United States Aerophilately
"VIN FIZ" FLOWN COVERS AND CARDS
| Lot |
Symbol |
CatNo. |
Lot Description |
CV or Estimate |
| 1 |
 |
|
 Crash of the "Vin Fiz" at Middletown, NY on September
18, 1911, photographic post card showing Rodgers and his mechanics
rummaging through the wreckage of his Wright Model EX after having crashed
in Middletown, NY following his attempted take-off, inscribed "Wreck of
Roger's [sic] Aeroplane, Middletown, N.Y. 1911", address side franked with
1c Green Franklin and tied by "Middletown, N.Y./Sep 18, 1911" wavy line
machine cancel, no message written on card, however it has been initialed
by three individuals, including James Dunn, the chauffer to C. Meekel of
Armour & Co., the sponsors of the "Vin Fiz" flight, very fine; the only
recorded card postmarked on the day of the Middletown crash; an amazing
same-day-produced picture post card "commemorating" the crash; Rodgers
continued his flight on September 21 after making the necessary repairs. (imagea)
(Image) |
Est. 1,000-1,500
SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 2 |
|
|
 1911/Aerial/Rodgers/Post/1911" Type 1 circular
handstamp, well struck on address side of photographic post card
illustrating the wrecked "Vin Fiz", noted in his own hand on the picture
side "Part of wrecked machine" and "C.L. Wiggin" (mechanic), with arrow
drawn pointing out himself and other mechanics examining the wreckage, 1c
Green Franklin tied to card by "Salamanca, N.Y./Sep 25, 1911" waving flag
machine cancel, addressed by Wiggin to L.A. Wiggin in Atlanta, with his
brief message "Salamanca, N.Y. Sept 24th, C.L.W.", card with minor toning
and light creases, fine; believed to be the only example known of the
Type 1 circular handstamp from this famous transcontinental flight (the
only one used alone - see next lot).
(imagea)
(Image) |
Est. 5,000-7,500
SOLD for $4,250.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 3 |
|
|
 1911/Aerial/Rodgers/Post/1911 Type 1A circular
handstamp, used in conjunction with straight line "RODGERS AERIAL
ROUTE" handstamp in matching ink on the reverse of a lithographic picture
post card of Rodgers at one of his wreck scenes, franked with 1c Green
Franklin and tied by "Springfield, Ill./Oct 9, 1911" machine cancel
(actually an important day in the history of the "Vin Fiz" stamps created
by Rodgers' wife, Mabel, who on that day reportedly received a telegram
from the Postmaster General Hitchcock appointing her an official
postmistress - giving her stamps potentially more of an "official" status -
but a copy of the telegram has never been found), message written by C.L.
Wiggin "Springfield Ill. Oct 9th 1911. Arrived all OK from Peoria at 5:25
PM, C.L. Wiggin. Leave for Kansas City tomorrow" and addressed to M.S.
Wiggin in Atlanta, very fine; the only recorded example of the Type 1A
handstamp on cover. (imagea)
(Image) |
Est. 5,000-7,500
SOLD for $6,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 4 |
|
CL2 |
 #CL2, 25c Black, Rodgers "Vin Fiz" semi-official air
post, cut close as always, affixed over top left edge of the address
side of a flown souvenir post card (stamp was originally folded over
on to the back side of the post card) and tied by by clear "San Antonio,
Tex./Oct 22, 1911/8 PM" wavy line machine cancel, cancel also ties 1c Green
Franklin, addressed to Dallas, Tex., minor creasing to card not affecting
the "Vin Fiz" stamp, overall very fine.The message on the card (reported
to have been written by Rodgers' wife Mabel) reads "McGinley and Estes
Aviators To Be Mailed From San Antonio." and addressed to the Dallas News.
This remarkable card began its journey on the "Vin Fiz" somewhere in Texas
(probably Waco, Granger, Austin or Kyle) and made stops in Kyle and San
Marcos, Tex, both on October 22, and arrived in San Antonio on the same
day. From there it was forwarded by ground transportation to
Dallas.One of only eight recorded flown covers bearing the famous
"Vin Fiz" semi-official air post stamp, which was used during the first
successful transcontinental flight. In addition, this is the only
example used from San Antonio, Tex. An important artifact from one of the
most pivitol events in aviation history; ex-McCoy, Goodkind, Lettick and
O'Sullivan. (Image) |
Est. 40,000-50,000
SOLD for $47,500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 5 |
|
CL2 |
 #CL2, 25c Black, Rodgers "Vin Fiz" semi-official air
post, cut close as always, trivial nick at top, affixed to reverse of
flown cover and tied by "Oakland, Cal./Nov 6, 1911/8:30 AM Panama
Pacific Exposition in San Francisco 1915" receiving machine cancel, address
side with 1c Green Franklin tied by "Imperial Junction, Cal./Nov 4, 1911
A.M." c.d.s., envelope with Deming, N.M. grocer's printed corner card,
addressed to a Miss Rosa Benicia Stone in Oakland, Cal., cover opened
roughly at right, small tear at bottom and faint water stain, none of which
affects the stamps or markings, overall very fine.This cover started its
journey on the "Vin Fiz" on October 30 at Deming, N.M., and made multiple
stops in: Lordsburgh, N.M. (October 30), Willcox, Ariz. (October 31),
Tucson and Maricopa, Ariz. (November 1), Phoenix and Stoval, Ariz.
(November 2) and finishing in Imperial Junction, Cal. (November 3). At
Imperial Junction it was forwarded to Oakland by ground
transportation.A most spectacular usage of the famous "Vin Fiz"
semi-official air post stamp, being one of only eight recorded pieces of
mail bearing this adhesive . In addition, this is the only "Vin Fiz" stamp
known on an envelope - the other seven are on cards - unique in this
regard. This cover also has the distinction of having realized the
highest price of any of the eight known pieces of mail bearing the "Vin
Fiz" stamp, when last offered at auction in March 2002 (Robert A. Siegel
Auction Galleries, Inc.). It realized $105,000.00, plus the buyer's
premium, for a total of $115,500.00; ex-Mack.
(imagea)
(Image) |
Est. 75,000-100,000
SOLD for $70,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 6 |
|
CL2 |
 #CL2, 25c Black, Rodgers "Vin Fiz" semi-official air
post, cut close as always, affixed neatly to the top left portion of
the address side of a picture post card depicting the "Vin Fiz" Flyer,
along with an inset photo of Rodgers, used in conjunction with a 1c Green
Franklin which is tied by clear strike of "Imperial Junction, Cal./Nov 4,
1911/A.M." c.d.s., addressed in blue crayon to a Mrs. Wharton M. Knight in
Allegheny, Pa., backstamped "Pittsburg, Pa./Nov 8", trivial edge wear, very
fine.The message on the card reads "Calbraith carried this in his Wright
model Ex racing aeroplane from Tucson to Phoenix. Keep it as a souvenir."
This handsome and amazing flown card began its journey from Tucson, Ariz.,
on November 1, 1911, with stops in Maricopa (November 1), Phoenix and
Stoval, Ariz. (November 2), before finally arriving in Imperial Junction,
Cal. on November 3. From there it was forwarded by ground transportation to
Pennsylvania.One of only eight flown covers bearing the famous "Vin
Fiz" semi-official air post stamp, as well as being one of the nicest
quality examples available. In addition to the eight recorded covers,
there are only four off cover "Vin Fiz" stamps known. A cover of
extraordinary philatelic and historical significance.
(imagea)
(Image) |
Est. 40,000-50,000
SOLD for $60,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 7 |
|
CL2 |
 #CL2, 25c Black, Rodgers "Vin Fiz" semi-official air
post, cut close as always, minor scissor cut at upper right, affixed
neatly (and upright) to top left corner of 1c McKinley postal card,
additionally franked with a 1c Green Franklin, which is tied by a neat
strike of "Pasadena, Cal./Nov 8, 1911/8-PM" machine cancel with
Panama-Pacific slogan, addressed to an Otto Hunter in Cologne,
Germany, slight creasing at card corners, overall very fine.On the
reverse of the postal card is a message from C.F. Threle to his
brother-in-law in Germany and reads "Willcox, Arz. Nov. 1, 1911. Dear Otto,
As the first Transcontinental Rogers Aeroplane (Atlantic to Pacific Coast)
passes through here to-day, I'll use these means of conveyance to send you
a few lines, which please attach to your stamp collection. With kind
regards to all, Your a.b.i.l [affectionate brother-in-law] C.F. Threle."
This card had quite the journey on the "Vin Fiz", beginning in Willcox,
Ariz. on November 1, 1911 and making numerous intermediate stops (Tucson
and Maricopa, Ariz. on November 1, Phoenix and Stoval, Ariz. on November 2,
Imperial Junction, Cal. on November 3, Banning, Cal. on November 4, and
Beaumont and Pomona, Cal. on November 5) before arriving in Pasadena on
November 5.Of the eight recorded examples of the "Vin Fiz" stamp on
flown covers, this cover is perhaps the most remarkable and desirable of
all for three unique reasons. First, this is the only stamp known on a
flown card that reached the intended west coast destination of Pasadena.
Second, this is the only one used on a United States postal card. And,
finally, it is the only one used on mail to a foreign destination. A
fabulous United States and air post rarity.
(imagea)
(Image) |
Est. 50,000-75,000
SOLD for $60,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 8 |
|
|
 #AAMC #2c, Crash of Calbraith Rodger's "Vin Fiz"
Flyer at Compton, Cal. on November 12, 1911, lithographic post card
picturing Cal Rodgers and his "Vin Fiz" Flyer, on the address side is
special five-line purple cachet for the flight, plus well struck three-line
"Machine wrecked/at Compton/Aviator Injured handstamp, card franked
with 1c Green Franklin and tied by bold "Long Beach, Cal./Nov 16, 1911/10
AM" machine flag cancel, addressed to a Mrs. T.E. Peters at Long Beach,
bottom of card scuffed (damaged in crash?), otherwise fine.The five-line
flight cachet was applied to mail intended to be carried by the "Vin Fiz"
on the final leg of the flight, from Pasadena to Long Beach. However, the
plane crashed upon takeoff from the stop at Compton, California, leaving
Rodgers seriously injured and the plane completely wrecked. The three line
"crash" handstamp was then applied. One month later Rodgers had recovered
enough to complete the last leg to Long Beach in a totally rebuilt
plane.One of only seven recorded covers from the wreck of the "Vin Fiz"
at Compton, California. A perfect cover to accompany one of the four "Vin
Fiz" covers offered in this auction bearing the special stamp prepared for
this first successful transcontinental flight - completing the story of
this historic event in early aviation history.
(imagea)
(Image) |
Est. 7,500-10,000
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction |
| 9 |
|
|
 "Greetings from the Sky" original "Vin Fiz"
promotional slips, a remarkable trio (different versions) of small
slips dropped from the plane during its promotional flights across the
U.S., according to some sources Rodgers' was none too pleased to have
participated in the promotion, one slip in particular has been annotated
and dated (September 27, 1911) as having been dropped on a leg from
Canisteo to Salamanca, another with pencil note "saw the first one fly
Sept. 30 1911", very fine. (imagea)
(Image) |
Est. 2,000-3,000
SOLD for $3,750.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 10 |
|
|
 Charles E. Taylor and R.P. Richardson autographs
on two separate cards, each being an important figure involved with
Rodgers' record-breaking journey, Taylor being the master mechanic at the
Wright Brothers factory which built the Wright Model EX (and Taylor was
assigned to the Rodgers flight by the Wrights); and Richardson was the
first manager to Rodgers; perfect collateral for exhibition. (Image) |
Est. 500-750
SOLD for $350.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 11 |
|
|
Outstanding accumulation of "Vin Fiz" collateral, photographs and a
piece of the "Vin Fiz" plane, a binder filled with several dozen
largely contemporary photographs of the plane, crowds at various landings,
wreck scenes, etc., including a very rare stereocard depicting the plane,
plus a wealth of clippings and printed material, and concluding with a
sliver of wood dated "Nov. 12 1911 Vin Fiz", reputed to be a piece of the
plane from the wreck at Compton, Cal.; an essential group if one ever
wishes to prepare an exhibit. |
Est. 1,000-1,500
SOLD for $1,150.00
Will close during Public Auction |
CHARLES LINDBERGH SIGNED LETTERS
| Lot |
Symbol |
CatNo. |
Lot Description |
CV or Estimate |
| 12 |
|
|
 Charles A. Lindbergh - a remarkable cover and
original letter enclosure carried personally by Lindbergh on his historic
non-stop transoceanic flight from New York to Paris, May 20-21, 1927,
aboard the "Spirit of St. Louis"; cover with red and blue "Air Mail"
printed design and with corner card imprint of "Wright Aeronautical
Corporation, Paterson, N.J.", typewritten address to "Mr. Joseph T.
Hartson/% Wright Aeronautical Corporation/Paterson, New Jersey/U.S.A.,"
personally signed "New York to Paris/Charles A. Lindbergh" and
additionally marked "Register" in his own hand at top right;
original letter enclosure accompanies, which is a typewritten letter signed
"Charles A. Lindbergh" on Wright Aeronautical Corporation stationery
which reads: "This letter, written in New York before my take-off for
Paris, was carried in my plane 'Spirit of St. Louis' on the first non-stop
flight from New York to Paris. My mailing this letter from Paris indicates
the successful attainment of that goal toward which we have have all spent
our thought and energy", cover and letter were mailed back to the U.S. in a
larger diplomatic pouch envelope with French postage (which does not
accompany this lot), very fine.Lindbergh was accustomed to carrying
fairly large quantities of mail on his many famous flights within the U.S.,
flying under contract for the United States Post Office Department. But his
planned non-stop flight from New York to Paris was different. He was well
aware of the risks and hazards of such an unheard of attempt. Lindbergh was
quite concerned over the weight of his aircraft, the "Spirit of St. Louis",
as he had to conserve fuel at all costs, including sacrificing his own
personal comfort and safety. This included the removal of even his forward
window for the flight, as well as leaving behind almost all equipment that
was not determined to be absolutely essential. Therefore, the carrying of
any kind of quantity of mail was completely out of the question. To date,
only four pieces of mail have been recorded to have been personally carried
on this historic flight, this particular cover and letter to his colleague,
Joseph T. Hartson, being one of the four. In addition to these four pieces
of mail, he is reported to have also carried six letters of introduction
and a business card.The historical significance of this cover and
original enclosure cannot be overstated. Together they clearly represent
one of the most important postal history artifacts of the 20th century, as
well as being one of the most important pieces of Americana not already
housed in a museum. (imagea)
(Image) |
Est. 75,000-100,000
SOLD for $70,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 13 |
|
|
 Charles A. Lindbergh, five-page letter signed, a
wonderful letter dated "Sept. 18, 1927" and written completely in his own
hand on Hotel Senator stationery from Sacramento, Cal., the letter reads,
in part, The 'Whirlwind' in my plane just completed 260 hours and is
working perfectly. You people certainly have a right to feel proud of your
engines. We have never had the slightest mechanical difficulty with either
plane," accompanied by original cover franked with a 10c Map stamp
(#C7) which is addressed to Joe Hartson in care of the Wright Aeronautical
Corporation, very fine and handsome; this letter was written by Lindbergh
during his goodwill tour of the U.S. following his famous New York to Paris
flight. (imagea)
(imageb)
(imagec)
(imaged)
(Image) |
Est. 3,000-4,000
SOLD for $2,100.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 14 |
|
|
 Charles A. Lindbergh two-page letter signed, a
fascinating and important two-page handwritten letter dated "Feb. 1, 1928"
on stationery from the Government House in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, the
letter reads Dear Joe: Mr. Voorhees changed the valves in my engine as
you suggested and the new ones are giving as good service as the old. The
motor has just completed 446 hours in the air and has never caused me a
moment's worry. As you know, a large portion of the 35 to 40,000 miles I
have flown in the 'Spirit of St. Louis' has been over mountains, forest,
water and jungle where motor failure would be unusually dangerous. I expect
to be in St. Louis on February 13th and will fly to New York sometime
later. With best regards, Charles A. Lindbergh., very fine; also
accompanied by original cover addressed to Joe Hartson at Wright Aero Corp.
(cover with wear); an exceptional handwritten letter by Charles A.
Lindbergh, discussing the "Spirit of St. Louis", written during his
goodwill tour of Latin America.
(imagea)
(Image) |
Est. 7,500-10,000
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction |
| 15 |
|
|
 Charles A. Lindbergh, single page typewritten letter
signed, his signature C.A. Lindbergh on letter dated July 22,
1931, accompanied by a cover addressed to Joe Hartson in Madison, Wis.,
cover postmarked "Hudson Terr. Annex N.Y., Jul. 22, 1931", letter folded
only slightly affecting signature, very fine.
(Image) |
Est. 500-750
SOLD for $500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
JOSEPH HARTSON AIR MAIL CORRESPONDENCE
| Lot |
Symbol |
CatNo. |
Lot Description |
CV or Estimate |
| 16 |
|
|
Joseph T. Hartson air mail correspondence, a marvelous assemblage of
covers and letters from the correspondence of Hartson, who was a sales
manager for Wright Aeronautical Corporation, as well as a longtime
colleague and friend of Charles Lindbergh, dozens of items, many of which
are quite unusual and fascinating, includes first flight covers, thank you
letters, etc., an excellent reference lot for the air mail and Lindbergh
specialist. |
Est. 750-1,000
SOLD for $475.00
Will close during Public Auction |
Worldwide Zeppelin Posts
ALBANIA
| Lot |
Symbol |
CatNo. |
Lot Description |
CV or Estimate |
| 17 |
|
Sieger #207 |
 Sieger #207, 1933 Italian Flight, attractively
franked card for this popular Italian Flight with seven adhesives tied by
"Shkoder/Posta Aerore/22. 5. 33" c.d.s., posted on the flight around Rome
through the Italian post office (should be Sieger #208) with blue green
Italian flight cachet, backstamped with Rome machine cancel, very fine;
this is probably the rarest of the Albania treaty-state postings, Sieger
lists this under the general number 207 for the Italian Flight but this did
not connect through Friedrichshafen at the beginning of the flight, but in
Rome for the flight around Rome which Michel prices as rare for any of the
few treaty states that posted covers on this leg of the flight (Sieger
€650 as #207; Michel #303A; €2,500 for this specific
posting). (Image) |
Est. 1,500-2,000
SOLD for $1,050.00
Will close during Public Auction |
BRAZIL PARAHYBA
| Lot |
Symbol |
CatNo. |
Lot Description |
CV or Estimate |
| 18 |
|
Sieger #59K |
 Sieger #59K, 1930 Pan-American Flight, a
spectacular example of the Parahyba Provisional, attractive photo card of
the Zeppelin just after landing, franked with 20,000r Blue Zeppelin issue
with bold "5" handstamped surcharge, tied along with 200r Orange pair by
"Syndicato Condor Ltda/Servico Aereo No Brazil/Recife/28 Mai 30" air post
c.d.s., large Recife Zeppelin cachet at left and violet American flight
cachet, addressed to Friedrichshafen and also bearing a Lakehurst duplex of
June 1, 1930 plus the small circular "Round-Trip" cachet, very fine and
quite choice.Originally three basic values of the Zeppelin series
intended for use on the Pan-American Flight were produced, with some
additionally overprinted "Graf Zeppelin/U. S. A.". It soon became apparent
that there was a shortage of the lower values, particularly the 5,000r.
Therefore 20,000r values and other Condor stamps were surcharged to meet
this shortage. In Parahyba (capital of the province of Parahyba) all the
5,000r stamps had been used, so an order was given to surcharge the 20,000r
stamp with a large "5" handstamp. Records show that only 13 stamps were so
surcharged with some of them being sold in Parahyba and others forwarded to
Recife where they were used.Research continues into the disposition of
these thirteen examples. To date three examples are known unused, seven
items have been recorded on cover or card with usages at both Parahyba and
Recife. One used example has been recorded on a piece. The Recife usage
offered here is one of the most attractive usages of the seven recorded
items and has long been recognized as an authentic usage of this immensely
rare provisional. This offering represents a rare opportunity to acquire
one of the world class rarities of Zeppelin philately. The card has been
signed by H. W. Sieger and is accompanied by his 1964 certificate as well
as a 1964 Robson Lowe certificate; ex-Kofler.
(Image) |
Est. 50,000-75,000
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction |
CANADA
| Lot |
Symbol |
CatNo. |
Lot Description |
CV or Estimate |
| 19 |
|
Sieger #64I var. |
 Sieger #64I var., 1930 Pan-American Flight, a
most interesting large mixed franking cover with five adhesives of Canada
including 20c Carmine special delivery (small perf. faults to one stamp),
all tied by "Regina/Sask./AP 24 30" c.d.s., in mixed franking with German
2M South America Flight Zeppelin single tied by "Luftschiff/Graf
Zeppelin/19. 5. 1930" c.d.s., flown on the leg from Friedrichshafen to
Seville on the outbound portion of the flight, red German flight cachet and
backstamped with the Seville machine cancel, returned to Saskatchewan, very
fine; this unusual posting is totally unlisted by Sieger or Michel, both
catalogs list covers posted from Canada through the United States on the
return flight from Lakehurst to Friedrichshafen, either with or without
United States Zeppelin stamps, but neither list a cover through Germany on
the outbound portion of the flight; this cover came about because the
sender addressed it to the Chief Post Master in Friedrichshafen rather than
the post office at Lakehurst, his instructions were that it fly by the
Zeppelin to Lakehurst and then back home, however the postage he used was
insufficient to pay for a cover on even the shortest leg of this flight, so
when it was put on the Zeppelin the on-board postmaster gratuitously
applied a 2M Zeppelin stamp and flew it as far a Seville (the Zeppelin
Company seems to have been generous to collectors who were unaware of how
to send their mail on this first important international flight); extremely
rare and it may well be unique as we have not seen another (Michel
#62c). (Image) |
Est. 3,000-4,000
SOLD for $1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 20 |
|
AAMC #Z-462 |
 AAMC #Z-462, 1930 Return of the Dirigible R-100 from
Montreal (St. Hubert) Canada, an attractive cover with a single and
pair of the Canada 5c Brown first air post (nibbed perfs. to the bottom
stamp of the pair from being affixed slightly over the edge) neatly tied by
"Montreal, Canada/St. Hubert/Aug 13 1930" c.d.s., black R-100 cachet that
was applied to souvenir covers of this flight, posted to Basel, Switzerland
with "Basel Flugplatz/Luftpost/18. VIII. 30" receiving c.d.s. on the front,
very fine; there was no officially sanctioned mail carried on this flight,
but despite not being carried on the R-100 this is a very scarce cover. (Image) |
Est. 400-500
SOLD for $325.00
Will close during Public Auction |
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