Lafayette Escadrille Signed Piece of Aircraft Skin

World War I

24.25" x 18.75" Signed WWI aircraft skin composed of doped Irish linen showing dark tannin deposits on the reverse side from exposure to wood spars, with the reverse painted with the iconic {Sitting Bull Profile} of the Escadrille Lafayette, a famous unit established for American pilots eager to fight before the United States' entry into World War I. The profile of sitting bull is hand painted, and appears to have been touched up with greater detail than typically seen on aircraft skins during the war, including elaborate shading over the face and eyes of the logo. This is in turn surrounded by numerous signatures of both personnel of the Escadrille Lafayette, as well as numerous other personnel from other units. Signatures include: Bill Mitchel, for the future General William "Billy" Mitchell, Wm Bishop, for the future Air Marshall William Avery Bishop, unit Commander Phillipe Fequant, George Thenault, Louis Verdier-Fauvety, Alfred de Laage de Meux, with fallen pilots James Henry Baugham, Frank L. Baylies, and Oliver M. Chadwick, and All-American football player Arthur Bluethenthal, all killed in action in 1918.

Further signatures include various members of the Escadrilles, both pilots and not: Charles J. Biddle, Sean N. Nash, Sgt. Joseph Litmer, Andrew Courtney Campbell, Oliver Slanker, George Fender, Alain Paul Seville, Herman Muehlman, Lt. Harry Brown, Bert Hall, James E. Parker, William Stanley Pitts, George Russell, Robert Ott, John Griffith Jr., and Chuck Nordhoff. The skin is also signed Edmond Gross, possibly an Americanization of Dr. Edmund Gros's signature, one of the principle figures responsible for the creation of the Escadrille Lafayette. Signatures primarily written with pen, with some done in pencil.

Authorized on 21 March 1916, the Escadrille N 124, better known as the Escadrille Lafayette, provided the United States and France with tremendous value both practical and propagandistic. As the brainchild of Edmond Gros, William Thaw, and Norman Prince, the Escadrille would provide the United States with direct access to modern French combat aircraft and training, creating a cadre of veteran pilots who could then train those to follow in the event of a direct American involvement in the war. At the same time, their very presence on the frontlines, including stunt pilots, highly educated young men, and aspiring authors, could inspire more Americans to support the cause of the Western Allies. Beginning with just seven pilots, the ranks of the Escadrille Lafayette swelled so rapidly that no single flight could take them all, prompting the creation of the Lafayette Flying Corps.

These American volunteers received their aircraft, training, officers, mechanics, and uniforms from the French. Of particular importance were the experienced French pilots who taught the Americans how to handle their machines, and provided them with an understanding of combat maneuvers in the air. Raoul Lufbery a French born American citizen, and who had been flying since 1914, became the squadron's highest scoring ace during its brief existence from March of 1916 to its disbandment on 18 February 1918. This aircraft skin serves as a tangible reminder of the utter newness of the war in the air, and a time when America's grasp of air power lay distinctly behind that of nations that had been at war since 1914. It is signed by future generals, ace pilots, officers, and authors, four of whom did not survive the war.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.