Dec. 2023 Militaria & Collectibles Auction
Lot 378:
Description
1926 Orville Wright Signed Annual Airplane Pilot License. Orville Wright Signed Aviation License for Alton B. Sherman. This piece of aviation history is a 1926 airplane pilot’s license signed by famed American aviator, engineer and inventor Orville Wright. This license was issued by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in 1926 to Alton B. Sherman acknowledging his licensing to pilot an airplane. It is an early license number 81 and FAI number 6218. The photograph Sherman is affixed to the top right inside panel, and the signature of Orville Wright is on the left inside panel as Wright served as the Chairman of the National Aeronautic Association Contest Committee. The official seal of the National Aeronautic Association has been embossed on the document. The license measures 5 x 4 inches unfolded. Alton B. Sherman was a nationally known pilot and manager of the Hyannis Airport. Sherman was the first pilot to make a landing at this airport. Sherman also won the Curtiss Trophy, for planes of 500 to 800 cu. in. piston displacement. This award also went to a Cessna flown by Sherman. This license has soiling from handling. Also, this piece appears to previously have been in a scrapbook based on the residue on the reverse.
Condition: See Description for Condition Report.
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