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From the collection of the late W. Kenneth Jay, a pioneer in the aircraft industry. In 1911, as a 17 year old in Iowa, Jay constructed his own Curtiss biplane which attained a height of 200 feet which he sustained for nearly a mile and then safely landed. This was the beginning of more than 50 years in the aircraft industry. Jay served as a civilian flight instructor in the Air Service Signal Corps during World War I. In 1932, Jay and John K. Northrop organized the Northrop Aircraft Corporation in conjunction with Douglas Aircraft Company where Jay served as Vice President and General Manager. It was during this time that Jay met and socialized with celebrities like Charles Lindbergh, Clark Gable and Carol Lombard. Between 1938 and 1952 Jay was engaged in cattle ranching in Young, Arizona where the Gables frequently visited. Jay returned to California in 1952 and worked as Assistant to the President of the Garret Corporation from 1959 until his death in 1962. Auction includes a postmarked first day cover for the 1938 first flight to Phoenix AZ in 1938 PLUS a personalized letter to Jay from Jack Frye, the President of the airlines.

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