Lot #423

Flight Across the Atlantic

Description

Twenty-seven early 20th century naval aviators commemorate The Flight Across the Atlantic

Signed book: Flight Across the Atlantic, one of only 200 copies of this edition that were printed. NY: Curtis Aeroplane, 1919. Hardcover, 8.5 x 11.5, 88 pages. Signed in pencil and fountain pen by 27 on a back page designated for autographs. Signers include: A. C. Read, Irwin S. Cobb, Admiral D. W. Taylor, John N. Willeys, N. E. Irwin, J. H. Towers, Edward Wheeler, H. E. Lesan, Rear Admiral J. H. Glenn, J. P. Davies, Chas. M. Mauly, and J. A. Davis. In very good condition, with some scattered light soiling and toning to opening and closing pages and inside covers, notes in an unknown hand on the first free ed page, and light surface wear, staining, and chipping to covers and spine.

Among the naval notables signing this book is Albert Cushing Read, who rose to the rank of rear admiral. Born in Lyme, New Hampshire into a Boston Brahmin family, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, graduating in the Class of 1907. In 1915, he was designated a naval aviator.

As a lieutenant commander in May 1919, Read commanded a crew of five on the NC-4 flying boat, the first aircraft ever to make a transatlantic flight, eight years before Charles Lindbergh’s historic solo, non-stop flight. Read's flight started from Rockaway Beach, Long Island, and took 23 days and six stops before arriving in Plymouth, England.

This scare, limited edition sports an amazing array of signatures by naval aviation elite. RRAuction COA.

Auction Info

• Auction Title:
• Dates: #351 - Ended November 11, 2009