Mikeyw226 Posted July 22, 2023 Share Posted July 22, 2023 After bidding on an old storage unit in Texas, we discovered a wooden box containing what is believed to be some personal belongings of aviation pioneer Colonel Lester J Maitland. Postcards and letters addressed to/by him, a sad letter from a grieving mother regarding her missing son, military papers with his signature, and even a land deed written in his and his wife’s name. Do you think there’s any value here? please see photos: https://ibb.co/gvKdQ8v https://ibb.co/y8HpfxK https://ibb.co/RQrV5wM https://ibb.co/QQ431fh https://ibb.co/RTjPpdJ https://ibb.co/0DrLYmP https://ibb.co/sF6QL5X https://ibb.co/sFRy3ch https://ibb.co/Dr5hcpF https://ibb.co/1JTThn0 https://ibb.co/3Mrt091 https://ibb.co/KG0CTws https://ibb.co/qkFj09 https://ibb.co/JRFtY7j https://ibb.co/sbP3dNY 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72 usmc Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 Yes they are of significant historical value to the local historical society or aviation society in the area he grew up in. Do not throw out. Donate to the appropriate historical society in his town or aviation society in the state like our Oshkosh Air show museum in WI. Look for uniforms or aviation gear related items that may be part of the collection. He was born in Milwaukee , Wi and I am sure the Oshkosh air museum will be interested in the papers. You do not sell history. It's like selling your soul. One preserves historical records. What a lucky find. Please call the Eaa museum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lester_J._Maitland https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/person/lester-j-maitland see and contact a curator- the air show is this week so its busy, wait a week: https://www.eaa.org/eaa-museum The museum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EAA_Aviation_Museum Also consider posting this information on the warbird forum. These are the hard core aviation people and historic aviation preservation specialists. They live for the restoration of planes and records. http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/index.php Why stuff like this is important for all.... https://www2.archivists.org/publications/brochures/donating-familyrecs 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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