Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Fathers of the Air Service Authentic Signature Collage, circa 1926-1993

$8,950
£6,797.75
€7,853.64
CA$12,543.75
A$14,038.81
CHF 7,327.18
MX$171,201.16
NOK 93,777.95
SEK 88,772.84
DKK 58,610.69
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Presented is a collage celebrating the men who made an early impact on the formation of America’s Air Service. Complete with signatures by Jimmy Doolittle, Tooey Spaatz, Hap Arnold, and Billy Mitchell, this work pays homage to the dramatic influence of the airpower in warfare. A photograph signed by Spaatz is displayed at the bottom right of the collage as well as a signed photo of Doolittle with the inscription, “To Frank Barone: With kindest personal regards and every good wish.” Towards the middle of the collage is a letter written and signed by Arnold agreeing to sign an “Official A.A.F Guidebook.” Lastly, the center of this work bears Mitchell’s signature on his personal “Boxwood” Middleburg, VA letterhead. All elements are framed together in a custom archival frame. James “Jimmy” Doolittle Most famously known for leading the Tokyo Air Raid during WWII, General Jimmy Doolittle contributed not just service, but ingenuity to the nascent air service. A military strategist, Doolittle also became the first pilot to fly from the American east coast to the west coast in under 24 hours, developed low visibility flight tools, modified bomber escort tactics, and led the famous Eighth Air Force. General Doolittle served in WWI, WWII, and the Cold War, but his attack on Tokyo and other major cities dominates his legacy and has since been called the Doolittle Raid. Carl “Tooey” Spaatz During WWII, General Carl “Tooey” Spaatz served as a commanding general of the Twelfth Air Force in North Africa and in February 1943, he assumed command of the Northwest African Air Force, which he organized. Spaatz took command of United States Strategic Air Forces in January 1944 and led the air war against Germany until the war's end in Europe. In July 1945, Spaatz moved his headquarters to the Pacific Ocean Theater. It was there that he received the order from the War Department for the 20th Air Force to drop atomic bombs on Japan. After the war, Spaatz became the first Chief of Staff of the independent U.S. Air Force in 1947. Henry H. “Hap” Arnold Hap Arnold was the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force and was instrumental in the planning of aerial attacks against Japan and the daylight bombing raids on Germany in WWII, including the Doolittle Raid. He was heavily involved with and developed many of the fateful strategic decisions made during WWII. Instructed by the Wright Brothers, Hap Arnold’s pilot career led him to eventually help create the world’s most impressive Air Force. William “Billy” Mitchell Billy Mitchell served as an Army Officer in WWI and was an early and ardent advocate of an independent air force. The first American airman to cross enemy lines in WWI, Mitchell was named Lieutenant Colonel on the American Expeditionary Forces in June 1917. Although his relentless pushing for an independent air force earned him a court marshall and demotion, eventually his ideas were put into place. In 1946 Congress produced a medal in his honor and presented it to his son. Condition: Overall very good condition. No significant damage is evident on any signature piece. The Spaatz photograph is signed in blue ink while the Doolittle photograph is signed and inscribed in black ink. Neither photo is faded, however there is one minor crease over Doolittle’s proper left eye. The other three photos are newly printed and in Fine condition. The Arnold letter is clearly legible and signed in blue ink with two horizontal creases from where the letter was originally folded. Mitchell’s signature card is signed clearly in black ink. Both papers are clean and bright. All elements are framed according to the highest archival standards including acid-free matting and UV protective glass.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 40 in (101.6 cm)Width: 43.5 in (110.49 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1926-1993
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Colorado Springs, CO
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: AS1451stDibs: LU909718334052

More From This Seller

View All
WWI and WWII Air Force Captains, Original Signatures
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Offered is a unique collage featuring signatures from some of the greatest captains in history: Claire Chennault, Henry “Hap” Arnold, Hoyt Vandenberg, Carl “Tooey” Spaatz, William “Billy” Mitchell and Edward “Eddie” Rickenbacker. These men are some of the most influential figures in U.S. Air Force history. Each captain was involved in WWI and/or WWII, some were aces who proved the usability and effectiveness of airpower, and others were brilliant leaders who paved the way for U.S. victories and the development of the U.S. Air Force. This framed collage includes original signatures on cards, a letter, and a photo. A photo of a biplane is featured at bottom and includes signatures from Claire Chennault, Hap Arnold, and Hoyt Vandenberg. There is also a letter, dated 1942 and featured prominently in the center of the collage, that is written to Elwood Maurer and signed by Carl Spaatz. Two cards appear on either side of the letter, with signatures from Eddie Rickenbacker and William Mitchell. Complimentary black and white photographs accompany the signatures elements as well as a decorative pair of WWI pilot wings...
Category

20th Century American Aviation Objects

Materials

Paper

Navy Five-Star Admirals Signatures, United States World War II
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This amazing piece of U.S. Naval history features signed items from all four World War II Navy Admirals to ever wear the five-star rank. All are cons...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

General George S. Patton Jr. Signature Collage
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Offered is a collage celebrating General George S. Patton Jr. This collage features Patton's original signature on a section of cream paper. Patton's neat signature and rank appears ...
Category

Vintage 1940s Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

Charles A. Lindbergh Signature
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a handsome display featuring the signature of celebrated American aviator Charles A. Lindbergh (1902-1974). Lindbergh signed the page, now cut, in black ink as "Charles A. Li...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Aviation Objects

Materials

Paper

Charles A. Lindbergh Signature
$2,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Mercury Seven Signed Collage Shepard, Glenn, Carpenter, Cooper, Slayton, Schirra
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
The Mercury Seven, composed of Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, John Glenn, Deke Slayton, Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra, and Gordon Cooper, was a group of seven fearless astronauts select...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

Frank Lloyd Wright Signature Collage
By Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an original Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation bank check, signed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The check is dated March 1, 1954, payable to Iovanna lloyd Wright ...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Modern Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

Early 20th Century French Antique Aviation Collage Framed Composition
Located in Barcelona, ES
Early 20th century French antique collage composition. Images of different aviation's models. By unknown artist. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

OSS Agent Personal Collection
Located in New Orleans, LA
This rare collection offers an unprecedented glimpse into the secretive life of Eli Popovich, an engineer, master parachutist and friend and collaborator to one of the most influential underground leaders during WWII, Josip Broz...
Category

20th Century American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Glass, Wood

Historical Figures Memorabilia Yalta Conference Print dated 1945
Located in Miami, FL
Yalta Conference print. WWII Historical memorabilia print. Historical Figures Print. Held in 1945, the Yalta Conference saw the leaders of the Allied powers—Joseph Stalin, Winston ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Prints

Materials

Paper

Frank Lemon, Signed WWII Offset Lithograph - Dauntless Aircraft Flying to Midway
By Frank Lemon
Located in Morristown, NJ
American 1945, a striking offset lithograph of "Dauntlesses" flying on their way to the Battle of Midway during the second World War." Below the illustration is an inscription reading "A few against many, Dauntlesses from far-off carriers race to the Battle of Midway, June 1942", signed in ink "Frank Lemon...
Category

Vintage 1940s North American American Classical Prints

Materials

Glass, Paper

1950s Modern Aviation Painting Vintage Airplane Art
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mid Century Modern Aviation Art, Vintage Airplanes Oil on Canvas. Unsigned. 42.5 x 31H x 1.5 D, Art 35 W x 23.5 H Original unrestored vintage condi...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

Materials

Aluminum

Framed Richard Nixon & Spiro Agnew Watergate Letters 1973
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Hand-typed letters between "Jim Harper" of California and the 37th president of the United States, Richard Nixon, and Vice President Spiro Agnew. It featur...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Glass, Wood