A rare and historically significant early uniform wings badge from Eastern Air Lines — bearing the name the airline adopted in 1934 following the Airmail Act of that year, which reorganized its predecessor Eastern Air Transport. The obverse presents a pair of fully spread, finely detailed swept wings in gold-tone base metal flanking an oval center disc with a blue enamel upper arc reading "EASTERN AIR" and a blue enamel lower arc reading "LINES," with a gold center field bearing a silhouetted propeller-driven aircraft in profile with speed lines — essentially the same bold Art Deco design as the Eastern Air Transport badge but now carrying the newly adopted "Air Lines" name. The reverse is stamped "W&H Co." — the hallmark of Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey — with a needle pin and two C-catch roller clasps, a fastening style consistent with mid-1930s insignia production. The nearly identical design to the preceding Eastern Air Transport badge, produced by the same maker, strongly suggests this is a direct continuation piece from the same production run, simply updated to reflect the 1934 name change. Together the two pieces represent a remarkable sequential documentation of Eastern's corporate identity at its most formative moment. Country: United States. Size: Approximately 3½ inches wide × just under ¾ inch tall. Material: Gold-tone base metal with blue enamel; Whitehead & Hoag "W&H Co." needle pin and double C-catch roller clasp attachment. Airline: Eastern Air Lines, circa 1934–late 1930s. Condition: Very good; vivid enamel, crisp relief detail, attractive age patina, pin and clasps functional.
🛫 WINGS OF HISTORY! A Historic Aviation Collectible & Memorabilia Online Extravaganza!
Part One of the Frank Cuadrado Lifetime Collection — Online Only Auction
Bidding Ends: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 @ 7:00 PM EDT | www.BidYall.com
WELCOME ABOARD! You've found the catalog for one of the most extensive and historically significant aviation memorabilia collections ever offered at auction — the MUSEUM QUALITY lifetime collection of Frank Cuadrado, retired Federal Aviation Administration employee. Browse the lots below, but first, here's your flight plan:
★ THE COLD WAR CUBAN COLLECTION — The Crown Jewels History you can hold in your hand. Leading the way: General Eulalio Cantillo's personal FAR pilot wings — a direct, personal link to one of the pivotal military figures of revolutionary-era Cuba. Alongside them: Cuban Brigade 2506 wings and patches from the Bay of Pigs invasion force, Fuerza Aérea Revolucionaria (FAR) pilot wings in multiple rank variants, and gorgeous pre-revolutionary Cubana de Aviación insignia, including a bullion wing patch that has to be seen to be believed. Material with this provenance simply does not surface at auction.
★ FEDERAL AVIATION HERITAGE — A Salute to the Collector's Own Career A scarce Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) eagle badge from the pre-FAA era (ca. 1938–1958), a Connecticut Department of Aviation Inspector badge, and a City of Jackson, MS Airport Police badge. Early aviation law-enforcement and regulatory insignia is among the toughest categories to collect — and here it is.
★ DEFUNCT U.S. AIRLINES — The Carriers That Built American Aviation Eastern Air Lines (multiple pieces, including the wonderful "Future Flight Captain" child's cap), Hughes Air West chrome pilot wings, a National Airlines cap badge & wings set, plus TWA, Mohawk, Colonial, Continental and MORE. These legendary names no longer grace our skies — their insignia lives on right here.
★ UNIFORMS & WEARABLES — The Golden Age, Head to Toe Highlighted by a complete vintage airline stewardess uniform — jacket, cap, and period-correct wings badge — straight from the era when flying was an EVENT, plus crew insignia spanning multiple carriers.
Serious aviation historians, militaria collectors, Cold War buffs, airline employees past and present — this is your boarding call. Every lot tells a story, and when this collection is gone, it's GONE. And remember: this is only PART ONE — stay tuned for the next departure!
🔨 Bidding Ends: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 @ 7:00 PM EDT 📍 Online Only | Spartanburg, SC | Bid from Anywhere at www.BidYall.com 📞 (864) 497-0330
All items sell AS-IS with no warranties or guarantees expressed or implied.
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IMPORTANT PICK UP & SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS:
Pick up date for this auction is July 9, 2026 from 10AM-4PM
Lots may only be picked up at our office on scheduled date as shown above unless other arrangements are made prior to that date. We will combine shipping for multiple auctions ending within 10 days of the other.
IMPORTANT SHIPPING INFORMATION!
All shipping cost are the responsibility of the buyer and will be charged separate from the auction.
ITEMS WILL ONLY BE SHIPPED TO THE ADDRESS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PAYMENT AND USED AT REGISTRATION!
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