Stunning vintage sepia pearl-finish 10 x 8 photo of Lindbergh, clad in a suit and tie, posing with the Spirit of St. Louis in a hangar located at the main Mexican military base called Balbuena, signed in fountain pen, “C. A. Lindbergh, Dec. 23, 1927.” In very good condition, with missing top left corner, a single tack hole to each remaining corner, scattered light bends and creases, diagonal crease to left border, and two spots of trivial flaking of ink to opening initials. Many of the perimeter flaws could be matted out to make an attractive display.
The date on this photograph coincides with Lindbergh’s 1927 visit to Mexico. Lindbergh had been invited south of the border by US Ambassador to Mexico Dwight Morrow for a ‘goodwill tour’ and also to spend Christmas Eve. It was during this trip that he met Morrow’s daughter, Anne. Although she would later become his wife, Lindbergh historians note that she was not at all happy during this particular occasion due to Lindbergh’s disrupting the family holiday with his fame. Even Lindbergh’s mother arrived on December 22, the day before this photo was signed, to join in the festivities.
The famed aviator also met that country’s president Plutarco Elías Calles, and although Lindbergh disliked wearing suits and ties, he wisely chose to dress appropriately for such an encounter, not unlike his appearance in this image. The consignor notes that this image was signed for his Grandfather Rafael F. Altamirano, one of Mexico’s first military pilots, who graduated from the Mexican Military Aviation School in 1918. Altamirano was pilot number 15 in the Mexican Air Force, making him part of the golden era of Mexico aviation. Lindbergh met with several Mexican aviation pioneers such as Altamirano during this trip.
Noted Lindbergh historian Barry Friedman states that this became one of the most critical picture days in Charles Lindbergh history, capturing the aviator in uncharacteristically formal attire, yet posing in such a casual manner, with his foot propped on the tire of his plane. Undoubtedly, one of the finest photos of Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis in existence. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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