LINDBERGH CHARLES: (1902-1974) American Aviator who made the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean ...

LINDBERGH CHARLES: (1902-1974) American Aviator who made the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean, 20th - 21st May 1927.
An excellent vintage signed 10 x 7.5 photograph, the historic image depicting Lindbergh standing in a full length pose on the balcony of a Parisian building on the occasion of the aviator being a guest of honour at a reception organised by the Aero-Club de France following the completion of his historic flight the day before. Lindbergh is accompanied on the balcony by American Ambassador Myron Herrick and two United States flags can be seen flying either side of the large circular emblem of the Aero-Club de France. Photograph by Henri Manuel of Paris and signed by him in pencil to the lower photographer's mount and also featuring his blindstamp to the lower left corner of the image. Signed ('Charles A. Lindbergh') in bold black fountain pen ink with his name alone to a clear area of the image. Matted in black and cream to an overall size of 15 x 12.5. VGHenri Manuel (1874-1947) French Photographer who served as the official photographer of the French government from 1914-44.Myron T. Herrick (1854-1929) American Politician, Governor of Ohio 1904-06 and Ambassador to France 1912-14 and 1921-29.Herrick hosted Lindbergh in Paris after his successful New York to Paris Atlantic crossing and the Ambassador wrote of the experience 'The next day [22nd May 1927, the day on which the present photograph was captured] serious business began. The President wanted to see him, Monsieur Poincare wanted to see him, the Aero Club arranged a reception, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate both invited him to pay them a visit and suspended their sitting to receive him; a medal was struck in his honour, the city of Paris gave him a reception, he was decorated, feted and adored. He deserved it all, and it was fine to see him bearing himself throughout like the charming young gentleman he is'.The Aero-Club de France played a significant role in Lindbergh's historic flight. The certification of the aviator's flight required several documents to prove the performance. A sealed barograph, an instrument working with atmospheric pressure, was loaded on the Spirit of St. Louis; its six-hour cylinder recorded the altitudes flown and proved that the flight was uninterrupted. The start of the flight was attested by the US National Aeronautic Association and the Procés-verbal established by the Aero-Club de France on Lindbergh's arrival attested that the barograph was found sealed and reported that 322 litres of gas (85 gallons) remained in the sealed tanks. This Procés-verbal was signed by no less than 13 French officials, as well as Myron Herrick, the Belgian Air Attaché Willy Coppens and, of course, Lindbergh himself.Charles Lindbergh emerged from virtual obscurity as a U.S. Air Mail pilot to instantaneous world fame as a result of his solo nonstop flight from New York to Paris in 1927. He became an instant hero and his feat inspired an enthusiastic interest in aviation. (See also lot 170).