This shield-form badge reads "COMUNICACIONES TELÉGRAFOS" (Communications/Telegraphs) arced around a central Cuban coat-of-arms shield, with "MENSAJERO" (Messenger) below and the individual badge number "576" stamped in a lower panel — identifying it as an issued badge for a telegraph messenger employed by Cuba's communications service. Crossed torches or flags flank the top of the shield, and scrollwork detailing frames the lower edges. The badge has a deep, dark oxidized patina throughout, consistent with genuine age and handling, with the raised lettering and central shield still crisp and legible despite the tarnish. The reverse carries a horizontal pin-back closure, intact and functional, with the badge number and lettering showing through in reverse relief. Worn but still visible, V. Santos is imprinted on the back. As a numbered, issued badge tied to a specific messenger and their position, this is a nice piece of early Cuban postal/communications service history.
Measures approximately 2" x 1.5"
🛫 WINGS OF HISTORY RETURNS!
The Aviation Collectible & Memorabilia Extravaganza Continues!
✈️ Part Two of the Frank Cuadrado Lifetime Collection — Online Only Auction
Lots Begin Closing: Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 6:00 PM EDT
CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF, COLLECTORS — WE'RE BACK IN THE AIR! Part One was a high-flying success, and Part Two is even bigger. Bid Y'all Auction & Realty is proud to present 250 lots from the world-class lifetime collection of Frank Cuadrado, retired Federal Aviation Administration employee.
Mr. Cuadrado spent a career inside the world of aviation and a lifetime preserving its history. This next leg of the journey features Tiffany & Co. sterling, 14K gold pilot wings, a fleet of vintage desk and display models, rare pre-1959 Cuban aviation insignia, and one of the most extensive offerings of Eastern Air Lines memorabilia you'll ever see under one roof!
🦅 THE GREAT SILVER FLEET — EASTERN AIR LINES
✈️ Large carved wood "Hockey Stick" wing sign, a true showpiece (Lot 132)
✈️ Framed "Fly the Great Silver Fleet" flag (Lot 150) and framed "Route of the Great Silver Fleet" route map (Lot 250)
✈️ 1983 "America's Favorite Way to Fly" triple time-zone wall clock (Lot 145)
✈️ Eastern captain's visor cap with insignia (Lot 232)
✈️ Dozens of Eastern crew and job-title wings, including Balfour 10K gold-filled pilot hat badges and wings, plus wings personally named to Eastern employees (Lots 135–243)
✈️ Eastern crew baggage tags, a 1966 Flying Golfer trophy, 1970s hard hats, and a classic "Fly Eastern" flight bag (Lots 123–124, 165, 233–234 & 246)
💎 PRECIOUS METALS & FINE JEWELRY
✈️ 14K GOLD Cuban Pilot Wings with National Coat of Arms, a substantial 16.75 grams (Lot 100)
✈️ TWO Tiffany & Co. Sterling Eastern Pins, including a c. 1930s–40s "E.A.L." airliner pin (Lots 139 & 223)
✈️ Sterling Eastern pins, cap badge, and "Silverliners" wing (Lots 140, 160 & 236)
✈️ Silver-plated Boeing 314 "Clipper" by Editions Atlas, with Certificate of Authenticity (Lot 15)
CUBAN AVIATION & MILITARY HISTORY
✈️ Cuban Air Force pilot's badge named to "Jesús Garcia" (Lot 104) and Cuban Air Force Command Pilot badge (Lot 101)
✈️ Two Cuban Air Force officer visor caps (Lots 228 & 229)
✈️ 1940s Aerovías Q gold bullion pilot wings (Lots 56 & 60)
✈️ Pre-revolutionary Cuban military proficiency medal bar (Lot 59) and rare pre-1959 Cuban Air Traffic Control lapel pin (Lot 88)
✈️ Cubana Super Constellation flight bag (Lot 243), Cubana DC-4 model (Lot 112), and large-scale Cubana Britannia wall piece (Lot 226)
✈️ WWII-era U.S. Navy and Marine Corps base employee ID badge from Guantanamo Bay (Lot 76)
🛩️ CALLING ALL MODEL COLLECTORS!
During aviation's golden age, airlines and travel agencies showcased high-quality replicas to entice travelers into the skies. Today these travel agent models, airline display models, and desktop models are prized by a devoted community of collectors, and Part Two brings one of our strongest model selections yet!
✈️ Seven mid-century cast metal Eastern Air Lines Lockheed Constellation desk models (Lots 106, 109, 111, 113, 114, 186 & 189)
✈️ Pacmin resin display model in Go! Airlines livery (Lot 110)
✈️ Gold-tone Aero Commander Jet Commander presentation model, presented by W.F. Rockwell Jr. (Lot 193)
✈️ Eastern DC-9 "Whisperjet" by The Walter J. Hyatt Co. (Lot 107), plus Westway Models Eastern L-1011 and Cubana airliner (Lots 39 & 42)
✈️ Government of Canada Lockheed JetStar "CF-GTX" (Lot 205) and FomAER Italy F-4C Phantom II desk models (Lots 128 & 185)
✈️ Century Wings SR-71A Blackbird "Ichiban" 1:72 (Lot 66), Eastern diecast by InFlight200 and AeroClassics (Lots 148, 149 & 151), and two sealed 747 cutaway kits (Lots 73 & 74)
🏅 AMERICAN AIRLINES & FEDERAL AVIATION
✈️ An extensive run of American Airlines positional badges, including sterling assistant manager, chief, general foreman, inspector, expediter, and more (Lots 17–26)
✈️ FAA credential and badge wallet group (Lot 227) and a Federal Aviation Agency pin from before the agency became the FAA we know today (Lot 115)
⭐ CATALOGER'S CHOICE
✈️ Our own Clay's personal pick and a modern standout, a Franklin Mint PATRIOTIC F-117 STEALTH FIGHTER (Lot 75)!
Whether you're an Eastern Air Lines devotee, a precious-metals insignia collector, a display model enthusiast, a Cold War and Cuban history buff, or someone who remembers when flying was an EVENT, this is your boarding call. Provenance like this rarely comes to market, and when these pieces are gone, they're GONE!
Fasten your seatbelts, since lots begin closing Sunday, October 25th! And keep your tray tables up, because the journey isn't over yet. PART THREE of the Frank Cuadrado Collection is already on the horizon! Register now so you're first in line when boarding begins. 🛬
All items sell AS-IS with no warranties or guarantees expressed or implied.
We reserve the right to add or delete items prior to sale time.
All items sell AS-IS with no warranties or guarantees expressed or implied.
We reserve the right to add or delete items prior to sale time.
Payments by Wire Transfer will incur a $15 service fee per invoice.
Payments by Zelle will incur a $5 service fee per invoice. Zelle limit is $1500.
Payments made with a credit card will be charged an additional 3.5% fee on the total.
**Titled items will not transfer until payment is cleared and items are picked up by winning bidder. Titled items not picked up within 30 days will be forfeited and resold. Any item not picked up on designated pick-up day/time will incur a $10 per day storage fee. In no case will a refund or proceeds from resale of items not picked up within 30 days be awarded to prior bidder even if already paid for.
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10. ALL SALES ARE FINAL!
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14. “Local Pickup” items WILL NOT BE SHIPPED! Many of these items are large or heavy. You MUST bring help to load. Bid Y’all Auction & Realty will not be responsible for any item after the sale ends. No charge back or refund will be allowed! Items not removed by the time listed for pick up MAY be charged a fee ($25 'Local Pickup' / $5 Small Items) to be placed in storage. For any placed in storage, a $10 per day storage fee will be charged. All storage fees must be paid prior to pick up or shipping. Any item not picked up or shipping arraignments made by the buyer within 30 days of auction will be forfeited and sold or donated.
15. ALLOW 1-2 WEEKS FOR SHIPMENT. YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL FROM SHIPPING SAINT ASKING IF YOU WANT YOUR ITEMS SHIPPED OR IF YOU WILL BE PICKING UP. ANY CHANGES IN SHIPPING ADDRESS MUST BE IN WRITING BY EMAIL. If you DO NOT WANT IT SHIPPED and wish to forfeit your purchase YOU MUST EMAIL
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16. For individual invoices (NOT INCLUDING SILVER, GOLD, COIN/CURRENCY & JEWELRY) under $1500, we accept major credit cards, wire transfer, ZELLE, cashier’s checks and cash. Invoices over $1500 must be paid by cashier’s check, cash, or wire transfer. A 15% buyer’s premium will be charged to all invoices. Local buyers may pay in cash with correct amount including change if they contact Bid Y’all Auction & Realty prior to their credit card being charged. Bidders must contact Bid Y’all prior to Auction close to arrange payment in cash. Due to an increase in fraudulent activity and non-paying bidders, any NEW CUSTOMER TO BID Y’ALL AUCTION & REALTY with an invoice over $500, payment must pay with cash, wire transfer, ZELLE or certified cashier’s check unless approved before close of auction. For any 1st time buyer invoices over $500, items will not ship until funds clear our financial institution. This can take up to 14 business days or more.
17. Auctioneer, employees, family members and sellers will be allowed to bid in auctions with the intent to purchase items won during auction. In no case shall auctioneer, employees, family members or sellers be allowed to bid to only increase the bid amount, however the auctioneer may advance the bid up to and not beyond the established reserve price of any item.
IMPORTANT PICK UP & SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS:
Pick up date for this auction is 10/28/2026 from 10-4 PM
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!
Shipping will be coordinated through Shipping Saint. You will be sent an email and/or text when your items are ready to ship. You will be prompted to confirm your address and will be able to pay for the separate shipping invoice at that time.
