Could Use Some Advice, 1926 First Flight Cover Signed By Pilot Carl B. Eielson

Hello one and all. I am going through a number of covers and listing them for sale. I've had these for years. One I had overlooked is a September 15, 1926 first flight from Atlanta to Miami.

Near the bottom of the cover is written ' Carl B. Eielson Pilot '. He had quite a career although a short one. I did find another cover signed by him, handwriting matches, and it sold in a Norwegian auction for about $500.00 US.

Not sure if the real value was that covers destination and signature or just the signature.

Was thinking maybe I need to consign the cover to a philatelic auction house.

A quick check of Eilson's wikipedia page shows why his signature on a cover would sell for a high premium in a Norwegian auction, given his Norwegian heritage and work with Wilkins in the far North Atlantic and Arctic sea. In the US, not so much like this C.A.M., but a signed cover from one of his private earlier flights in Alaska, yes. The guy had quite an aviation resume overall, especially his work with Wilkins, and experience in Arctic and Alaskan aviation.

You will need a sizeable amount in value to sell at auction. The auction houses have minimum consignment values.

Thank you both for your help.

I'll go ahead and list it on ebay and go from there. It's a nice cover and I hate to sell it off but that's just the way it goes.

Woody - I was interested in your mention of minimum values for total consignments. This is for philatelic houses I am guessing? I received a few quotes from non philatelic auction houses for non stamp material and was surprised by current commission rates. One quoted 30%.

Any ballpark figure for total consignment value to a philatelic auction house? I do have a number of local carrier covers that I thought about consigning rather than selling myself.