The mystery of Amelia Earhart’s fate has captured the imagination and attention of the American public for over 75 years. Even today, in 2016, we are no closer to finding out the mystery of her ill-fated attempt to circumnavigate the globe. Offered here is a check signed by Amelia Earhart. This check is for the value of $100 and was signed on August 20th, 1935, two years before she began her flight around the world.

     Earhart was one of aviation’s true pioneers. In 1928 Earhart became the first woman to complete a transatlantic flight. This achievement instantly catapulted Earhart to worldwide fame rivaling that of Charles Lindbergh, the first person to complete the transatlantic journey in an airplane. Earhart’s fame led her to develop a friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt that lasted until Earhart’s disappearance over the Pacific Ocean.

     On June 1st, 1937 Earhart began her final attempt at a flight around the world. Earhart and her co-pilot Fred Noonan completed the first 22,000 miles of the flight without incident, eventually making their way to Papua New Guinea. It was here that Earhart and Noonan met their fate, searching in vain for a landing strip on Howland Island, a tiny uninhabited strip of land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Earhart and Noonan attempted to reach this island on July 2nd, 1937, but for reasons unknown perished without being able to land on Howland Island. This event is regarded as one of the greatest mysteries of the 20th century, and puzzles and frustrates scientists and casual enthusiasts to this day.

     This yellow check is from The Fifth Avenue Bank of New York and is numbered 1331. The text on the check is red, with Earhart signing and inscribing the check in black pen. The check is made out to one Dr. Joseph Goldstein. Earhart’s name is printed in red lettering on the left side of the check. This item is encapsulated by PSA/DNA (83907684) and has been graded a NM-MT 8.

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