Aviation Corporation of the Americas Stock signed by Juan Trippe and John Hay Whitney - 1929 dated Aviation Autograph Stock Certificate

Stock issued by American Bank Note Co. This document bears the signature of Juan T. Trippe (1899-1981), a pioneering figure in aviation and the founder of Aviation Corp. of the Americas, Pan American Airways Corp., and Pan American World Airways Corp. Additionally, it features the signature of John Hay Whitney on the reverse side.

John Hay Whitney (August 17, 1904 – February 8, 1982) was a multifaceted American known for his roles as a venture capitalist, sportsman, philanthropist, newspaper publisher, film producer, and diplomat. He notably served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, was the publisher of the New York Herald Tribune, and held the presidency of the Museum of Modern Art. Born into the affluent Whitney family in 1904, to Payne Whitney and Helen Hay Whitney, he was part of a lineage that had significant influence in New York City and New England. After completing his education at Groton School and Yale College, where he excelled as an oarsman, he inherited a substantial fortune from his father, positioning him among the wealthiest individuals in the United States.

In 1929, Whitney, alongside Langbourne Williams, executed a hostile takeover of Lee, Higginson & Co., becoming chairman of the board at the young age of 29. Following his service in the Office of Strategic Services during World War II, he established J. H. Whitney & Company in 1946, which is recognized as the oldest venture capital firm in the United States and the source of the term "venture capital." By the 1970s, he had ascended to become one of the richest men globally.

Juan Terry Trippe (June 27, 1899 – April 3, 1981) was a pioneering figure in American commercial aviation, an entrepreneur, and the founder of Pan American World Airways, one of the most significant airlines of the 20th century. He played a crucial role in several groundbreaking developments in airline history, including the creation of the Boeing 314 Clipper, which facilitated trans-Pacific air travel, the Boeing Stratoliner, which advanced cabin pressurization, and the Boeing 707 and 747, which marked the beginning of the jumbo jet era, evolving from military aircraft designs. The signing of the 747 contract coincided with Boeing's 50th anniversary, during which Trippe delivered a speech expressing his conviction that these aircraft would contribute to global peace.

Read More

Read Less