Lot 382

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Description:

Capt. "Boots" LeBoutillier Signed Photo & Print, Witnessed Death of Red Baron

Capt. "Boots" LeBoutillier Signed Photo & Print, Witnessed Death of Red Baron and Taught Amelia Earhart to Fly. A limited-edition print and a black and white photograph, both signed by American pilot, Oliver C. LeBoutillier. Includes the following:

Superb limited edition aviation print, measuring 9" x 9", personally inscribed and signed by LeBoutillier, "Capt. O.C. LeBoutillier / 209 Squadron R.A.F." near top. The color lithograph by celebrated military artist Robert E. Carlin (1925-2000) depicts LeBoutillier engaged in a firefight with the Red Baron, and includes an explanatory caption at top. Printed on heavyweight semi-gloss paper. Carlin's caption best describes the action: "A Yank in the R.A.F., Capt. O.C. 'Boots' LeBoutillier, Flight Leader 209 Squadron, last aerial witness observing one of the most memorable moments of all aerial combats, the death of Baron Manfred von Richthofen who crash-landed near the Somme River in France along the Bray-Corbie Road on Sunday, April 21, 1918." A few light scuffs to upper left corner, else near fine.

8" x 10" black and white photograph of Oliver Colin LeBoutillier, personally inscribed and signed by him, "To Alexander F. Nahas - with best wishes / Capt. O.C. 'Boots' LeBoutillier / 209 Squadron R.A.F." at top left. Printed on Kodak glossy paper, and dated "17 oct 61." on verso. The photo depicts Captain LeBoutillier in military uniform at right standing next to an unidentified officer at left. Expected surface wear, else near fine.

Oliver Colin "Boots" LeBoutillier enlisted in the British armed forces in 1916 eight months before the United States officially declared war against Germany. He became an officer in the newly minted Royal Air Force, soon becoming a flight leader of 209 Squadron. "Boots" eventually logged in over 600 wartime flying hours, and achieved ten aerial victories (compared to the Red Baron's 80!) LeBoutillier was one of only a few pilots who witnessed the death of the Red Baron when the German flying ace crashed his eponymous scarlet-colored plane over the Bray-Corbie Road in the Somme Valley, France on April 21, 1918. After the war, "Boots" served as a stunt pilot and flight instructor; his most famous pupil was record-breaking female aviator Amelia Earhart.

Manfred von Richthofen (1892-1918), popularly known as the "Red Baron," had terrorized Allied fighter pilots with his flying skills and deadly accuracy. Today, most maintain that Australian ground fire, and not a fellow pilot, was responsible for the fatal strafing that resulted in the Red Baron's crash. Yet the identity of who delivered the fatal shot remains in question.

Alexander F. Nahas (1920-2016), to whom the photograph is dedicated, was born in Marseilles to a missionary family. He later lived in Danbury, Connecticut and became a merchant marine and government bureaucrat.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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March 3, 2021 10:30 AM EST
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