Vintage 8 x 10 photo of Earhart posing in front of her plane along with Hollywood stunt pilot and flight instructor Paul Mantz and Lockheed test pilot Marshall Headle, signed in black ink, “Amelia Earhart,” “Paul Mantz,” and “Marshall Headle.” Double matted and framed to an overall size of 16 x 18. Some scattered light surface marks and creases, and some light irregular adhesion to signatures, otherwise fine condition.
In 1935, about the time this image was captured, Mantz was serving as technical advisor for Earhart’s transpacific flight—the one in which she became the first person to complete a transoceanic flight from Hawaii to California. On her team was Headle, a veteran flyer who had piloted some 300 Lockheed airplanes on their maiden voyages. Yet there is one other vital “person” in the image who must not be overlooked—“Old Bessie,” Earhart’s beloved Lockheed Vega aircraft that helped her fly into the history books. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
