Clarence Chamberlin The Dawn of Air Travel Pairing: 1st Trans-Atlantic Passenger and His Pilot

A pair of items from historic aviators Charles Levine (passenger) and Clarence Chamberlin (pilot), including one TLS written by Levine just 4 days after their flight and a photo twice signed by Chamberlin. Please see below for further information on the contents. Varying degrees of ink smudging/fading, general toning, and minor creasing throughout. Very good overall- an exciting pairing!

The lot includes:

1.) Charles Levine TLS, 1p, measuring 5.25" x 7", dated June 10, 1927, Embassy of the United States, Berlin, Germany. Addressed to the Society of Automotive Engineers in New York City and sent four days after he became the first trans-Atlantic passenger. Signed at conclusion "Chas A Levine" and reads in full: "We desire to thank you most heartily for your message of con-gratulation, which is deeply appre-ciated." Features receipt stamp dated June 22, 1927 on verso.

2.) Clarence Chamberlin 2x signed photo, measuring 10" x 8", n.p., undated. The image depicts Chamberlin (far left), now an older gentleman, at an event commemorating his time at Chanute Field Airforce Base during World War I. Twice signed, once on front as "Clarence D Chamberlin" and again initialized with handwritten inscription on verso reading, "It must have been 1919 we flew together in a Jerry[?] at Kelly Field #2- San Antonio Texas/ C.D.C."

In 1927 Charles Albert Levine (1897-1991), Managing Director of the Columbia Aircraft Corporation, offered aviator Clarence Duncan Chamberlin (1893-1976) to pilot a transatlantic flight on the heels of Charles Lindbergh, who just completed his own flight from New York to Paris two weeks earlier. Both Levine and Chamberlin had intended to participate in, and take home, the Orteig Prize, however internal complications within the Columbia Corporation dashed their hopes of leaving before Lindbergh. On June 4, 1927, their Bellanca aircraft, appropriately named the "Miss Columbia" took off from Roosevelt Field for Europe carrying the first ever transatlantic passenger. Approximately 42 hours later, the two landed in Eisleben, Germany, effectively beating Lindbergh's record distance by nearly 300 miles.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!