Sell or Auction Your Wiley Post Signed Photo for up to Nearly $1,000 or More at Nate D. Sanders Auctions
FREE VALUATION. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Wiley Post signed photo that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
Sell Your Wiley Post Signed Photo
Wiley Hardeman Post (November 22, 1898 – August 15, 1935) was a famed American aviator during the interwar period and the first pilot to fly solo around the world. Also known for his work in high-altitude flying, Post helped develop one of the first pressure suits and discovered the jet stream. On August 15, 1935, Post and American humorist Will Rogers were killed when Post’s aircraft crashed on takeoff from a lagoon near Point Barrow in the Territory of Alaska.
Below is a recent realized price for a Wiley Post signed photo. We at Nate D. Sanders Auctions can obtain up to this amount or more for you:
Wiley Post Signed Photo. Sold for nearly $1,000.
Here are some similar items we have sold in the past:
Signed photo by Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, President Taft and a handful of others during the Wrights’ visit to the White House on 10 June 1909 to receive medals from the Aero Club of America. At this time, the Wright Brothers and their sister Katharine were among the most sought after celebrities in the world, having just completed very successful exhibition flights in Europe and the United States, as required by the U.S. Army with whom they signed a contract to build a ”flying machine”. Until this time, skeptics were reluctant to believe that the Wright Brothers were able to successfully pilot an airplane, but the Wrights’ fluency in the air caused doubters to not only reverse their criticism, but issue public apologies and lavish praise upon the aviators. At the end of 1908, their influence was so widespread that they even changed women’s fashion, with the hobble skirt (narrowed at the ankles so as not to flare up during flight) becoming mainstream shortly after the flights. Silver gelatin 9.25” x 7” matte photograph is by Harris & Ewing, mounted to a visible size of 11.75” x 8.5” upon which the individuals sign their names: ”Wilbur Wright”, ”Orville Wright”, ”Wm H Taft”, ”Katharine Wright”, aviator ”A. Holland Forbes”, aviator ”Alan R. Hawley”, automotive pioneer ”Chas Jerome Edwards”, Assistant Secretary of War ”Robert Shaw Oliver” and three others. Matted to a size of 16.25” x 14.25”. Some paper loss to left side of mat, closed tear to right side, and crack starting along bottom. Light sheen has been applied to mount, likely from previous restoration to repair cracks. Some dampstainig to lower edge. Overall in good condition with very bold and clear signatures. Sold for $15,000.
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.
Very historic and important U.S. Patent Office document signed by Orville Wright on 25 October 1916, releasing five patents including the notorious #821,393. Originally approved as a patent in May 1906, #821,393 allowed the Wright Brothers to dominate the U.S. and world aviation industry for ten years, as this patent was the only one allowing humans to control movement of an aircraft in flight. It allowed for the control of the important 3 axes of flight: the airplane’s pitch, roll and yaw; without such control, an airplane could not safely be flown. The Wright Brothers so focused on controlling the use of this patent, in fact, that they failed to technologically innovate in other ways, allowing for Europe to surpass the U.S. in aviation prowess just before the outbreak of World War I. The expensive royalties to license the technology protected by this patent also stunted the production of American aircraft before WWI, causing the federal government in 1917 under President Wilson to step in and force plane manufacturers to share patents so that America could ready itself for WWI. This action by the federal government effectively ended the decade long ”patent war” surrounding #821,393. Lot includes the document dated 25 October 1916, signed by Orville Wright and his brother Lorin Wright (Wilbur had died in 1912), releasing the five patents, since payment had been completed on them. A group of New York investors led by William Boyce Thompson had bought the patents, not knowing that they’d be stymied from collecting royalties on them come 1917. Document reads in part, ”I, ORVILLE WRIGHT, of the City of Dayton, State of Ohio, do hereby certify that a certain mortgage…made and executed by The Wright Company…covering the following described United States letters patent: No. 821,393, dated May 22nd, 1906, for improvements in flying machines…is paid. And I do hereby consent that the same be discharged of record…” Attached to the document is a notarized slip from Montgomery County, Ohio, and also a U.S. Patent Office slip with seal, dated 28 October 1916, confirming the patent transfer. Single page document measures 8.5” x 14”. Half inch tear to right edge, folds, pinholes at top left and some chipping to edges of blue paper, to which document is attached. Overall in very good plus condition, with a large and prominent signature by Orville Wright, perfect for display. An extremely rare document in early 20th century aviation history, and one of the few important Wright Brothers documents in private hands. 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.
Exceptional Orville Wright typed letter signed, dated 24 March 1928 on his personal stationery. Addressed to Senator Hiram Bingham, Wright defends his and Wilbur’s reputation as inventors of the ”first flying machine” and attacks the Smithsonian for trying to discredit them. Page one of the letter reads: ”The important point at issue is as to who was the inventor of the first successful flying machine. The Smithsonian for the past seventeen years has kept up a constant propaganda to take the credit for this away from my brother and myself. It has done this partly through some actually false statements and partly through statements so cunningly worded as to give a false impression without actually being false in themselves. This last resolution is a fair sample. It certainly can not be considered ingenuous….Such practice as this is beneath the dignity of a scientific institution, such as the Smithsonian purports to be, and such conduct on the part of an institution administering government bureaus with government funds certainly needs investigation by the Government…” Wright then ends his letter on page 2 by writing: ”A good many people do not seem to grasp the difference between the first man-carrying flying machine and the first man-carrying machine to fly. There may be a big difference. Our pride was in producing the first man-carrying flying machine rather than in producing the first man flight. Wilbur and I did not take nearly so much pride in the fact that we were the first to fly as we did in the fact that we were the first to have the scientific data from which a flying machine could be built…I believe there was no one else in the world at that time beside Wilbur and myself that had the scientific data for building a machine that would fly.” Wright’s letter runs 2pp. on 2 separate sheets, signed ”Orville Wright” in striking black ink. Included is a 2pp. joint resolution spanning 20 lines on card-style paper. Dated 29 February 1928, the resolution reads: ”the President of the United States be, and is hereby, authorized and directed to appoint a commission of five distinguished citizens of the United States to whom Orville Wright, and all other persons in any way interested, shall be publicly invited to present evidence as to which was the first successful heavier-than-air flying machine.” Letter pages measures 7.25” x 10.5”. Resolution measures 15” x 11”. Folds in letter pages, small pencil note on first page and staple holes, otherwise near fine condition. Sold for $12,963.
Fabric Swatch From the First Airplane, the Wright Flyer
Fabric from the first airplane, the Wright Flyer, which made its debut flight at Kitty Hawk on 17 December 1903. Fabric measures 1.5” square, affixed to a certificate signed by Lester D. Gardner, Editor of Aviation and Aeronautical Engineering, and close friend of Orville Wright. Certificate to Gordon P. Olley, a World War I flying ace, reads in part, ”…Orville Wright…had preserved some of the original coverings of the wing and [his executors] entrusted several pieces of this most valuable relic to me for distribution to notable aeronautical friends. I certify that this piece was used in the first successful flight in history by Orville Wright on December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, N.C. [signed] Lester D. Gardner”. Certificate measures 8” x 10”, handsomely framed in gold and black to 12.25” x 15.25”. Uniform toning to certificate, else near fine condition. Sold for $12,500.
Amelia Earhart Signed Limited Edition of “20 Hrs. 40 Mins.” — One of Only 150 Limited Edition Copies Signed by Earhart, With a U.S. Flag Carried Aboard Her 1928 Transatlantic Flight
Scarce copy of “20 Hrs. 40 Mins.”, one of only 150 signed by Amelia Earhart in the limited edition. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1928. Signed by Earthart on the limitation page, “Amelia M. Earhart”, where the copy is designated as #62 in the limited edition of 150. Volume is full of photographs documenting Earhart’s groundbreaking transatlantic flight in 1928, and contains one of the U.S. flags carried aboard her aircraft “Friendship”, affixed to the front pastedown. Flag is described on the limitation page as “one of the small silk flags which Miss Earhart carried in the ‘Friendship’ from Boston to Wales”. Book runs 374pp. and measures 6.5″ x 10″; flag measures 3″ x 2.25″. A pristine, near fine copy bound in publishers maroon and gilt boards, with deckled edges and photogravure portrait of Earhart. Housed in original glassine jacket, which has several tears but served its purpose by protecting the book. Sold for $11,250.
Orville Wright Signed “First Flight” Photo — Large Uninscribed Photo Measures 7″ x 4.875″ on Custom Period Mat Measuring 11″ x 9″
Gorgeous silver gelatin photograph with an uninscribed signature by Orville Wright in fountain pen at lower left on the photographic border, “Orville Wright”, showing the Wright Flyer in motion, capturing man’s first sustained flight on 17 December 1903. Orville Wright is shown flying the plane, with his brother Wilbur alongside, having just released his hand from the plane to steady it upon take-off, the entire event captured for both evidence and posterity by photographer John T. Daniels.
Half-matte photo is near fine, mounted to its original custom mat, which reads, “December 17, 1903 First Aeroplane Flight Kitty Hawk, N.C.” Large photograph measures 7″ x 4.875″, with mat measuring 11″ x 9″. Mild stain to lower left edge of mat, otherwise near fine condition. Sold for $11,025.
Scarce copy of ”20 Hrs. 40 Mins.”, one of only 150 signed by Amelia Earhart in the limited edition. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1928. Signed by Earthart on the limitation page, ”Amelia M. Earhart”, where the copy is designated as #67 in the limited edition of 150. Volume is full of photographs documenting Earhart’s groundbreaking transatlantic flight in 1928, and contains one of the U.S. flags carried aboard her aircraft ”Friendship”, affixed to the front pastedown. Flag is described on the limitation page as ”one of the small silk flags which Miss Earhart carried in the ‘Friendship’ from Boston to Wales”. Copy also has excellent association, previously belonging to the pilot Janet Dietrich (with two of her business cards included), one of the women of Mercury 13, a privately funded program that trained 13 women according to the same physiological screening standards as the Mercury 7 astronauts. Book is bound in publishers maroon and gilt boards, with deckled edges. Runs 374pp. and measures 6.5” x 10”; flag measures 3” x 2.25”. Light shelf wear, otherwise an exceptional near fine copy. Sold for $10,938.
Incredible collection of aviation documents, letters, telegrams, photos and patents owned by aircraft manufacturer Grover Loening, one of the first aeronautical engineers, and the second manager of the Wright Company. Archive includes a letter signed by Orville Wright concerning the famous dispute between him and the Smithsonian, as well as a letter signed by John F. Kennedy as Senator. Numerous photos of the earliest days of flight with the Wright family are also included, as is Loening’s signed Pilot’s License (he was taught to fly by Orville Wright), and copies of early patents filed by the Wright Company, along with dozens of documents from Loening’s storied career.
Approximately 30 pages of letters and telegrams, some retained copies, are included in this section of the archive concerning the Smithsonian controversy and the Langley airplane. In addition to the Wright signed letter, archive also includes a telegram from Wright, a letter signed by Loening stating Orville Wright’s specific requirements for the Wright Flyer to be displayed at the Smithsonian, a letter signed by Walcott, and other very detailed correspondence regarding the dispute. Interestingly, included in the collection is a large display document, ostensibly from the Smithsonian, wording the label as Wright demanded, although the Wright Flyer wasn’t donated to the Smithsonian until 1948 with the debate continuing until then.
Archive also includes a letter signed ”Jack” by John F. Kennedy, dated 6 November 1953 on Kennedy’s U.S. Senate letterhead. Kennedy writes in part, ”I am taking the liberty of sending you a copy of my speech to the American Legion at Indianapolis [included], which will give you more detail what I was driving at. Your argument about the Army and Navy is a good one, but the point of this age it seems to me is the strategic air force and that the airpower of the Army and Navy is more of a secondary weapon and might not come into play until after the first few days of the war…[signed] Jack”.
Lot also includes a letter likely autopen signed by Richard Nixon as President on White House stationery, dated 5 November 1969, in which Nixon accepts Loening’s resignation as a Member of the Board of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
Loening’s signed Pilot’s License is also included, dated 30 June 1935, accompanied by a letter from the Department of Air Commerce stating that Loening’s aeronautical experience compensates for his ”physical defect” of poor eyesight. Other items include many vintage photos of Loening as a young man with the Wright family and planes in flight. Numerous early aviation patents are included, several from the Wright Co., as well as dozens of documents related to Loening’s long and impressive aeronautical career. Most items are in very good condition. An outstanding collection. With University Archives COA for the John F. Kennedy letter signed. Sold for $8,250.
Amelia Earhart Signed Limited Edition of 20 Hrs. 40 Min.
Sold for $7,875.
Fascinating letter signed by Orville Wright, defending the Wright brothers’ legacy as the inventors of human flight. Dated 28 February 1928 on his personal letterhead, Orville Wright here writes to Senator Hiram Bingham III, a pilot who wanted to construct a memorial for the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk. Wright objects to the Kitty Hawk location, believing instead that he needs to reach ”the university man; the man who writes history”, rather than the ”tourist”, since the Smithsonian Institution was, according to Wright, waging a campaign of disinformation at the time. The Smithsonian had previously been headed by Samuel Langley, an aviation pioneer who fancied himself the inventor of human flight with his ”Langley Aerodrome”, and Orville Wright believed that the Smithsonian was using its influence to further Langley’s reputation at the expense of the Wright brothers. Two page letter on two sheets measures 7.25” x 10.5”. Folds, else near fine condition. Sold for $7,500.
Orville Wright Signed Postcard of the Famous Flight at Kitty Hawk
Postcard signed ”Orville Wright” on the lower left. Postcard bears the iconic image of the first flight on 17 December 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. With Orville Wright’s original mailing envelope postmarked from Dayton, Ohio on 14 March 1930. Postcard measures 6.25” x 4.5”. Toning, small tear to bottom edge, abrasion to top edge and adhesive remnants to verso. Overall very good plus condition, with a very strong signature by Orville Wright. Sold for $3,781.
Orville Wright photo card hand-signed, ”Orville Wright”. Signature appears below the famous biplane as it makes its historic first flight with Orville on-board and Wilbur running beside on the ground. Image is captioned, ”First Man-Flight, December 17, 1903 / Kitty Hawk, N.C.” Paper card measures 6.25” x 4.25”. Minor toning, else fine condition. Sold for $3,750.
Amelia Earhart 8″ x 10″ Signed Photo
”Amelia Earhart” signed photo of herself, striking a statuesque pose before an airplane. The record-breaking aviator dons pilot coveralls and signs in bold black ink. Glossy photo measures 8” x 10”. Some creasing and pinholes to corners with a chipped lower right corner. Adhesive and paper residue to verso. Very good condition with a perfect Amelia Earhart autograph. Sold for $3,355.
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.
Superb Orville Wright First Manned Flight Signed Photo
Orville Wright signed 6.25” x 4.75” photograph captioned ”First Man-Flight, December 17, 1903, Kitty Hawk, N.C.” Photo comes with the original envelope in which it was sent to Ruth Johnson on 12 August 1930 written by Orville Wright’s secretary, Mabel Beck. The return address is ”Orville Wright Dayton, Ohio”, with a cancellation from ”Dayton on Aug. 12, 1930”. Envelope has some tears at edges, and photo has tears to the margin at edges plus a small bend at top left corner. Sold for $3,125.
Orville Wright photo card hand-signed in black ink, ”Orville Wright”. Signature appears below the famous biplane as it makes its historic first flight with Orville on-board and Wilbur running beside on the ground. Image is captioned, ”First Man-Flight, December 17, 1903 / Kitty Hawk, N.C.” Orville’s name has been printed at the bottom right corner and verso is inscribed in pencil, ”Received February 25, 1930 / From Orville Wright / 15 North Broadway / Dayton Ohio”. Paper card measures 6.25” x 4.5”. Surface loss to lower left corner, creasing and a bit of tape to verso. Very good condition. With PSA/DNA COA. Sold for $2,772.
Orville Wright Signed Photo of the Famous Flight at Kitty Hawk
Photo postcard signed ”Orville Wright” at lower left, showing the iconic image of the first flight on 17 December 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Measures 6.25” x 4.5”. Closed tear measuring 1/2 inch to top border, minor creasing and wear, overall in very good condition, with a nice signature by Orville. Sold for $2,500.
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.
Piece of silver fabric taken from the exterior of Charles Lindbergh’s ”The Spirit of St. Louis”, the first plane to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. The legendary plane featured a fabric covering to both the wings and fuselage. Fabric is housed in small plastic pouch affixed to an LOA from Charles Hamilton typed on stationery from ”The International Cyclopedia of Aviation Biography”. The LOA states that the fabric was given by Lindbergh to W.L. Hamberger, the publisher of the Cyclopedia. Jagged silver fabric measures 1” across; letter measures 8.5” x 11”. Near fine. Sold for $1,875.
Guestbook from the National Aeronautic Association’s 1930 conference signed by 27 aviation pioneers. The NAA was founded in 1905 and remains an active organization, keeping aeronautical records and supporting air sports. Signatures comprise: Amelia Earhart, woman stunt pilot Elinor Smith, Admiral Wiliam Harrison Standley, airship commander Hugo Eckener, admiral John Henry Towers, explorer Hiram Bingham III, William P. MacCracken Jr., Jerome Clarke Hunsaker, Noble Johnson, travel lecturer Burton Holmes, Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, C de F Chandler, U.S. Navy aviation advocate William A. Moffett, J.H. Doolittle, R.W. ”Shorty” Schroeder, Congressman Clarence Lea, George W. Lewis, who served as Director of Aeronautical Research at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, Luke Christopher, Geoffrey L. Cabot and B.D. Foulois, who flew with the Wright Brothers. Signatures appear on the first three sheets (including front free endpaper) of a handsome brown leather bound book with allover gilt design and plain leaves. Measures 9” x 11.75”. Leather loss to board corners and warping to front board. Very good overall with immaculate interior. Sold for $1,875.
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.
Amelia Earhart signed photo, along with her flight team Wilmer Stultz & Louis Gordon, after being the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. After landing in Southhampton, England on 20 June 1928, this photo was taken on the docks showing Earhart receiving a heroine’s welcome. Sepia toned glossy photo shows Earhart, in full flight gear, standing with Stultz & Gordon. Along with the three signatures, photo includes inscription in what appears to be Earhart’s hand, reading ”Best of luck to Louis Crossette”. Framed to an overall size of 11.25” x 9”. Photo is loosely stuck to frame backing, resulting in a tear along the left edge, and a small chip along Earhart’s lower leg, not affecting image or signatures. Very good condition. Sold for $1,562.
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.
Consign your Wiley Post signed photo at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Send a description of and images to us at [email protected]
FREE APPRAISAL. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Wiley Post signed photo that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).