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Auction: 320 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale and the Forest Park Collection
Lot: 1854

Lindbergh, Charles A. 'Lucky Lindy,' American aviator, author, inventor, explorer and social activist; as a 25-year-old U.S. Air Mail pilot Lindbergh went from virtual obscurity to instant worldwide fame thanks to his historic transatlantic flight, May 20-21, 1927, from Roosevelt Field in Garden City, NY to Le Bourget Field in Paris. Unique Aviators of France Auction Lindbergh Autograph Grouping. William H. Waters, principal of a NY hat and fur company and an avid collector of etchings and autographs, found himself in Paris electrified just after Lindbergh's historic transatlantic flight. A gala was being held in Lindbergh's honor at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées with the proceeds going to the widows and orphans of French aviators. After dashing about Paris, Waters was finally able to get the last two ticket for the event. At the gala, a short note of greeting Lindbergh had written to French aviators upon his arrival in Paris was put up for auction by the Chevalier Willy-Coppens, Belgian Ace and personal flyer to Belgium's King Albert. After spirited bidding, which included Mrs. Vanderbilt, Waters won the note at $1,500. Waters was escorted by Willy-Coppens to the box where Lindbergh was seated with the U.S. ambassador and France's leading aviators. There, Lindbergh personally autographed to Waters the auctioned autograph note along with a letter from Waters son Billy. Completing Waters experience in Paris, he was made an honorary member of the Aeroclub of France.
1) Original Autograph of Charles A, Lindbergh on U.S. Embassy stationary, dated May 26, 1927. Lindbergh writes: Cordial Greetings to The Aviators of France and signs "Charles A. Lindbergh" below. At the bottom of the page is Lindbergh's personal inscription to Waters: To W.H. Waters / Charles A. Lindbergh / May 27, 1927 / New York to Paris"; 2) Letter from Waters' son Billy which Lindbergh has autographed in pencil; 3) Cancelled $1,500 check which Waters used to pay for the Autograph, drawn on American Exchange Irving Trust, dated May 28, 1927 and paid to the Tresorier de la Caisse de Secours de l'Aéronautique ; 4) Program from the Gala Performance at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, which contains a photo of Lindbergh and facsimile of his signature; 5&6) Two Orchestre seat tickets for the Gala; 7) Lloyd's of London Insurance Policy on the Autograph insuring it against all risks in transit between Paris and New York for a value not to exceed 40,000 Francs; 8) Lloyd's Paris office receipt form for the insurance policy, dated 15 July 1927; 9) Premium for the insurance on the Autograph, for which Waters paid 415 Francs; 10&11) Salutory letter from the Caisse de Secours de l'Aéronautique, 28 May, 1927, regarding the autograph, with original envelope; 12&13) Letter from the noted Belgian ace Willy-Coppens to Waters regretting that he could not accept Waters invitation as he would be out of town along with Willy-Coppens calling card; 14) Clipping from "The American Hatter" of a two-column story on Waters' adventure meeting and getting Lindbergh's autograph; 15&16) Two copies of The New York Herald, May 29, 1927 with front page story on Gala in Honor of Lindbergh and sale of the autograph for $1,500; 17) Black and white photo by Underwood of Lindbergh standing before 'The Spirit of St. Louis'; 18) Original photo postcard of Lindbergh, leaning out aeroplane's open window; 19&20) PanAm 'Clipper' special on 50th Anniversary of Lindbergh's historic flight along with National Air and Space Museum program from the Symposium commemorating the event, May 20, 1977. Generally well-preserved, and Very Good to Very Fine. A fascinating and historic lot. [20]

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