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LOT 1512 Rare U.S. Aviation Section, Signal Corps Guidon - Offered here is a U.S. Aviation Section of the Signal Corps guidon that measures roughly 42 x 27 inches and features crossed semaphore flags above an American eagle in flight stitched on both sides. This is an early artifact from American military aviation history and not often encountered outside museum walls. Both the National Museum of the Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and the Air Force Exhibition Team (Thunderbird) Museum have a 1st Aero Squadron guidon from this same time period. Forerunner to the United Sates Air Force, the Aviation Section, Signal Corps was the U.S. Army’s aerial warfare service from 1914 until its responsibilities were suspended and absorbed by the U.S. Army Air Service in May 1918 per two presidential executive orders. When the U.S. entered World War I in April 1917, the Army possessed 7 observation, 5 pursuit and 2 bombardment aero groups. At the time of the Armistice in November 1918, the Air Service possessed 185 aero squadrons, 86 balloon companies and 55 photographic sections to just name a few. CONDITION: Very good, with some scattered insect type damage, otherwise tight stitching overall. A great piece to add to your aviation collection. A rarity in aviation collecting that dates to the infancy of today’s American air power prowess. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 4,000
LOT 1513
Interesting Inscribed U.S. Balloon Service Fabric Souvenir from the Philippines - Offered here is a section of U.S. balloon fabric measuring about 19 x 18 inches and featuring hand draw balloon sketches and inscriptions. The inscription reads, “Souvenir of the first Balloon flown/in the Philippine Islands by the/17th Balloon Co. U.S. Army. This Balloon/Broke away on the 20th of Oct. 1920 at/Kindley Field, Corregidor I. with the Pilot Lt. W.E. Huffman and passenger Pvt. Murray C.A.C./ The ascension of the Balloon was checked-/at an altitude of 8200 ft. The Balloon was/torn-while valving and the Balloon/gradually descending landed in Manila Bay/25 miles from Corregidor Island.” The lower right hand corner is signed, “Puttcomb/Dec. 27/1926.” Pilot Lt. Huffman recalled the incident in the January 2, 1921 edition of The Indianapolis Sunday Star. U.S. military ballooning traces its roots to the Civil War Union Army Balloon Corps. During World War I, balloon companies were part of the American Expeditionary Force, including the 17th. Reorganization efforts following the Armistice reduced the U.S. Army Air Service balloon force. The 17th and 27th Balloon Companies were attached to the Philippine Department. CONDITION: Fine, with clear inscriptions and illustrations. An attractive piece of U.S. military ballooning history. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection. Estimate: 1,000 - 2,000
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