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Auction: 369 - Autographs & Documents e-Auction featuring the Mike Roth Aviation Collection Part II
Lot: 25

Marjorie Stinson (1895-1975). Famed U.S. aviator. Encouraged by her sister Katherine's success, Marjorie, age 18, followed in her footsteps and learned to fly at the Wright School at Dayton in June 1914 and received her F.A.I. license in August - becoming the ninth person to do so. After an unsuccessful attempt at establishing an airmail route in Texas (making her the first female airmail pilot in the U.S.), Stinson joined her family in establishing a flight school in San Antonio, Texas, where she and her sisters become instructors - Marjorie known as "the Flying Schoolmarm". In 1915, Marjorie was inducted into the U.S. Aviation Reserve Corps, its only woman; she was a stunt pilot for over a decade; when the Stinson School of Flying, Marjorie returned to exhibition flying and worked at the Department of the Navy retiring in 1945. Letter Signed "Marjorie C. Stinson". One page, typed, on her letterhead, Washington, D.C. April 7, 1969. Stinson sends M.J. Randleman, NAA Secretary photo copies of 1916 and 1918 Aero Club Duration records, "NY Times" copies of Miss Viola Gentry's claim for a duration record; and Miss Gentry's newspaper interviews; and also a copy of the Official World Duration Record list compiled and distributed by the NAA in 1957. She tells Randleman "As the NAI FAI Official in charge of our records, I hope you will assure yourself of the authenticity of the Aero Club's published records in the Library of Congress. I may ask the U.T. to investigate these records themselves. I was at the U.T. in Austin, and what I saw there was amazing." She notes that the NAA "Aviation Graphic" of 1968 had inaccurate and incomplete date about her late brother Eddie's first Duration record; and that his 1928 record in a plane of his own manufacture was omitted from the list "as were many other record holders." She concludes by saying "Don't worry about anything. We can have a conference soon. I have an idea about publishing all of the records. Best regards to all there. Very truly" and signs to the right. Staple rust stain top left. Includes Stinson's original enclosures. Fine.

Estimate

Starting price
$240