LATHAM HUBERT: (1883-1912) Lot n° 1078

LATHAM HUBERT: (1883-1912) French aviation pioneer, the first person to attempt to cross the English Channel in an aeroplane. As a result of engine failure on his first attempt to cross the Channel, Latham unwittingly became the first person to land an aeroplane on a body of water. Dark ink signature ( ´H Latham´) and a few additional words in his hand, in German (allowing the bearer to pass through) to the centre of his personal printed oblong 12mo Visiting Card, featuring his printed name to the centre and address at Rue Rembrandt (Paris) to the base. Autographs of Latham are rare in any form as a result of his untimely death at the age of 29 whilst on an expedition in the French Congo. VG