An incredibly scarce original set of porcelain signs from passenger flight stairs for Eastern Airlines. This item comes from the collection of a retired Eastern executive. This sign was kept as a memento from a period when flight stairs were being decommissioned in favor of the new, climate controlled jet bridges which are still in use today. The only other known specimen is in the Smithsonian Flight Museum in Washington, DC. This set, which actually works together comes in two pieces. Both sides of the mobile stair unit would be fashioned with signage for the various airlines that owned them. A completely different configuration would be used for the right and left sides of the stairs. This piece is for the left facing side. The large wing measuring 91" long by 17 1/4" tall. The Round eagle logo which works over the wing to swivel in horizontal position, measures 27 3/4" in diameter. It is believed this his exact sign can be seen in film and photos on the flight stairs leading up to Air Force One at Love Field on November 22nd, 1963 when President John F Kennedy landed in Dallas, Texas. Both he and First Lady, Jacquline Kennedy can be seen exiting the Presidential plane using these stairs and tragically, returining to the plane with the President's coffin following the horrific events of that fateful day. The sign has been photo matched to period images. (see accompanying photos) By all accounts, a cornerstone piece both visually and in rarity, making this a crown jewel in any JFK, Eastern Airlines or general airline collection. CONDITION: The round sign has a few chips common to vintage porcelain and one small hole about the diameter of a pencil. It has what appears to be tiny bits of paint splatter no doubt from maintanence of the flight stairs. The reverse has some minor rust spots, also common. The wing piece has similar wear with some typical rust around the grommets where it was afixed to the stairs.