Corinphila Auction 291-297 Day 2

Isle of Man THE GLASS SISTERS at the Manx Air Race 1939 (May 27/29): Hand-illustraded postcard showing the route and map of the air race, carried in the Air Race, posted at "Ronaldsway May 29" and forwarded from Douglas (May 30), signed by Mabel and Sheila Glass, the winner of the race Squadron Leader H.R. A Edwards and Alex Henschaw (2nd). In addition hand-illustrated envelope showing flag of Isle of Man flag and carried in the race held May 27th, signed by Mabel (pilot) and her sister Sheila (navigator) signed by G. de Havilland (winner), Alex Henshaw (2nd) and Edgar Percival (3rd), further two photocards signed by the 'Glass Sisters' in front of their 'Klemm'-aircraft as well as original 'sales' - letter by Francis  J. Field, the first owner of these scarce documents to C. J. Curtis. A total of only 25 covers/cards were carried by all 9 contestants. A fine and extremely rare group.rnAs a young woman, Mabel and her sister Sheila Glass took flying lessons at Heston Aerodrome, London in the 1930s. On obtaining a flying license in 1934, Mabel began racing with her sister in their mother’s De Haviland Gipsy Moth. In 1936, the sisters competed in an early race from London, England to the Isle of Man, flying alongside experienced R.A.F. and civilian pilots. In 1937, the sisters flew over 3,500 miles from London, England to Cairo, Egypt. The journey via France, Italy, and Libya in around 2 weeks.