This tablecloth was maintained by Jimmy Doolittle's wife Josephine. Following a dinner celebrating his first all-instrument flight in 1929, Josephine asked her guests to sign the white damask tablecloth that covered the dinner table and then embroidered over the names with black thread. She continued this tradition and collected hundreds of signatures of other aviation personalities. Lt. Gen. Doolittle donated the tablecloth to the National Air and Space Museum in 1974.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
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Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
MEMORABILIA-People
Physical Description
Jimmy Doolittle tablecloth; white rectangular linen with autographs over stitched or embroidered in black thread. See Transcriptions for details of signatures (http://collections.si.edu/search/results.htm?q=A19740535000)
Dimensions
2-D - Unframed (H x W): 180.3 x 215.9cm (71 x 85 in.)
Materials
Overall: Linen
Inventory Number
A19740535000
Credit Line
Donated by Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle (USAF, Ret.)
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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