Eddie Rickenbacker Papers

Collection

Identifier: 0101

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the lives of the Rickenbacker family, particularly Eddie Vernon Rickenbacker. It contains scrapbooks and newspaper clippings, photographs, sound recordings, 16 mm motion pictures, correspondence, diaries, legal documents (original and copies), condolence letters upon Eddie's death, maps, declassified reports to Army Air Force in World War II, other various reports of travels, affidavits taken by movie studio regarding loss of Eddie at sea, publications by and about Rickenbackers, and material related to Eastern Air Lines.

This collection also contains memorabilia from the 1939 inagural flight of Eastern Airlines. These items include: ticket stubs, photographic prints and postcards, newspaper clippings, two beach towels, invitations and name cards, flight maps, and The Great Silver Fleet News booklets. This accession also includes a trowel and framed photograph of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker holding it, Eastern Airlines Junior Pilot pins, a framed Eastern Airlines menu, Mexico national lottery tickets, a large framed print of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker's plane, and a large framed print of Leutenant Comander McClelland Barclay.

Dates

1909 - 2001

Creator

Rickenbacker, Eddie, 1890-1973 (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (1890-1973) earned fame as an American flying ace in World War I. During his lifetime he was involved in the automobile manufacturing business, automotive racing, and aviation. Although he was not the founder of Eastern Airlines, during his time as chief executive officer and chairman (1938-1963) he built one of the largest, most innovative, and profitable airlines in the United States.

Extent

36.75 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Spanish; Castilian

Additional Description

Finding aid organization

This finding aid is organized by accessions. Each accession represents an addition to the collection. Each accession also represents a transfer of physical and legal custody of archival materials from the donor(s) to Auburn University Special Collections and Archives.

Processing Information

Accession 96-066 processed by MTO/BP/DL/JL.

Accessions 96-84 and 95-97 processed by Marty Oliff.

Accession 97-001 processed by BDP/MTO.

Accession 97-054 processed by John H. Frederick.

Accession 97-063 processed by Tamara Tyler.

Accesseion 99-047 processed by Catherine Conner.

Accession 00-081 processed by Anthony Donaldson.

Accession 05-038 processed by Brenda Prather.

Accessions 05-041, 01-060, 02-008, and 01-054 processed by Javan Frazier.

Accession 06-015 processed by Deborah Belcher.

Accession 11-039 processed by Tommy C. Brown.

Accession 15-007 processed by Jennifer Wiggins.

Accession 19-056 processed by Lisa Glasscock.

Accession 20-020 processed by Tori Buchanan, October 23, 2023.

Finding aid added to ArchivesSpace by Elizabeth Bates, May 22, 2020.