MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY INCLUDING AN ORIGINAL PILOT’S LICENSE SIGNED BY ORVILLE WRIGHT
Pilot’s license, two pages, 3 x 4.25, being Certificate no. 3609, for Robert P. Hewitt, signed “Orville Wright” as Chairman of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, National Aeronautic Association of U.S.A. Wright’s signature is on the first page, and the photo and signature of Hewitt are alongside on page 2.
Capt. Hewett was one of the famous “Early Birds”. In 1919, he flew the first commercial flight from NY to Miami with a cargo of fountain pens. He flew the first scheduled passenger service from Atlantic City to New York City. Hewett was the winner of first commercial free-for-all race in 1926. He was the pilot of a rescue mission to Canada for survivors of German airship, Bremen, in 1928. He was Manager Philadelphia, PA airport in 1929. Hewett held one of the first commercial pilot licenses, #93.
Robert P. Hewitt suffered the loss of a leg, amputated in December 1938 at Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, the result of gangrene settling in his once-frozen limb. He was piloting an airliner from New York to Miami when the heating system failed. At 10,000 feet the temperature was 30 degrees below zero. Hewitt and his co-pilot bundled the 24 passengers in blankets, but there were none left for the crew. Hewitt flew the ship into the airport at Washington but collapsed on stepping from the plane. His left foot was frozen. He was one of the first aviation heroes.
This early aviator’s license was issued by the NAA with the approval of the FAI. It is one of the earliest pilot’s licenses issued by the NAA, and is signed in black ink “Orville Wright” as Chairman of the Contest Committee. The license also contains the following statement printed in six languages: “The Civil, Naval and Military Authorities, including the Police, are respectfully requested to aid and assist the holder of this Certificate.”
This rare license bears remarkably preserved covers; the interior leaves are barely age toned. At the turn of the century, a small group of influential people formed the Aero Club of America. Its successor, The National Aeronautic Association (NAA), was incorporated in 1922 and kept all U.S. flying records and issued all U.S. pilot licenses from 1905 until the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1926. The NAA, in turn, was a member of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the international standard-setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics. This early license bearing Wright’s clear, sharp signature, is a true rarity in fabulous condition.
