Air Races Memorabilia Appraisal

2005 Reno National Championship Air Races 'Reach for the Stars' Signed Poster

This item is a framed poster commemorating the 42nd Annual Reno National Championship Air Races and Air Show, held from September 14-18, 2005. The poster's central image depicts two propeller-driven aircraft in flight against a deep blue sky, one painted in red and the other with a metallic, possibly silver or gold, finish, suggesting action and movement with stylized propeller blurs. The title, 'Reach for the Stars,' is prominently displayed at the bottom in a bold, stylized serif font, alongside the event details and dates. Several corporate sponsors are listed at the bottom right, including 'BREITLING' and 'SCOLARI'S.' The most distinctive feature of this poster is the extensive collection of handwritten signatures covering nearly the entire surface, both on the blue sky portion and the lighter-colored lower section. Based on the provided context, these signatures belong to every pilot who flew at the 2006 (though the poster itself states 2005) air races. The poster is encased in a simple, likely wooden, frame with a metallic gold finish, indicating it has been preserved. The frame appears to be in good condition with minor scuffs consistent with display and handling. The colors of the poster appear vibrant, and there are no immediately visible signs of significant creasing, tearing, or water damage to the poster itself. The clarity of the signatures suggests they were applied with permanent marker, adding both artistic and historical value to the piece. The overall craftsmanship points to a commercially produced poster, enhanced significantly by the unique collection of autographs.