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Auction: 177 - The Philatelic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 99

United States: Autographs, Manuscripts, & Ephemera
Solomon Andrews, airship inventor, manuscript letter signed,
to the firm of C. Schrack & Co of Philadelphia, datelined Perth Amboy, Jan 19th 1863, regarding balloon varnishing, and making reference to fellow pioneer balloonist John Wise having purchased material from their firm, signed "S. Andrews” in ink, a significant letter from an important figure in the history of aviation; Solomon Andrews, a medical doctor and three-time Mayor of Perth-Amboy, first flew his airship "Aereon" - which had three 80 foot balloons - in 1863. He later offered it to President Abraham Lincoln for use in by the Union Army. John Wise, a fellow balloonist, made over 400 flights throughout his life, and in 1859 on board his balloon "The Jupiter" carried the first official airmail delivery for the United States Post Office.

Sold for
$400

Starting price
$300