Signed Aviation Autobiographies
These collectible editions, signed by icons H.H. “Hap” Arnold, Amelia Earhart, Pappy Boyington, and Chuck Yeager, offer gripping firsthand accounts of early aviation milestones by the individuals who helped shape the course of aerial warfare, exploration, and innovation. Whether you're an autograph collector or a fan of aviation history, these books celebrate these important pioneers of flight.
In 1911, HAP Arnold became one of the first two qualified airplane pilots in the U.S. Throughout his long career, he saw our air capacity grow from almost nothing into the "mightiest Air Force the world had ever known." No other living person shared an equal part in its growth. For this reason alone, Global Mission has enduring value. But this handsomely bound first edition is even more collectible because of Arnold’s note and signature on the front free endpaper, written in blue ink: “Here's hoping that you like this story of the build up of our Air Force. H.H. Arnold.” As reviewed in The New York Times by Hanson W. Baldwin, “[T]his book is more than the chronicle of a flier’s life; it is in a sense a saga of United States air power, and particularly a top-level picture of the United States Army Air Force in World War II… Global Mission will take an important place in the growing library of war books.”
Amelia Earhart is arguably one of the most famous pilots to date. Her first book, 20 hrs. 40 mins. Our Flight in the Friendship, narrates Earhart's personal account of her experiences as the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by airplane, as a passenger in Wilmer Stultz's plane Friendship in 1928. Detailing her first transatlantic flight from New York to Wales, Earhart adds personal notes and childhood anecdotes to the log entries from the famous flight. She explains her early fascination with airplanes, as well as a discussion of the future of flight. Earhart signed this first trade edition on the free endpage in blue ink.
This autobiography of Marine Corps Ace and leader of the legendary Black Sheep Squadron is twice signed & inscribed by Pappy Boyington. The inscription is to the son, Paul Hill, of one of Boyington's fellow pilots and squadmates, Jim Hill. Jim Hill was also a pilot in the legendary Black Sheep Squadron (VMA-214), known for his combat experience and for being one of the original "plank holders" alongside Boyington. A really great association copy, the note reads, “Paul- your dad Jim was a great pilot and a privilege to fly with. Pappy 10/12/1980-” in black ink.
Yeager’s entire life story can be found in this riveting autobiography, which he signed "Chuck Yeager" in blue ink on the first free endpage. Readers can uncover the personal and public story of a man who settled for nothing less than excellence, written in his own words and supplemented by wonderful insights from his wife and those friends and colleagues who knew him best. “The crowning dramas of Chuck Yeager's life are irresistible: his escape over the Pyrenees after being shot down over German-occupied France and being secreted and escorted South by the Machis, his breaking of the sound barrier in Larry Bell's X-1, and his setting of various altitude and speed records.” (Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, New York Times, July 1985).
