-5 Whirlwind Radial Engine in the plane, here presented by Wright Aviation Engine Company, a short-lived aeronautics venture which owned the ”Bellanca” plane that flew from New York to Germany two weeks after Lindbergh’s flight. The ”Bellanca” was actually Lindbergh’s first choice of plane, but the Wright company wouldn’t allow him to fly it without a navigator, so Lindbergh settled on the ”Spirit”. Washer is displayed in a wood plaque measuring approximately 9” x 9.25”, with metal plaque reading in part, ”Valve Spring Washer from Wright Engine Flown by Col. Charles Lindberg [sic] From New York to Paris / May 1927”. Rusting to washer, and some wear to presentation, overall in good condition. Scarce. Sold for $15,000.
Charles Lindbergh Signed Piece of Fabric From the Spirit of St. Louis — Very Scarce Given by Lindbergh to Select Individuals on Christmas, 1928.
Exceptionally rare piece of fabric from the Spirit of St. Louis, signed by the aircraft’s chaperone to Paris, Charles Lindbergh. Upon the 3.25″ x 2.75″ piece of fabric, Lindbergh writes “Original fabric from the Spirit of St. Louis. Sincerely, Charles A. Lindbergh / Dec. 25, 1928”. This piece of silver, stiffened fabric was treated at the time of its manufacture, and therefore likely taken from the fuselage area of the plane. Especially made by Ryan Airlines in 1926 for Charles Lindbergh’s transatlantic flight, the Spirit of St. Louis was a highly experimental aircraft in its time, with its single-engine design, which Lindbergh believed would optimize his chance of success. As tradeoffs, however, the engine tank was situated at the front to improve the center of gravity (denying Lindbergh a front windshield) and the fuel capacity of the plane was dangerously low. Lindbergh, in fact, was so concerned with losing fuel from the weight of the plane that he trimmed excess paper from his maps. This piece of fabric from the spectacular and revolutionary aircraft was removed after Lindbergh flew The Spirit on its final flight from St. Louis to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., in April 1928, where it still resides. There, at the Smithsonian, it was renovated and this piece of the plane’s fabric was saved and, on Christmas, 1928 signed and given to only a select few individuals close to the courageous aviator. Very good. Sold for $14,035.
Charles Lindbergh autograph letter signed, dated 22 November 1927, only six months after his historic transatlantic flight, to Richard Blythe and Harry Bruno. Bruno and Blythe handled public relations for Lindbergh’s New York to Paris flight on 20-21 May 1927. Handwritten three page letter reads in full, ”…Now that my affairs have quieted down somewhat, and I have a little more time to devote to writing, I want to thank you both, once again, for the assistance you gave me both in the preparation of my flight to Paris and after my return to New York. The efficient manner in which you handled things during this period is something which I deeply appreciate. I have watched with interest your publicity work in relation to the aeronautical industry. Conservative, straightforward, publicity will aid greatly in its progress in addition to acquainting the public with actual facts relative to aeronautics…” Each 8” x 10.25” page is affixed to a backing board measuring 8.5” x 11.25”. Minor toning along the edges, else near fine. Sold for $3,175.
Excellent & Large Charles Lindbergh Signed 11” x 14” Photo
Charles Lindbergh signed sepia-toned photo, dated 19 November 1930 with the border inscribed by the feted aviator: ”To Gilbert G. Budwig, Sincerely, Charles A. Lindbergh, 11/19/30”. Matte photo measures 11” x 14”. A faint imprint of another signature by Lindbergh is present between the lines of the inscription, likely a showthrough from an item signed atop this one. Overall in very good to near fine condition. Sold for $2,218.
Charles Lindbergh 9” x 8” Signed Photo — Attractive Photo of the Aviator in His Plane
Exceptional Charles Lindbergh signed photograph, circa 1930’s, depicting the aviator in a one-man plane. Signed and inscribed in black ink: ”To Mr. Cheney / Sincerely / Charles A. Lindbergh”. Photo measures approximately 9” x 8” with ”Underwood” photo studio copyright at lower right. Left and right margins trimmed, else near fine condition. Sold for $1,563.
Charles Lindbergh Signed Program — From 1927 National ”Lindbergh Tour”
Charles Lindbergh signed program for a banquet in his honor in Jacksonville, Florida, dated 10 October 1927. Lindbergh, who completed his historic New York to Paris flight in May of that year, signs, ”C.A. Lindbergh” next to his image on the cover of the program. The cover also features a line drawing of his plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, and the word, ”We,” referring to his book about his transatlantic flight. Upon his return to the U.S., Lindbergh embarked on a three-month tour around the country, flying the Spirit of St. Louis from city to city. Jacksonville was one of the last stops before the tour ended in October. Lot includes three matte photos of Lindbergh and his plane; two are 5.5” x 7.5”, the other 7” x 9.25”. The eight-page program, bound with red, white and blue cord, measures 8.5” x 11”. Slight soiling to cover, else fine condition. Sold for $1,343.
Charles Lindbergh Application for His ”Airman Medical Certificate”
Charles Lindbergh carbon copy of his application for his Airman Medical Certificate. Most interestingly, under ”Total Pilot Time / To Date,” Lindbergh has written ”7000” (Civil) and ”1000” (Military) and, ”17” (Civil – in Last 6 months). Carbon copy of the application filed by Lindbergh at the Federal Aviation Administration. Here, he fills out various personal information in his hand, including his full name, ”Lindbergh Charles Augustus”, his Darien, Connecticut address, Social Security No., Date of Birth ”2/4/02” Other information filled out by Lindbergh include Height in inches ”74”, Weight in pounds ”185” Color of Hair ”Gray”, Color of Eyes, ”Blue” Occupation, ”Consultant”, Employer, ”Self”, and Length of Time in Present Occupation, ”43 Years”. On verso, filled out in pencil (not a carbon), is his ”Report of Medical Examination.” It is not signed by the Aviation Medical Examiner and was undoubtedly copied by a medical assistant from the actual application filed with the FAA. Includes: ”Hearing Right Ear 20/20 ft. Left Ear 20/30 ft…Distant Vision Right Eye 20/30 corrected to 20/20, Left Eye 20/200 corrected to 20/20, Both Eyes 20/30 corrected to 20/20.” Near Vision has been corrected to right eye 20/20, left eye 20/20, both eyes 20/30. Sold for $1,250.
Charles Lindbergh Signed Portrait — Circa Late 1920’s
Charles Lindbergh signed portrait on a 1920’s event program. Lindbergh became a worldwide celebrity after flying solo non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. This two-sided program, from a Buffalo, New York event honoring Lindbergh, features a portrait of the aviator on one side, next to which he signs in black ink, ”C. A. Lindbergh”. Measures 6.75” x 9.5”. Near fine. Sold for $954.
Charles Lindbergh signed program, for a dinner held in his honor on 14 September 1927. Lindbergh elegantly signs ”C.A. Lindbergh” to the cover, underneath an illustration of an eagle attached to a plane. Four page program also features the events of the ceremonies, a small black and white portrait of Lindbergh and a dinner menu. Measures 5” x 8”. Near fine. Sold for $938.
Presidential menu from a dinner held at the White House in 1968, with verso signed by ten guests including ”Alan Shepard” and ”Charles A. Lindbergh”. The other signatures are by Betty Grissom, wife of astronaut Gus Grissom; Abigail Van Buren of Dear Abby fame; Pat McDivitt, wife of astronaut James McDivitt; Joy Debas, wife of a prominent scientist; and Air Force One pilot Stark Draper. Menu features a gilt presidential seal at top center and all edges gilt. Measures 4.25” x 6.5”. Scattered minor ink marks to menu, else fine. From the collection of Gus Grissom’s son. Sold for $938.
Charles Lindbergh Signed First Edition of ”We”
Charles Lindbergh signed first edition of ”We”, published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons: New York: 1927. Frontis photo page is signed, ”Charles A. Lindbergh” in dark blue ink. The lauded aviator’s account of his groundbreaking transatlantic flight and personal background is photo-illustrated and runs 320pp. Bound in cobalt blue cloth boards with gilt lettering and airplane design. Endpapers feature an airplane pattern. Measures 5.5” x 8.25”. Toning to leaves and edges, wear to board corners and edges and detached signed leaf, else near fine. Sold for $938.
Charles Lindbergh 1953 Signed Copy of ”The Spirit of St. Louis”
Charles Lindbergh signed copy of ”The Spirit of St. Louis”. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1953. First edition, later printing. The extraordinary aviator inscribes the title page to WWI General Levin Campbell, Jr.: ”To Levin H. Campbell, Jr. / With appreciation and best wishes, Charles A. Lindbergh”. Lindbergh won the Pulitzer Prize for this account of his successful attempt of the New York – Paris flight that had claimed the lives of six pilots before him. Runs 562pp. Bound in blue cloth boards with silver lettering, book measures 5.75” x 8.5”. Dust jacket is lightly chipped, overall in very good condition with $5.00 price intact. Book is very nicely preserved, in very good plus condition with light shelf wear. Interior and signature page are near fine. Sold for $750.
Charles Lindbergh 8” x 11” Signed Photo
Sensitive signed portrait of aviator superstar Charles Lindbergh as a young man. 8” x 11” matte photo is signed by him in black fountain pen, ”Charles A. Lindbergh”. Photo is mounted to cardstock. Light spotting, discoloration along edge, discreet scratch on chin and unevenly trimmed border, none of which overpower the image. Overall a compelling photograph in very good condition, boldly signed by Lindbergh. Sold for $750.
Charles Lindbergh Signed Postcard Featuring His Plane ”Spirit Of St. Louis”
Charles Lindbergh signed postcard featuring an attractive photo of him above his plane, the ”Spirit Of St. Louis” that he flew solo from New York to Paris in 1927. Signed ”Charles A. Lindbergh” in green ink below the printed name. Card measures 5.5” x 3.5”. Near fine. Sold for $726.
To auction, sell or consign your Charles Lindbergh autograph and memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
FAQs
How do I consign or sell my Charles Lindbergh autograph or memorabilia?
It’s never been easier to sell your Charles Lindbergh items at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and photos of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with a free appraisal.
This sounds great and I’d like to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement to review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days following the auction.
What factors determine the value of Charles Lindbergh memorabilia?
The value of your item can vary based on condition, subject matter and provenance.