BALBO ITALO: (1896-1940) Italian Marshal of the Air Force and heir apparent to Benito Mussolini. An excellent vintage signed 9 x 6 photograph by Balbo and eighteen members of the crew who flew with him on the second of his famous transatlantic flights, July-August 1933. The image depicts one of the twenty-four flying boats led by Balbo in flight. Signed by Balbo in bold blue fountain pen ink to a clear area of the image, the other signatures including General Aldo Pellegrini, Captains Alessandro Miglia, Antonio Lippi, Mario Baldini, Luigi Marini, Umberto Fiori, Silvio Napoli, Alessandro Vercelloni, Marcello Frabetti, Remo Cadringher, Luigi Gallo etc. All have signed in fountain pen inks to clear areas of the image, one adding the date 19th July 1933 in his hand. Rare in this form. Very slightly mounted at the corners to an oblong 4to card and with a couple of slight corner creases, about VG. £200-300.

Balbo´s second transatlantic flight lasted from 1st July to 12th August 1933 and the round-trip from Rome to Chicago was made in seven legs. In honour of this feat, Mussolini donated a column from Ostia to the city of Chicago, which still stands today. €260 - 390