Vintage matte-finish 6.5 x 4.5 photo with French President Gaston Doumergue and U.S. Ambassador to France Myron T. Herrick, boldly signed in fountain pen “Charles A. Lindbergh” and also signed by Herrick. The photo, taken at Elysée Palace on May 23, 1927, two days after Lindbergh’s landing in Le Bourget, documents the presentation to the aviator of the Legion d’Honneur “Croix de Chevalier”—the highest distinction bestowed by France upon non-French citizens. The medal is clearly visible on the lapel of Lindbergh’s ill-fitting suit, a “loaner” made necessary by the weight limitations on the Spirit of St. Louis during his historic transatlantic flight. The reverse bears a French-language presentation in another hand dated September 8, 1927. A few faint “wipes” to negative and tiny crease touching Herrick’s last name, otherwise fine condition. R&R COA.
