Aircraft designer and manufacturer (1878–1930) who pioneered such far-reaching innovations as the aileron, the pontoon airplane, the flying boat, dual pilot controls, and the retractable landing gear. Cover from Curtiss’s hometown of Hammondsport, New York, honoring the 20th anniversary of his first pre-announced public flight, boldly signed in black ink, “Glenn H. Curtiss.” Envelope also bears a Hammondsport postmark from July 4, 1928. In fine condition. Accompanied by an unsigned photo of a Curtiss biplane. Curtiss’s flight of July 4, 1908, went a distance of 5,080 feet and earned him the Scientific American Trophy. RR Auction COA.
