Lot 198

Amelia Earhart Signed 1st. Ed. Presentation Copy, "24 Hrs. 40 Min."

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Amelia Earhart Signed 1st. Ed. Presentation Copy, "24 Hrs. 40 Min."

Estimate: $800 - $1,000

Current Bid: $750

(5 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Amelia Earhart
n.p., ca. 1929-1937
Amelia Earhart Signed 1st. Ed. Presentation Copy, "24 Hrs. 40 Min."
SB

A first edition presentation copy of Amelia Earhart (1897-1937), "20 Hrs. 40 Min. Our Flight in the Friendship: The American Girl, First Across the Atlantic By Air, Tells Her Story" (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1928), signed by Earhart with her full signature and inscribed as "To / E.H. Mack / Amelia M Earhart" on one of the front loose endpapers. N.d., n.p. Stated first edition on the copyright page. Hardcover, with the original plum-colored cloth-covered covers and gilt lettering on the front cover and spine. With the front and back pastedown endpapers being facsimiles of Earhart's inflight log. Expected shelf wear including minor bumping to corners, edges, and bottom headband, with a few scuffs and stains to the covers. Fairly sturdy binding with isolated natural breaks. Unevenly toned Foreword page and facing page. Isolated foxing and closed tears within, with one instance of a partial page separation located towards the back. Else very good. 11-314pp. Containing 61 black and white illustrations. 5.75" x 8.25" x 1.5."

The recipient of this Earhart signed book, E.H. Mack, remains unidentified. There was one Harry Mack, who served as Ford Motor Company district manager at Dearborn, Michigan, and with whom Earhart crossed paths at the Indianapolis 500 in 1935, but we cannot prove that this is the same person. Regardless of their identity, this was a rare and valuable item to gift to anyone.

Amelia Earhart became the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by air - aboard the "Friendship," a Fokker airplane - on June 17-18, 1928. Although initially Earhart's contract listed her as the airplane's commander, and explicitly stipulated that she had to get some flying time, the actual travel conditions (and Earhart's lack of experience flying by instruments-only) necessitated that the entire flight be piloted by Wilmer Stultz and copiloted by mechanic Louis Gordon. Earhart later described herself as "just a sack of potatoes" on board, but she actually maintained the flight's log and confirmed their navigational position. After celebrations in Southampton, the "Friendship" crew boarded the ocean liner "S.S. President Roosevelt" to return home. They arrived in New York five days later, on July 6, 1928. Earhart was universally feted upon her return to the United States, receiving a ticker tape parade, being invited to the White House, and attending various domestic speaking engagements in the months after the historic flight. Earhart completed her very own transatlantic solo flight four years later, in May 1932.

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.

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  • Dimensions: 5.75" x 8.25" x 1.5"
  • Medium: SB

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000