Cork-gripped American Pencil Company dipping pen used by President Hoover to sign an act creating the air-mail flyer's medal of honor. Includes the letter from Secretary to the President Lawrence Richey presenting the pen to Congressman Clyde Kelly, February 16, 1931, in full: “In accordance with the request contained in your letter of February 11th I take pleasure in sending you herewith the pen used by the President on February 14th in signing: H. R. 101, An Act for the award of the air-mail flyers’ medal of honor.” The letter is matted with the pen mounted below and framed to an overall size of 16 x 19. The mat also bears several affixed airmail stamps. In very good condition, with overall toning and wrinkling to the letter and a crack to the mat near the pen. King was the sponsor of the act, creating the Air Mail Flyer's Medal of Honor to be awarded to pilots in the air mail service who distinguished themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement. Only ten such medals were ever awarded, the first by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 and the last by Harry S. Truman in 1948. An excellent presidential relic representing this fascinating yet little-known civil award.
