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In the early 1990s there was a major auction of Lindbergh -related memorabilia that was part of the Otto Kallir collection. I recently learned that there were several apparent forgeries included in the collection that was sold. Does anyone have additional information about this? In looking throught the catalogue at the Lindbergh items, I can see no apparent forgeries among the lots. Thank you.
Posts: 13 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Oct 2003
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One of the the foremost living experts on CAL is Ty Sundstrom. You should contact him directly to answer this question. You should be able to do this through this website. Let me know if you have any problems.
Posts: 46 | From: Norman, OK | Registered: Oct 2004
| Logged: 205.188.117.9
Is the auction catalogue still available on the Internet for viewing? If so, would you be so kind to post the web address? I for one would be interested in taking a closer look at it.
Thank you,
Dan Clemons, Autograph Authenticator and Consultant to Reeve Lindbergh, Manager, Lindbergh Literary, LLC
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Thanks Robert and Dan, for the quick replies. Indeed, the catalogue is available, mostly via used bookstores. I purchased mine after a Google search of the internet. I don't think it is practical to post it on the internet, as the text is quite extensive and the photos numerous. It is a beautiful thing to read, and truly covers the entire depth and breadth of Lindbergh's flying career, especially the SOL NY-Paris piece and CAM-2. In fact, many of the documents are one of a kind. So from a historical research perspective, it is an asset to anyone who is interested in these parts of Lindbergh's life. I actually own a couple of the pieces now. Obviously they've changed hands a couple of times since '93. And of course, the prices have skyrocketed. There is no doubt, to me at least, that all of the Lindbergh documents are authentic. Where the issue may apply as it relates to the catalogue is that there are other aviation documents listed that include references to Henry Woodhouse, who in the 1920s was intimately involved in the Aero Club of America. Later on it was discovered that he was a prodigious and impressive forger. But he is not linked to any of the Lindbergh pieces. I strongly recommend the catalogue to anyone with an interest in Lindbergh's aviation feats.
Posts: 13 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Oct 2003
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I didn't see your post until yesterday. Thanks for providing info on Woodhouse. I was shocked by your initial inquiry about possible forgeries in the Kallir collection. I have a copy of the old auction catalog myself (they also show up on ebay occasionally), and I can't imagine that the CAL materials were forgeries. They all look authentic to me, based on the descriptions and photos in the auction catalog.
Can you share with us, which of the items you now own?
Mike Gretz
P.S. If you prefer, you can private email me at mdgretz@netins.net
Posts: 191 | From: Montezuma, IA, US | Registered: Jan 2001
| Logged: 216.248.76.131
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Thank you FlyLindy for mentioning Henry Woodhouse. I had heard the name of Woodhouse before but had forgotten it. I was once told that there was a forger in the late 20's early 30's that was a really good and prolific Lindbergh forger. I'm pretty sure I have samples of his work in my electronic archives of Lindbergh forgeries. You have been of great help to me and I thank you very much.
Dan Clemons, Autograph Authenticator and Consultant to Reeve Lindbergh, Manager, Lindbergh Literary, LLC
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Dan and Mike: I appreciate your interest in the subject and would like to connect with you privately on several issues related to Lindbergh collecting. Dan, can you provide me with an email address? In the meantime, I've received more info from another collector on Woodhouse, Lindbergh and how the former impacted the latter's documents in the Kallir auction in '93. Last night I spent time looking closely at the images of Lindbergh documents in the catalogue. There is no doubt in my mind that all of the Lindbergh items are authentic. I base this not just on the signatures themselves, but on the documents too. Private and hotel stationary that CAL used to write letters, official CAM-2 postal templates, airmail covers and other "paperwork" that frankly, I don't think Woodhouse could have obtained to then forge the signature, are all proof to me, at least, the the Lindbergh portion of the Kallir collection is 100 percent authentic. My source tells me that the Woodhouse-tainted pieces in the catalogue were pulled just before the auction, and included other noted aviators and explorers. And on Woodhouse, let me add that a few years ago I wrote a piece for the AAMS monthly magazine on his "skills" and how they may have tainted an airmail cover I have signed by Wilbur Wright. In the course of writng that piece I purchased from a dealer a trove of Woodhouse's own letters and documents, in order to better understand the details of his writing style when he WASN'T trying to forge signatures. I can share that with anyone who is interested. Over the years I have not encountered a Lindbergh signature forged by Woodhouse, but I am sure they exist.
Posts: 13 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Oct 2003
| Logged: 72.255.13.207
I would be VERY interested in any information you have on Woodhouse forgeries. I have seen some forgeries that could have been done by him but until I have a known sample to reference, I can only speculate.
I very much look forward to talking to you.
With warm regards,
Dan Clemons, Autograph Authenticator and Consultant to Reeve Lindbergh, Manager, Lindbergh Literary, LLC
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