My own signature collection

[Harry Tate]

These are all from signed books I own.

1. Wainwright Abbott


2. Gwilym Lewis


3. Cecil Lewis


4. Eddie Rickenbacker


5. Elliot White Springs

[Harry Tate]

6. Arch Whitehouse


7. Willy Coppens


8. Taffy Jones



I'm most proud of the Abbott, since it was his personal copy of the book that I now own, and of course Coppens, Springs and Cecil Lewis. Rickenbacker signed anything that wasn't moving; his signatures are relatively inexpensive and easy to find, and Arch Whitehouse signatures are pretty easily obtained- I own at least 6 books that he signed, from the collection of the late Len Morgan, which is where the Coppens book came from, too. The Jones signature is from a first edition of the Mannock bio that Jones wrote. He signed that one twice, another treasure from the Morgan collection.

I don't actively seek WWI signatures, but these seem to have been destined to come my way.

[Doug Larsen]

For someone who doesn't seek signatures, you've sure got a bunch! I didn't know you had a Cecil Lewis. I think I remembered you mentioning the others. It's neat to finally see them all....

[Harry Tate]

Thanks, Doug. I don't search eBay or bookstores actively, but if I come across a signed book in passing, sometimes I'll make an offer on it.
Kathy Morgan was just incredible when offering selections from her late father's library and I will always owe her a debt of gratitude. It was pure luck that we connected in the first place. The late Len Morgan knew just about everyone who was anybody in the history of aviation.

We never really "own" little pieces of history like these, we are just their caretakers during our own lifetime. They will eventually pass into someone else's care, and so-on down through time.

[Croix de Guerre]

I have a letter of condolence written by Caldwell to the parent's of a MIA American volunteer. Does any one know how common Keith's war-time signature is?

[MK2]

Very nice collection, thank you for sharing it with us.