Interesting vintage matte-finish 11.5 x 9.25 photo mounted to a slightly larger card, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To Col. and Mrs. Jack Crosthwaite with warm thanks and best wishes, Charles A. Lindbergh, Furstenfeldbruck, Jan., 1949.” Crosthwaite was the postwar commander of the American Air Force base in Furstenfeldbruck, which had been built in 1935–1936 as the Luftwaffe’s Flyers’ Nest Air War School. Lindbergh’s ties to Germany—and his sympathies for the Third Reich—dogged him for the remainder of his life and permanently clouded the heroic aura which had surrounded him since his historic 1927 transatlantic flight. The consignor notes that this photo was obtained directly from a descendant of Crosthwaite and has not previously been offered for sale. Accompanied by a printed 1949 document outlining the history of the air base. In fine condition, with two unobtrusive partial vertical creases (mainly affecting background and well away from inscription and signature), a few tiny spots of emulsion loss at edges, and dark background resulting in moderate contrast to writing, which nonetheless remains strong, clear, and fully visible. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
