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THBEddie Rickenbacker Archive
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
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| $100,000 | $10,000 |
About Auction
LiveNov 16, 2018
Cowan’s Fall American History: Premier Auction features over 200 lots including early photographs, documents, manuscripts, broadsides, flags, and more dating from the Revolutionary War period to the mid-20th Century, many representing important landmark moments in American history. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (222)
- Lot Description
Lot of 4. Presentation silver cup, 13.5 in. high at handles; 6.5 in. diam. (without handles). "Presented to / Captain Edward Rickenbacker / World Famous Aviator / By the Boys of the / Northeast High School / Jan. 15, 1937."
WWI helmet, with "AERO" on the rim, "hat in the ring" on side. With liner. Slightly rusty overall.
Pamphlet "The Story of the Hat in the Ring." 3.25 x 6 in., heavy paper printed wraps. 14pp. This follows the (supposed) origins of challenges, such as throwing down a gauntlet, or throwing a hat as a challenge, to the "Hat-in-the Ring" symbol for the 94th Aero (Fighter) Squadron and later for Rickenbacker automobiles.
TLS, 1p, Cleveland (OH), October 16, 1923. With "WJD Motors" of Cleveland at the top (hat in ring in upper left corner); bottom with "Rickenbacker / A Car Worthy of its Name. To Dr. A.C. Nash, We are sending herewith a copy of the 'Hat in the Ring' story... The demand for this book has been so heavy it is in its second edition..."
Born in Columbus, OH, Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (1890-1973) became fascinated with all things mechanical as a boy. Even though he had to leave school to help support the family upon the death of his father in 1904, he enrolled in correspondence courses in engineering.
Before the first World War, Rickenbacker became known as a race car driver, with four Indianapolis 500 races in addition to many others, such as the American Grand Prize in 1915. During the early 'teens he made a number of connections with the growing "aero" industry, so when war with Germany was declared, he tried to get into the Army Air Corps. He had problems at first wince most chosen for pilot's training had college degrees, but his mechanical abilities got Rickenbacker into the 3rd Aviation Instruction Center, where he practiced flying in his free time. He was a good pilot, but his superiors still tried to ground him for his mechanical skills. But fly he did, racking up a reported 26 victories, a record that stood until WWII. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross eight times, one of which was converted to a Medal of Honor, plus a Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre by France. At the end of the war he was discharged with the rank of captain.
He started Rickenbacker Motor Company in 1920, selling cars which incorporated racing engineering. His cars were the first to incorporate four-wheel braking. He later purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, instituting a number of improvements, but he closed the track in 1941 for the second World War. After the war he sold it to Tony Hulman, Jr. He continued to design cars and airplanes, the latter especially for commercial aviation. He was a leader of Eastern Air Lines for many years. He collaborated with Douglas Aircraft to help design and build the DC-4, DC-6, DC-7 and DC-8 (first commercial jetliner). Not content with the business world, Rickenbacker also scripted a comic strip, "Ace Drummond," from 1935-1940. His ventures were many and varied.
He suffered a stroke in 1973 while seeking medical treatment for his wife in Switzerland. He contracted pneumonia and died a short time after. Four years later, still grieving for her husband and in failing health, Adelaide Rickenbacker took her own life at the age of 92. Rickenbacker was interred in Columbus, OH.
Trophy with some scratches and dents. Paper items very good. Helmet with surface rust.Condition
- Shipping Info
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