Rare limited edition color 29.5 x 22.5 lithograph of a Pat Whipp painting entitled ‘Spirit of Flight,’ depicting the Wright Brothers, Neil Armstrong, and iconic moments from aviation and aeronautical history, created for the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1989, numbered 45/50, signed in the lower border in pencil by Neil Armstrong. The print is also signed by the artist. Rolled and in fine condition, with a couple of creases.
Artist Pat Whipp created the ‘Spirit of Flight’ artwork in 1989 for fundraising activities organized by the National Aviation Hall of Fame, which would sell the work as both a poster and as a limited edition lithograph. Bear Monita, the NAHF's executive director at that time, sent a request to Neil Armstrong asking that he autograph 50 of the lithographs for a special limited edition that would be used initially for two important purposes: as a special premium to those who donated $2500 or more to the NAHF, and to serve as the framed award presented to the representative of each year's Milton Caniff Spirit of Flight recipient. Mr. Armstrong agreed and in January 1990 the 50 prints were signed in graphite for this seldom-seen edition.
Accompanied by a copy of the original 1989 letter sent by Armstrong to Bear Monita, the Executive Director of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, acquiescing to adding his signature to the ‘Spirit of Flight’ lithograph series: ‘Thank you for your letter to my assistant, Mrs. White. detailing your interest with regard to the proposed signed lithographs. From past experience, I expect that I will have many of the Whipp prints sent to me for autographing, particularly inasmuch as I am the only living recognizable face in the painting. I have always given my autograph without charge to all reasonable requests (although Charles Lindbergh advised me I was foolish to do so). Consequently. I am always cautious when approached by any organization to provide signatures for any fund raising purpose. I need to be certain that the eventual recipients are not misled into thinking they are getting something they couldn't obtain in a less expensive manner. I will, of course, be pleased to sign the 50 lithos, assuming that the method of their distribution doesn't conflict with my perhaps overly delicate sense of ethics.”
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