Lot 114

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Description:

Scott Crossfield 8-Pc Archive Featuring 9 Fabulous Autographs!

An interesting archive related to Albert Scott Crossfield (1921-2006), the record-breaking American test pilot. The lot includes two signed booklets, four signed photographs, and two endorsements on letters addressed to him, featuring a total of nine fantastic signatures!

The lot includes:

1. A NASA booklet entitled "Historical Sketch of NASA," printed by the U.S. Government Printing Office, ca. 1965, twice signed by Crossfield, the first time as "Scott Crossfield" on the front cover; and the second time as "To Dr Heck / Scott Crossfield" on the title page. The 56pp booklet offers a concise history of American advanced aviation and aeronautics, from early rocketry to NACA to NASA, ending with reports from the latest Saturn V space mission, and speculating about the space program in the 1970s. Stamped "Kenyon College" on the front cover, else very good to near fine. 5.875" x 9.125."

2. A NASA booklet entitled "X-15: Research at the Edge of Space," printed by the U.S. Government Printing Office, ca. 1964, signed and inscribed by Crossfield as: "To Dr. Karl Heck / Scott Crossfield" in the upper left corner. The 32pp booklet provides a history of the hypersonic aircraft program and contains 25+ photographs, illustrations, diagrams, and maps. Stamped "Kenyon College" on the front cover, with a partial black address label adhered along the top edge, else very good to near fine. 7.75" x 10.25."

3. - 4. Two glossy, black and white photographic reprints of Crossfield holding a model of the North American X-15 aircraft, on contemporary Kodak photo paper. One is signed and inscribed by Crossfield as: "To Karl Heck / Scott Crossfield" while the other is signed and inscribed by Crossfield as: "To Dr Heck / Scott Crossfield." Both 8" x 10."

5. A color photograph of Crossfield posing next to a Continental airplane engine, signed and inscribed by him as: "75 & on a roll / Scott Crossfield" at upper left. On glossy, stock paper. Near fine. 8" x 10."

6. A photocopy of a photograph showing Crossfield standing next to the North American X-15 aircraft, signed and inscribed by Crossfield as: "To Dr. Heck / Scott Crossfield" at upper left. 8.5" x 11."

7. A letter written by an autograph collector named Dr. Karl Heck of Gambier, Ohio, dated August 21, 1997 and addressed to "Mr Crossfield." Crossfield has signed and inscribed Heck's letter in black felt tip pen at lower left as "Good luck / Scott Crossfield." Expected gentle wrinkles, else near fine. 8.5" x 11."

8. An undated letter written by Dr. Karl Heck on "Kenyon College" stationery in which he posed several questions to Crossfield at the conclusion of the letter, including: "Just out of curiosity, what was it like breaking Mach-2 for the 1st time? Was the D-558-2 a good aircraft?" Crossfield answered Dr. Heck's questions in thick, dark pen, as "Fun" and "Yes" respectively, signing, "Good luck! / Scott Crossfield" at lower left. Isolated minor wrinkles to edges and corners, else near fine. 8.5" x 11."

Scott Crossfield broke the 2x sound barrier flying a Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket aircraft in 1953, thus breaking Chuck Yeager's Mach 1 1947 speed record. Crossfield was the first of twelve pilots, as well as the chief engineering test pilot, of the North American X-15. This hypersonic rocket-powered experimental aircraft co-produced by the U.S. Air Force and NASA would go on to break many speed records in the 1960s, including William Knight's 1967 Mach 6.7 record, still unbroken today. Crossfield piloted the X-15's first unpowered and first powered flights in June and September 1959 respectively.

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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September 28, 2022 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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