Vintage matte-finish 11 x 7.5 photo of Henry Ford and Glenn Curtiss posing with a Curtiss flying boat during a visit by Ford to Hammondsport, N.Y., in 1913, signed in fountain pen, “Henry Ford.” In August 1909, Curtiss competed in a Grande Semaine d'Aviation flying contest at Reims, France, organized by the Aero-Club de France. On the first day of the competition, Curtiss was sued by the Wright Brothers for patent infringement. The legal dispute continued for several years, forcing the closure of Curtiss' company and nearly bankrupting him. Ford, who had prevailed in a similar legal action (involving, coincidentally, the same judge), took an active role in Curtiss’ defense, providing strategic advice and convincing Curtiss to use the same lawyer who had successfully defended Ford. With the onset of World War I in 1917, American patent litigation was suspended as part of the war effort, and Curtiss was soon again a millionaire. Accompanied by a 1926 letter from Ford’s secretary transmitting the photo. In very good condition, with a few scattered bends and creases, very subtle trace of adhesive to dark portion at left, and trimmed bottom edge. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
