1930 National Air Races Medal Presentation Set Cliff Henderson Signed Letter for Sale

1930 National Air Races Medal Presentation Set Cliff Henderson Signed Letter For Sale

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1930 National Air Races Medal Presentation Set Cliff Henderson Signed Letter:
$850.00

INVESTMENT-GRADE 1930 NATIONAL AIR RACES PRESENTATIONSET
Original Cliff Henderson Signed Provenance Letter & Oskar J.W. Hansen Art Deco Pilot Medal
100% Complete Unified Historic Grouping — Exceptional Military & Golden Age Flight Provenance
ITEM OVERVIEWUp for sale is a museum-quality, investment-grade piece of American aviation history: a complete, officially documented **1930 National Air Races Commemorative Medal Presentation Set**. Unlike loose, anonymous medals found on the secondary market, this unified archive group retains its **irrefutable physical provenance**. It pairs the official bronze participant medal directly with the original, typed commendation letter sent under separate cover to the recipient, establishing an unbroken historical record.
Recipient: Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate (ACMM) J. D. Buck, U.S. Navy
Stationed At: Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia
Date of Issuance: September 16, 1930
Signatory: Clifford W. Henderson, General Manager of the National Air Races
THE ARTIFACTS IN DETAIL1. The Oskar J. W. Hansen Art Deco MedalMounted securely within the presentation layout is the legendary 10th Anniversary National Air Races commemorative medal (63.5 mm).
The Sculptor: Exquisitely designed by master sculptor Oskar J. W. Hansen (1892–1971), globally celebrated for his monumental bronze "Winged Figures of the Republic" at the Hoover Dam.
The Design: A triumph of American Art Deco geometry, the obverse features a powerful stylized portrait of a Golden Age pilot donning a leather aviator's helmet, crowned with victory laurels, and flanked by rising geometric wings below a singular star. Circled by the striking inscription: "The Olympiad of the Air."
Mintage: Struck in deep, rich solid bronze by the prestigious Medallic Art Company of New York. It showcases a magnificent, untouched chocolate-brown patina with exceptional crispness to the high points of the relief.
2. The Clifford W. Henderson Signed Commendation LetterTyped cleanly on official 1930 National Air Races letterhead, this document is a piece of premium ephemera hand-signed by the "Master of Ballyhoo" himself, Clifford W. Henderson. Henderson was the visionary executive who single-handedly transformed the National Air Races into a global phenomenon, introducing the world-famous Thompson and Bendix Trophy cross-country dash events.
The letter explicitly details the logistical immense pressure placed on the military air services during the grueling August 23 to September 1 races in Chicago, thanking Chief Buck for his tireless coordination of Naval and Marine Corps aviation units. The final paragraph directly binds the entire archive together, stating: "Under separate cover, a bronze commemorative medal is being forwarded to you, which will always serve as a pleasant reminder of the 1930 National Air Races."
CONDITION & PRESENTATION REPORT: The entire archive group has been beautifully preserved in an exhibition-ready matte display layout housed in a substantial, robust black gallery frame.
The Document: Excellent condition for its age. Clear typography, crisp folds, with a stark, legible fountain-pen ink signature by Cliff Henderson. Minor age-toning consistent with archival paper from the era.
The Medal: Stunning preservation. Deep strike detail with minimal wear on the high reliefs, showcasing a magnificent historic bronze patina.
SHIPPING & HANDLINGDue to the rarity and high-value nature of this historic archive group, it will be securely packed in heavy-duty materials to prevent shifting during transit. Fully insured shipping with mandatory signature confirmation.
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