|
| "IF WE FIGHT JAPAN - WHICH GOD GRANT - WE WILL BE BEATEN TO A PULP"201. GEORGE S. PATTON JR. (1895-1945). Celebrated Lt. General of the Army, one of the finest tank commanders ever, who advanced to full general (1945) after he led the Third Army at Normandy and through France. Controversial throughout his career, his toughness on his enemies as well as his own troops earned him the name "Old Blood and Guts." Superb content early ALS, 4pp with integral leaf, 51/2"x7", West Point, Jan 24, 1909. On West Point letterhead to his mother regarding his class trip to the Watervliet Arsenal, the principal Federal manufacturer of large caliber cannon. In part: "We had a hell of a trip yesterday up to Water Vliet Arsenal at Albany...But we saw a lot and learned above all things how much it costs to kill a man. They have machines so big they are hard to describe, laithes two hundred feet long out turning like a carriage wheel as far as ease of motion is concerned. Yet there was a sad thing in connection with it too. We have not got manned enough field guns by half to fight a battle like Sedan [probably referencing the 1870 battle that practically decided the Franco-Prussian War in favor of Prussia]. We have not got organized a single siege battery and yet the straps were hardly working to one fourth their capacity. If we fight Japan - which God grant - we will be beaten to a pulp until this great and glorious bunch of grafting politicians are all hung and the Army gets what it should, we have not got enough men to police N.Y. state much less enter a war..." He then rails against the "Crozier Elimination bill...to stop counting cadet service in elementary..." Patton laments, "If we don't have a war and a big one pretty damned soon the army won't be a fit place for any man to stay. Bea[trice] is in Va. now but she is coming up here next Sunday God willing, so there is yet some use in living but not much as I did not get a letter today though it was because both came yesterday..." Darkly penned and signed the year he graduated, receiving a cavalry officer's commission, and one year before he married his longtime sweetheart Beatrice Ayre. Original mailing folds; else Fine. The frustrated young warrior would have to wait until 1916 for war and glory when he accompanied General Pershing in the Mexican Expedition and into France during World War I. Est: $5000-7500
|
|
| 202. GEORGE S. PATTON JR. Signed war-date free franked envelope from the War Department addressed to his former housekeeper in Langres, Mrs. Suzanne Miner, now in Philadelphia. Darkly penned at bottom right corner: "Commd. G. S. Patton Jr. Lt. Gen." Postmarked Jul 22, 1943. General light toning; small tear at left edge with no paper loss; small paper loss at top edge; light wear; else VG with strong signature area. Est: $350-550
|
|
| 203. GEORGE S. PATTON JR. Darkly penciled signature, "G. S. Patton Jr." on paper slip, 51/4"x3". General age toning, slightly uneven along edges from previous framing; else near Fine. Est: $300-500
|
|
| NELSON REFERENCES BATTLES OF CAPE ST. VINCENT & CAMPERDOWN204. HORATIO NELSON 1st Viscount Nelson (1758-1805). Famed British admiral who defeated the French fleet in the Battle of the Nile (1798), thus ending Napoleon's attempt to conquer Egypt, and destroyed French and Spanish naval forces at Trafalgar (1805), where he was mortally wounded. LS, 1p, 71/4"x81/2", Bond St.,[London], Nov 13, [1797]. Writing to unknown correspondent regarding his dedicatory plans. In part: "I have seen Lady Spencer [wife of First Lord of the Admiralty] and she says she has no objection to have the dedication to her concerning the 14th Feby. if I like it but she is apprehensive it wou'd not be so much to your advantage as you might expect. As to the one concerning Ld. Duncan's action - that is out of the question - therefore it is for your consideration, under all circumstances whether you chuse [sic] to dedicate one to her Ladyship or both to the King - wishing you ev'ry success..." Large rare signature as "Horatio Nelson" darkly penned with his left hand during recovery subsequent to the loss of his right arm in Santa Cruz de Tenerife action in July 1797. Of historical note, his reference to Feb 14 is no doubt concerning the British fleet's victory at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent where he played a decisive role and was promoted to rear admiral and made Knight of the Bath. Admiral Adam Duncan commanded the Venerable at the important naval Battle of Camperdown over the Dutch in the North Sea Oct 11 that same year, for which Duncan was immediately made 1st Viscount. On hearing of the victory Nelson had exclaimed that he would have given his other arm to have been present. General even toning; vertical center separation with minimal paper loss; diagonal separation at top left border with no paper loss; small manuscript notation laid to top border relating letter was signed after amputation and concerning the letter's gift by B. Orme to J. Everett in 1821. A rare letter with full signature and important naval associations. Mounted. Contained within window mat under plexiglass within attractive antique gilt frame. Overall 15"x161/2". Est: $3000-5000
|
|
| 205. STEPHEN DECATUR (1779-1820). American naval officer known for his heroic deeds in the war with Tripoli; commanded the frigate United States during the War of 1812, and later skirmished with the Barbary pirates, forcing peace on American terms with Algeria. Decatur was killed in a duel with James Barron. Uncommon free franked address panel of integral leaf postmarked at Washington City. Signed "S. Decatur" above postmark. Stamped Free at right margin. Addressed to Thos. Willing Esq. in Philadelphia. Light general toning; light dampstain above address panel; else Fine. Thomas Willing (1731-1821) had been a member of the Continental Congress, mayor of Philadelphia and president of the Bank of North America (1781-92) and the first president of the Bank of the United States (1791-1811). It is probable it was during this last tenure that Decatur had communicated with him as Navy Commissioner. Accompanied by very nice steel engraving of the naval hero. Est: $500-750
|
|
| 206. MIDDLE EASTERN FLINTLOCK PISTOL Ornate nineteenth century Middle Eastern flintlock with carved wood stock, engraved bronze butt plate with decorated grip, trigger guard and finial with engraved brass muzzle fitting and nonfunctioning ramrod with decorative mounts. Features a 101/4" barrel with carved wood furniture, overall 171/4" in length. Fair condition. Est: $400-800
|
|
| 207. LOUIS-ALEXANDRE BERTHIER (1753-1815). Marshall of France who served under Lafayette in the American Revolution, and with Napoleon in Italy and Egypt. LS as Minister of War in French, 1p, 71/4"x91/4", Paris, [ca. 1804]. On his official letterhead with French Republic engraving at top center. Untranslated. Regarding military placements. Darkly signed during that period when Bonaparte overthrew the government of the Directory to replace it with the Consulate. Scattered light foxing, though text remains dark with strong signature; else VG/Fine. Tipped at left edge to heavy album paper. Est: $100-250
|
|
| 208. GEORGE DEWEY (1837-1917). American Admiral; naval officer who served under Farragut in the Civil War; later became a hero when he destroyed the Spanish squadron in Manila Bay during Spanish-American War. TLS, 1p, 8"x101/2", Washington DC, Dec 2, 1907. On his Navy Department, Admiral of the Navy letterhead to Col. Augustus S. Nicholson, USMC, regarding his long service. In part: "I have carefully gone over the papers which you sent to me and I heartily concur with you in thinking that your long and honorable service in the Marine Corps entitles you to recognition. From my own knowledge for the past forty years I can testify to the excellent work you have done...it surely seems but just that you should receive the same consideration from Congress which has been accorded to others with much less years of service..." Darkly signed. Mailing folds, one bisecting second initial; else Fine. Accompanied by original transmittal envelope, apparently delivered by hand. Retired in 1894, Col. Nicholson participated in the Battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican War and was later Adjutant and Inspector of the Marine Corps, briefly Acting Commandant for a period during the Civil War in 1864. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 209. GEORGE DEWEY Darkly penned signature above "Manila 20 Oct. 1898," 31/4"x23/4". Light general toning with negligible foxing; small printed segment of paper laid to top right edge well away from signature; else near Fine. Matted beneath 4"x51/4" quarter-length portrait in uniform. Overall 71/4"x111/2". Est: $100-200
|
|
| 210. JOHN A. LEJEUNE (1867-1942). Major general commandant of the US Marine Corps (1920-29); distinguished commander of Second Division in WW I; eponym of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. ALS, 4pp, 5"x8", Marine Barracks, Norfolk, VA, Mar 11, 1894. The first lieutenant writes to his mother during barracks duty between naval assignments. Lamenting the condition of his aunt, he fears "her mind is permanently gone..." He continues that he has arranged for adjoining rooms at the boarding house where he is staying for his mother and sister in preparation for their visit: "...The old Crawford House is a dingy looking old place both outside and in but Miss Land has been very kind to me, and the fare is good enough, better I think than at most boarding houses. The Atlanta will go in commission on April 2nd. Lieut. Fuller has been ordered as her Marine officer. I half way expected to go to her for a long time, until I found out some time ago that my cruise was completed and that I have three years ashore ahead of me..." Darkly penned and signed. Light general toning; else Fine. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 211. [WORLD WAR I SONGSHEETS] Collection of four vintage wartime songsheets, 101/2"x133/4", 1917 & 1918. Each features colorful patriotic WW I theme cover art. Included is a march entitled "The Battle Song of Liberty" by Bigelow and Yellen "Dedicated to the United States Army and Navy"; plus "It's A Long Way to Berlin (But We'll Get There)" by Fields and Flatow; "After the War Is Over" by Woodruff and Pourmon/Sterling; and "We'll Lick The Kaiser If It Takes Us Twenty Years" by Grosvenor. On verso is imprint of a passage from President Wilson's "War Message" to Congress, Apr 2, 1917. All evidence some wear with small paper loss at corner tip or edges; occasional edge tears; light toning or soiling; one with light dampstain at edge; two with 1918 inscriptions. In overall Fair/Good condition. Est: $120-250
|
|
| 212. JAMES GUTHRIE HARBORD (1866-1947). Rose from the rank of private in the US Army to lieutenant general and Pershing's second in command during WW I. Postwar president and CEO of Radio Corporation of America. TLS "J.G. Harbord," 1p, 81/2"x11", New York, Jan 29, 1927. On Radio Corporation of America letterhead to David Robinson, secretary of the Grover Cleveland Association "regarding the broadcasting of the speeches at the Grover Cleveland 90th Anniversary Dinner," advising him that he has forwarded the request to NBC President M. H. Aylesworth for his consideration, concluding, "...I should think that the quality of the program would appeal to him, as it does to me..." Thin vertical tear at top right edge with very little paper loss; mailing folds; light general toning; else near Fine. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 213. PAUL VON HINDENBURG (1847-1934), German field marshal in WW I. As second president of the Weimar Republic (1925-1934), he reluctantly appointed Adolf Hitler as chancellor in 1933. Signed bust sketch of the president in civilian attire on art paper, 91/4"x141/2". Signed as "von Hindenberg" beneath image and by the artist. Identified at left edge. Single horizontal fold near center; couple minor wrinkles; else VG/Fine. Loosely matted to overall 16"x12". Est: $200-450
|
|
| 214. EDDIE RICKENBACKER (1890-1973). Foremost American ace fighter pilot in World War I and winner of Congressional Medal of Honor. His autobiography, Rickenbacker, 458pp, 61/4"x91/4", Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, 1967. Seventh printing. Darkly signed on first front endpaper, adding "1968." Book in Fine condition. Dust jacket evidences tiny chipping at spine and corner tear at back corner with very small paper loss; else VG+. Est: $150-300
|
|
| 215. JOHN W. THOMASON JR. (1893-1944). Decorated American Marine officer serving in WW I, assigned to Admiral Chester Nimitz's staff as an inspector of Marine installations and visited Guadalcanal during the fighting. As author and artist, he illustrated many of his own books including Fix Bayonets (1926) and Salt Winds and Gobi Dust (1934). His book, Red Pants, 246pp, 6"x81/2", Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1927. First Edition. Illustrated. Inscribed and signed on first free endpaper, "To Hon. Hamilton Jordan..." Adding, "Washington 1927." Dust jacket lacking. Blue cloth binding with black illustration and gilt lettering to cover and spine. Scattered stains to spine; internal light general toning; hinges a little loose; else clean and tight. Est: $80-160
|
|
| 216. WW I ERA NAVAL ARCHIVE Interesting collection of 23 DsS and TLsS, 1891-1921, by early 20th century Navy secretaries, commandants and ships commanders belonging to Rear Admiral GEORGE E. BURD who was awarded the Navy Cross in performance of his duty as Industrial Manager of the Navy Yard in New York during World War I. The archive documents his career as an Assistant Engineer to Rear Admiral. As Assistant Engineer, Burd receives orders from naval officers to report for duty aboard various ships including the Steamer Passaic and the Shenandoah, most docketed by Burd. Also DS by Navy Secretary WILLIAM COLLINS WHITNEY (1841-1904) in first Cleveland Administration, ordering him to the Boston Navy Yard. Six TLsS on Navy Department letterhead, four signed by Navy Secretary under President McKinley JOHN D. LONG (1838-1915) and two signed by his acting secretary, one ordering him to New York Navy Yard "for duty as a member of the Board of Inspection..." Most are orders for service or detachments from the USS Badger, and Vermont as chief engineer with rank of lieutenant, with endorsements on verso docketed by various captains, commanders and rear admirals. In 1910 he is ordered by the acting secretary as senior member of a board "to convene at Bridgeport, Conn...for the purpose of submitting to the Department a report as to the adequacy of the plant equipment and organization of the Lake Torpedo Boat Company at that place, to construct submarine torpedo boat No. 31" [probably the USS Turbot] and return to New York. This company was owned by noted naval architect and inventor Simon Lake who built 24 submarines for the Navy during World War I. Captain Burd dockets the letter on verso as having visited the "Works of the Lake Torpedo Boat Company..." along with two retired rear admirals. Also present are six TLsS by President Wilson's Navy Secretary JOSEPHUS DANIELS (1862-1948) and one unsigned carbon to Burd as Industrial Manager of the NY Navy Yard regarding routine departmental matters. Also a TLS by Congressman FREDERICK C. HICKS of Long Island to Captain Burd, Feb 8, 1918. On Congressional letterhead regarding a civilian who was employed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard who "was discharged early in December and no reason given for the same. He also informs me that the heads of the Departments were pleased with his services, and the only reason they can assume for this discharge is that some one accused him of being pro-German. I am informed that Mr. Olsen is a Norwegian by birth. Is it possible for him to obtain a hearing..." In an attached unsigned reply, Burd states that "this man was discharged by order of the Commandant for military reasons which it is not considered advisable to disclose." Lastly, a TLS by D. W. TAYLOR on Navy Department Bureau of Construction and Repair letterhead, Apr 20, 1921, mentioning Assistant Navy Secretary Franklin Roosevelt. Congratulating Rear Admiral Burd on his retirement, Taylor continues in part: "...Am sorry that I cannot tell you anything about your relief, but I have heard nothing at all in connection with it. Apparently Mr. Roosevelt is going to handle all Navy Yard matters. He left Washington Monday night to visit the Fleet, and I believe he expects to visit the Navy Yards in May..." General light age toning; else VG/Fine condition. Est: $150-400
|
|
| 217. [WW I MARINE CORPS BADGE] WW I era US Marine Corps Eagle, Globe and Anchor insignia badge, intact with screw device on reverse. Excellent condition. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 218. CHESTER W. NIMITZ (1885-1966). Admiral, USN; commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet; signed the Japanese surrender document on behalf of the United States. Reproduced oversize ISP with sentiment, b/w matte, image 83/4"x61/4", overall 131/2"x11" portrait of Nimitz seated at the table during Japanese Surrender ceremonies aboard the USS Missouri ending the war in the Pacific. Darkly inscribed and signed as "C.W. Nimitz, Fleet Admiral, USN." He has signed a second time in light area of desk, adding "U.S. Representative." Fine. Loosely mounted to overall 16"x12". Est: $1000-1600
|
|
| 219. DOUGLAS MACARTHUR (1880-1964). American general and Allied Supreme Commander in the Pacific in World War II; Supreme Commander of UN forces in Korea fired by President Truman for insubordination. War-date TLS, 1p, 8"x101/2", Mar 27, 1945. On his General Headquarters Southwest Pacific Area letterhead to a soldier's bereaved mother: "My deepest sympathy goes to you in the death of your son, Private First Class Hiram E. Wooster. Your consolation for his loss may be that he died in the service of his country in a just cause and for the benefit of all. Very faithfully...." Boldly signed. Light wrinkling; minor toning along folds; else Fine. Est: $500-700
|
|
| 220. DOUGLAS MACARTHUR Framed printed magazine profile portrait in uniform, color, 6"x61/2". Mounted within stiff mat board frame, overall 81/4"x91/2". Darkly signed at bottom frame in black fountain pen beneath sentiment, "Best wishes..." Annotated on verso as having been obtained in New York in Oct 1955. Mat evidences light general toning; and small crimp at left edge; else near Fine with strong signature area. Est: $300-600
|
|
| 221. DOUGLAS MACARTHUR TLS, 1p, 8"x101/2", New York, Mar 30, 1955. The elder general responds to an admirer who has sent him a penny minted the year he was born. "Thank you so much for your cordial birthday greeting with the 1880 Penny. It was thoughtful of you to write me as you have and I appreciate it more than I can say..." Darkly signed in blue ink. Tiny stain at top edge; minor toning; else a Fine example. Est: $150-300
|
|
| 222. DOUGLAS MACARTHUR Block of four US commemorative stamps illustrating the island of Corregidor, General MacArthur's headquarters and the temporary location of the Philippine Government which fell to the Japanese in 1942 and where the general fulfilled his promise to return in 1945. Darkly signed in black ink on blank border of stamp block. Mounted beneath b/w 73/4"x91/2" close-up of MacArthur and other members of his party, with brass name plaque beneath. Attractively contained under archival glass within simple black frame. Overall 12"x19". Est: $200-300
|
|
| 223. DOUGLAS MACARTHUR Large darkly penned signature on paper slip, 51/2"x21/2", in black ink. Some show-through of mounting residue on verso; tiny hole above last name; else VG. Est: $150-250
|
|
| 224. [JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG] Series of trials held at Nuremberg, Germany, for the prosecution of political and military leaders of Nazi Germany that came to be known as the Nuremberg Trials. Desirable collection of 15 trial related autographs and memorabilia, including 12 SPs, signed FDCs, and signatures of prominent members of the Prosecution. Included are three unsigned FDCs with cache "Commemorating The Guilty of World War 2," listing the major war criminals found guilty by the court. Postmarked at Kennedy, AL, Sep 30, 1946; ISP, b/w, 10"x8" portrait seated with others at the trial signed by General LUCIUS D. CLAY plus transmittal TLS; Supreme Court Justice ROBERT H. JACKSON, chief prosecutor at the Trials, signs a 5"x3" card accompanied by printed image delivering opening statements at the Trials; British chief prosecutor Sir HARTLEY SHAWCROSS signs 53/4"x31/2" card beneath lengthy sentiment, accompanied by printed image at the Trials in 1945 and small image in later years; US General TELFORD TAYLOR, prosecutor of the High Command case and later chief prosecutor at subsequent trials has signed a postal cover commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the Liberation and the landing of the Allies at Normandy, postmarked at Washington, DC on Jun 6, 1979, loosely mounted beneath printed images of the court room and General Taylor; FDC with cachet commemorating George Washington is signed by Dr. MORRIS ABRAM, member of the American prosecuting team; vintage signed 5"x3" card by Attorney General FRANCIS BIDDLE who served as chief US prosecutor at the Trials, loosely mounted with printed image; signed autograph card by Sir GEOFFREY LAWRENCE, who as president of the Trials pronounced the sentences against the Nazi war criminals, loosely mounted with printed photo and a printed listing of the criminals, verdicts received by each and sentences pronounced; A.C. IVY signs vintage album leaf as "...Special Consultant to the Secretary of War at the Nürnberg Trials, April 26, 1947." Loosely mounted beneath printed image of the defendants rising to hear their sentences; partial ALS penned and signed by English judge at the Trials NORMAN BIRKETT, 5"x41/2", apparently to an old friend alluding to an event "so long ago" and future plans to entertain him at Derby. Irregular top edge where removed from larger letter. Accompanying printed image is a view of Birkett seated at the trials. Also, chief US prosecuting Counsel at Trials THOMAS J. DODD has signed imprinted 5"x3" card as US senator, unevenly toned, accompanied by printed quarter-length portrait; Judge CURTIS G. SHAKE, executive presiding justice, has signed and completed a personal bank check, drawn on the American National Bank, Vincennes, Sep 28, 1970, with accompanying printed color image of the justices during the trial; and lastly a DS in Russian by chief of the Russian Delegation at Nuremberg ANDREI VYSHINSKY, 2pp on single leaf, 81/4"x6", 1942. Untranslated. He had been Stalin's chief prosecutor during the purges. Each of the autographs is loosely mounted to attractive colorful presentation mats with descriptive information and printed images. Fine with noted exceptions. Est: $300-500
|
|
| 225. [BATTLE OF BASTOGNE] Colorful reproduced map depicting the Allied and German positions at the Battle of Bastogne, a siege around the Belgian town of Bastogne from mid-December to January during the Battle of the Bulge. Darkly signed by HARRY W. O. KINNARD, Lieut. General, 101st Airborne, aide to General Anthony McAuliffe, who first suggested to his commander that he use his original verbal reaction "Nuts" in his formal reply to the German surrender ultimatum. Kinnard later commanded the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 226. [BATTLE OF BRITAIN] Royal Air Force flown cover commemorating the 31st Anniversary of the Battle of Britain with color cachet featuring the Supermarine Spitfire MK. Postmarked Sep 18, 1971. Signed by the top RAF fighter ace JOHNNIE JOHNSON (1915-2001) with 38 victories; and top German ace ADOLF GALLAND (1912-1996) with 104 victories on the Western Front. Each has boldly signed in ink. Fine uncommon example. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 227. GREGORY "PAPPY" BOYINGTON (1912-1988). Colorful air ace in the Pacific during World War II; member of the Flying Tigers; leader of the Black Sheep Squadron which received much acclaim at Guadalcanal; winner of Congressional Medal of Honor. His book, Baa Baa Black Sheep, 384pp, 6"x83/4", Wilson Press, Inc., Fresno, CA, 1958. Seventeenth printing. Boldly inscribed and signed on half-title page, "To Jim Walker - With Black Sheep One's Best - Always - Pappy Boyington," adding date above inscription, "July 19, 1974." Personal library blindstamp on title page. Book in Fine condition; dust jacket VG with light edgewear and minor chipping at top spine; price point clipped. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 228. GREGORY "PAPPY" BOYINGTON His book, Baa Baa Black Sheep, 384pp, 384pp, 6"x83/4", G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1958. First Edition. Tenth impression. Boldly signed on half-title page as "Col. Greg 'Pappy' Boyington" in blue ink. Light shelfwear to spine and corner tips; owner's name penned on verso of first free endpaper; else VG+. Dust jacket in Fair condition with some paper loss at top and bottom spine; wear to extremities with small tears; dampstains to back edge; and soiling to back cover. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 229. [AMERICAN COMBAT PILOT LUMINARIES] Four of America's best-known combat pilots of both World Wars. A commemorative United Nations postal cover bearing two postmarks: Ace, TX, Apr 6, 1967 and Flying H, NM, Apr 18, 1967. Signed by General JAMES H. DOOLITTLE as "J. H. Doolittle"; CAPT. EDDIE RICKENBACKER, adding "1967"; PAUL W. TIBBETS, pilot of the Enola Gay which dropped the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima; and CHARLES W. SWEENEY, "Pilot Bockscar Nagasaki 4 Aug '45." All darkly penned in various shades of blue ink. Affixed are three commemorative stamps and two featuring the images of President Woodrow Wilson during WW I and Franklin Roosevelt who saw the nation through WW II. Unusual combination. Est: $300-500
|
|
| 230. OMAR N. BRADLEY (1893-1981). Lieutenant general, 12th Army Group; senior commander of US ground troops in invasion of Europe in 1944; chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff after 1949. Signed ROTC card, 31/2"x3", stamped with member's name and college affiliation at Eastern Michigan University. Darkly penned in black at bottom margin together with signature of his second wife KITTY BRADLEY at right margin. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 231. OMAR N. BRADLEY Darkly signed clipped signature over embossed "Washington," 51/2"x13/4". Partial paper clip stain at top margin; else near Fine. Accompanied by letter of transmittal, Oct 1, 1953, on his "General of the Army" letterhead signed by Assistant to General Bradley Col. R. J. McDuff. Est: $80-160
|
|
| 232. CLIFTON B. CATES (1893-1970). USMC general; 19th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (1948-51); much decorated for his gallantry during World War I at Belleau Wood; honored for leadership at Guadalcanal, Tinian and Iwo Jima. Oversize ISP, b/w, 11"x14" quarter-length portrait in uniform. Darkly signed in black ink, "To 'Harry' - With best wishes, C. B. Cates." Two stains at left margin away from signature; light corner tip bends; couple border tears with no paper loss; else VG with strong signature area. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 233. CLAIRE L. CHENNAULT (1890-1958). Air Force Major general who originated the use of paratroopers during World War I; aviation adviser to Chiang Kai-shek; organized the "Flying Tigers," famous for defending the Burma Road; WW II commander of China ATF and 14th USAF. War-date commemorative cover honoring "American War Leaders" featuring his image at left. Postmarked at Wichita, KS, Mar 11, 1944. Darkly signed "C. L. Chennault" in blue fountain pen beside his image. Small typed address label at right margin. Light general toning with small slightly darker area; else Fine. Est: $200-300
|
|
| 234. JAMES H. DOOLITTLE (1896-1993). American aviator, the first pilot to fly across the US in less than a day (1922). An Army Air Force Lieutenant General, he led the first US air raid on Japan during World War II for which he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Early magazine photograph, b/w, 21/2"x3" photo still of the young aviator standing in front of his airplane in civilian attire. Affixed to card stock, 51/2"x91/2". Darkly signed in green ink "J. H. Doolittle" beneath image. Couple minor dampstains at top edge; small strip of clear mounting tape at top edge; small stain at bottom edge, all easily matted out; else near Fine with a large strong signature area. Est: $60-120
|
|
| 235. JAMES H. DOOLITTLE ISP [Jim Sloan], b/w matte, 8"x10" quarter-length portrait in uniform. Darkly signed in blue fountain pen beside image "To Harry Broderson: With every good wish, J. H. Doolittle." Mutual of Omaha imprint at bottom image. Fine. Est: $60-120
|
|
| 236. JAMES H. DOOLITTLE ISP [Jim Sloan], b/w matte, 5"x7" quarter-length portrait in uniform. Darkly signed in blue fountain pen beside image "To Steve Juscik: With every good wish, J. H. Doolittle." Mutual of Omaha imprint at bottom image. Fine. Est: $50-100
|
|
| "JIMMY LEADS THE WAY"237. [DOOLITTLE RAIDERS] Pilots who flew in the celebrated raid led by General Jimmy Doolittle on Apr 18, 1942, when 16 B-25 twin engine bombers took off from the deck of the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet to bomb Tokyo. Excellent Brown and Bigelow 1994 art print of an original painting, overall 12"x16", by Colonel C. Ross Greening, pilot of the eleventh plane, who executed the original while in a prison camp in Barth, Germany, having been shot down leading a raid against Naples, Italy. Titled Jimmy Leads the Way, General Doolittle's plane is depicted as it leaves the deck of the Hornet with the other 15 planes waiting to follow. Signed in dark pencil at bottom border by 24 of the Raiders: J. R. STARK; CHARLES J. OZUK; R. E. COLE; BOB BONYER; TOM GRIFFIN; H. A. SESSLER; EDWIN HORTON; DAVE POHL; JAMES H. MACIA JR.; FRANK A. KAPPELER; HARRY C. MCCOOL; BILL BOWER; CLAYTON CAMPBELL; TRAVIS HOOVER; BERT JORDAN; HANK POTTER; JAKE DESHAZER; JACK A. SIMS; E. W. HOLSTROM; C. MCCLURE; R. L. HITE; G. P. WILLIAMS; JOE MANSKE; and one other. Hite and DeShazer were captured in China by the Japanese and survived torture during their imprisonment until 1945. Loosely matted beside a printed self-portrait of Col. Greening and a brief biography. Overall 24"x18". Est: $600-900
|
|
| 238. [DOOLITTLE RAIDERS] Large sheet with laser print portrait of the pilots including General Doolittle at top portion with Doolittle Raiders insignia, 9"x71/2", signed by 22 of the pilots, each adding their flight position and crew number or other pertinent information. J. R. STARK; CHARLES J. OZUK; WILLIAM L. BIRCH; A. E. COLE; ROBERT BONYER; TOM GRIFFIN; EDWARD J. SAYLOR; DEAN DAVENPORT; HORACE CROUCH; H. A. SESSLER; DAVY JONES; EDWIN HORTON; DAVE POHL; NOLAN A. HERNDON; DAVID J. THATCHER; JAMES H. MACIA JR.; FRANK A. KAPPELER; H. G. MCCOOL; BILL BOWER; CLAYTON J. CAMPBELL; and CHASE J. NIELSON, one of those captured in China and tortured by the Japanese. Overall 14"x191/4". Est: $300-500
|
|
| 239. [DOOLITTLE RAIDERS] Printed color copy of dust jacket cover of General Jimmy Doolittle's biography I Could Never Be So Lucky Again on left portion of white sheet, overall 14"x81/2". Boldly signed in the remaining space by eleven members who participated in the famous raid. Among them are CHARLES J. OZUK "Crew #3 Plane 40-2270"; J. R. STORK "CoPilot Crew #10 Tokyo Raid 4-18-42"; DAVID J. THATCHER "Crew 7 Engineer Gunner on the 'Ruptured Duck'," who begins signature a second time after false start; DAVEY JONES "Pilot Crew #5 Doolittle Tokyo Raid 18 April 1942"; DAVE POHL "Tokyo Raid Gunner B25 #8"; NOLAN A. HERNDON "Nav. Bom. Crew #8 Doolittle Raider"; EDWIN W. HORTON "...Gunner Crew #10"; FRANK A KAPPELER "Navigator Crew 11 Doolittle Tokyo Raid 18 April 1942"; JAMES H MACIA, JR "Navigator-Bombardier Crew #14"; H. A. SESSLER "Bomb-Nav Plane #15"; and EDWARD J. SAYLOR "Lt. Col. USAF Crew 15". All darkly penned. Occasional minor ink skipping; else near Fine. Loosely matted to overall 16"x12". Est: $100-250
|
|
| 240. [DOOLITTLE'S RAIDERS] Set of four 50th Anniversary commemorative postal covers honoring those who died at Pearl Harbor with cache image of the sinking USS Arizona. Darkly signed in ink by surviving members of those who participated in the Doolittle Raid at their 1992 reunion in Columbia, SC. Among them are RICHARD E. COLE (3); JAKE DESHAZER (3); DAVID M. JONES (3); DAVID W. POHL (3); WILLIAM M. BOWER (3); GRIFFITH P. WILLIAMS (2); THOMAS C. GRIFFIN (2); TUNG-SHENG LIU (2); NOLAN A. HERNDON (2) JACK A. SIMS (2); FRANK A. KAPPLER (2); DEAN DAVENPORT; BERT M. JORDAN; TRAVIS HOOVER; and HORACE E. CROUCH. Fine examples. Est: $100-250
|
|
| POSTWAR DISCUSSION ON NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT AND "OPERATION CROSSROADS"241. [ATOMIC BOMB ARCHIVE] Important historic collection of five 1946 manuscripts, a TDS by American physicist and Nobel Laureate ISIDOR ISAAC RABI (1898-1988); a TLS by physicist EDWARD TELLER (1908-2003), five photographs [one multiply signed], and related printed material comprising two pamphlets, three leaflets, a Christmas card, and a souvenir book; 192 pages, various sizes, 1872 to 1980 and undated. Excellent historical research material regarding the development and testing of the atomic bomb, primarily after World War II, and including papers on Joint Army Task Force One's "Operation Crossroads" - the atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll, when the USS Panamint served as the floating headquarters for congressional, scientific and United Nations observers. Typed manuscripts, unsigned, include reports by Patrick Maitland, 17th Earl of Lauderdale (b. 1911), a war correspondent during WW II, entering British politics postwar. Two reports on his letterhead as editor of the The Fleet Street Letter, an agency for political and diplomatic news. Jun 19, 1946: Concerning the creation of an international organization for atomic energy development, discussion of the American proposal of an International Atomic Energy Authority at urgent meetings of the Nuclear Energy Committee composed of members of the British cabinet and physicists, the report to be submitted to the UN after approval of the full cabinet. In part: "...In broad outline Cabinet Ministers welcome the American proposal, especially the suggestion, which Ministers regard as vital that the Big Five veto provision in the Security Council shall be annulled in respect of sanctions against any nation offending the International Authority. But a number of obscure points in the American proposal first require elucidation, British experts think. The first is the elaboration of stages at which atomic energy 'know-how' shall be surrendered to the Authority. Another would be the type of sanctions which could effectively be employed to rescue an atomic energy plant from seizure by a national authority. This is a highly complex military problem and would not necessarily be settled by the aerial use of atomic weapons themselves. A third portent which, in the preliminary view of the British experts, needs careful exploration, is the method of inspection and control of atomic energy plants and the means of ensuring that knowledge of the location of fissionable materials is not withheld from the Authority. Soviet reactions to the American proposal have been virtually nothing. All that the Russian public has so far been allowed to know is contained in the following Tass Agency report of Mr. Baruch's speech: 'The US Delegate Baruch expounded the proposal of the USA on the creation of an international organization for control of the possible kinds of activities in the sphere of atomic energy development.' Nothing is yet said in Russia about the American offer to destroy all atomic bombs hitherto made nor about the proposal to eliminate the veto and institute inspection backed by immediate sanctions." A second report by Maitland in the wake of the growing Cold War, Jul 1, 1946, highlights the Soviet Union's interest in atomic research and development. Maitland relates international nuclear development and the discovery of the disintegration of uranium by the Soviet Union for which Dr. Zhdanov, head of the Radium Institute of the USSR, had been awarded the Second Stalin Prize. Highly publicized in the USSR, the discovery "is stated to relate to splitting nuclei of bromium and silver...At the same time persistent attempts have been made to suggest that the manufacture of the atom bomb is of minor importance. Thus Maj. Gen. Galaktionov, Military Correspondent of Pravda, wrote some weeks ago that atom bomb theories of war were the same as Hitler's blitzkrieg theory and meant a false evaluation of military factors. Prof. Pokrovsky declared in the Red Army Hour over Moscow Radio a week ago that the Japanese war could have been won equally easily without the Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombs. The latest edition of the 'Agitator's Notebook', published by the Propaganda Section of the Moscow Communist Party, asserts that atom bombs are useless against armies in the field. At the same time Soviet comment on the Baruch proposal is uniformly unfavourable..." A third report copy, undated, suggests that Republican Senator Vandenburg, a former isolationist and member of the US Delegation to the UN, first voiced anxiety about the proposed Atomic Energy Commission before Secretary Byrnes left Washington for Moscow and his meeting with Marshal Stalin and Molotoff in which he stated he would give them "an indication of the kind of secrets which America would divulge in due course" and to "give the Marshal incomplete information on one or two technical aspects of the Anglo-American-Canadian discoveries" but without enough to reconstruct the whole. Senator Vandenberg and the rest of the Committee bitterly opposed the project. "It is, however, certain that the Russians have made considerable progress on their own" on spontaneous disintegration of uranium.
Also present is a carbon copy of a Typed Manuscript by Frank Berwick and Royal Navy Commander SIR ALLAN NOBLE (1908-1982), 8pp, single-spaced, 8"x13" Aug 12, 1946, with regard to Operation Crossroads. Titled "Government Observers Atomic Bomb Tests Report" and marked "Confidential" in blue ink at upper left corner. With revisions and corrections in ink, in the hand of Noble. Noble served as adviser to US congressmen and senators on board the USS Panamint observing the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. The first two pages comprise an overview directed to The Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, White Hall. This overview of the project in lieu of technical reports that will be presented by other sources, and their conclusions formed as eyewitnesses, includes an outline of the three-part report. In succeeding paragraphs it summarizes "Organization [of the project]...As an anti-ship weapon...Ship Defence...Radio-activity...Atomic Bombs of the Future...General..." Followed by "Part I: General Narrative" with holograph annotation at conclusion; "Part II The First Text (Bomb to explode in the air)." Also detail of the "Second test (Under-water detonation)"; and "Part III: Remarks Concerning Our Fellow Observers" regarding their impressions of the dynamic between the foreign observers. Plus a Mimeographed Manuscript, 91/4pp, 81/4"x101/2", Summer 1946. Signed on cover page by Commander Noble. Titled "Commander / Joint Army-Navy Task Force One / Presents / Operation Crossroads / Able and Baker Day Tests / Bikini Atoll-Summer 1946." With several penciled revisions and corrections.This report details at length the preparations, personnel; ships involved; and initial results. In very small part, "...It is therefore essential that our designers, tacticians, strategists and medical officers learn as much as possible now regarding the effect of this revolutionary weapon on targets not heretofore exposed to it. Without the information...your military leaders cannot discharge their responsibilities which you have assigned them. To find this information is the objective of Operation Crossroads." Noble describes these tests succinctly and the results of the explosions. "... Only by unleashing the destructive force of atomic energy against an array of ships could the Navy determine the future ship design of modern naval seapower. The...directive...required that the ninety ships anchored in Bikini lagoon be so disposed as to secure graded ship damage ranging from maximum to minimum..These pictures of the descending water columns show the expanding cloud of spray and fog at the base of the column moving outward and covering the ships in the target array. Great quantities of radioactive water from the column descended upon the decks of the nearby vessels, and ship hulls a mile away were drenched by the wall of foaming water. This wall of lethal spray and fog eventually covered the entire target fleet...Despite the presence of radioactivity, safety patrols immediately entered the lagoon for a preliminary appraisal of the damage. In an effort to reduce dangerous contamination, ships were sprayed with water and special chemicals so that inspection parties could board them. The destroyer Hughes, her hull ruptured by the blast action, was beached on Enyu Island in sinking condition. ...the Japanese battleship Sagato...flooded and capsized five days after the blast. Seven and a half hours after the explosion, the aircraft carrier Saratoga, grand old fighting lady, sank as a result of heavy underwater hull damage... It must be remembered that the primary purpose of the Bikini experiments was to secure precise technical information which will be used to determine necessary changes in the design and construction of all military equipment and especially navy vessels. Only by such means can a defence against the Atomic weapon be organized. We must be fully prepared to protect our national security promptly and effectively in the event that we are attacked. We must defend ourselves against this new and elemental force, or be destroyed by it! This, is crossroads!"
With these manuscripts are included two declassified Joint Task Force One photographs, b/w 10"x8" images of the explosions; plus three b/w 10"x8" group portraits including a) 19 UN official observers on board the USS Panamint signed by 17 of them above or near their images (list included); b)13 UN official observers at the Hotel Whitcomb, 12 of them identified within transcript; and c) a portrait of 37 of the passengers on the USS Panamint gathered at the Hotel Whitcomb. Related printed material include 2 diagrams, 71/2"x101/2", captioned "Schematic Diagram / Target AreaTest Baker / Operation Crossroads." Illustrates the area where the "Bomb will be detonated within this space" and indicating the approx disposition of ships in the target area at Bikini, one annotated "July 25th 1946" with other penned notes. Also Commander Noble's copy of blue buckram bound souvenir book, Panamint Parade "of the Bikini Bums" [USS Panamint, 1946], 81pp, 8"x101/2", containing two foldout maps and numerous illustrations. Signed by Noble on verso of front free endpaper, adding "1946." A unique record of the activities of the United Nations observers, scientists and legislators aboard the USS Panamint during "Operation Crossroads" containing their brief biographies, cartoons and caricatures by Nabor Carrillo, a "Diary of Our Daily Doings," and photographs of their activities.
Plus two unsigned pamphlets: "Atoms. A Lecture...Delivered in the Hulme Town Hall, Manchester, November 20, 1872" by Professor Clifford of Cambridge, 23pp, an offprint from the periodical Science Lectures for the People, Series No. 4, John Heywood, Manchester, 1872. Wraps loose. Also "Nuclear Weapons" published by the Home Office, Scottish Home Department. "Manual of Civil Defence" Pamphlet, Volume I, No. 1. 55pp, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London: 1956. Containing 24 plates of illustrations depicting various nuclear explosions and instruments, and the devastation from atomic bombs at Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and a Nevada test site. The pamphlet discusses the nature of nuclear explosions, fire risk, radiation hazards, and protection against the fallout. Plus a Christmas card sent by journalist Edward Pickering of the Daily Express, Fleet Street, London, ca. 1950s. Editorializing on the illustrated front cover, pictured are six poster-size news billboards lined up against a wall, carrying the headlines: "Evening / Atom Bomb Latest, " "Sunday / Complete List of Wars," "Daily / Crime Waves Everywhere," " Sunday / Taxes May Be Double," "Daily / H Bomb on the Way," "Daily / Merry Xmas to All Our Readers." Other letters: TDS "I. I. Rabi" by physicist Isador Rabi, 1p, 81/2"x11", Oct 30, 1949. Titled "An Opinion on the Development of the 'Super,'" Rabi sets out his reasoning that the United States and other countries should not develop "super" weapons on "fundamental ethical principles," citing the likely end results of such weaponization would far exceed military objectives and have the effect of genocide. He encourages all nations to sign a pledge, explaining: "If such a pledge were accepted even without control machinery, it appears highly probable that an advanced stage of development leading to a test by another power could be detected by available physical means. Furthermore, we have in our possession, in our stockpile of atomic bombs, the means for adequate 'military' retaliation..." TLS by Edward Teller, 1p, 51/2"x81/2", Stanford, CA, Jan 4, 1980. On Hoover Institution "On War, Revolution and Peace" letterhead responding to an admirer's inquiry. In part, "...I enjoy classical music, play the piano for recreation, and especially enjoy Mozart and Bach. I do have some difficulty in appreciating some types of modern art, but do enjoy Chinese pottery and porcelain. As to literature, I am very fond of Shakespeare's works and of Geothe, and enjoy reading a wide variety of books..." Berwick/Noble manuscript evidence general light toning and wear; occasional edge tears with small paper loss away from text. Generally in VG condition. Est: $1500-3000
|
|
| 242. [ATOMIC BOMB] Numbered as one of the Great Events of the 20th Century, and the one that would effectively end World War II, the bomb called "Little Boy" devastated Hiroshima on Aug 6, 1945. Two days later the bombing of Nagasaki completed the desolation. Superbly detailed dark blue scale model of the nuclear bomb, "Little Boy," 93/4" in length. Boldly signed in silver felt tip by two crew members of the B-29 bomber Enola Gay including Pilot PAUL TIBBETS; and DUTCH VAN KIRK, adding "Navigator Enola Gay" The model rests on a black display base. Fine. Est: $500-750
|
|
| 243. [ENOLA GAY] Famed World War II B-29 bomber which dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima Aug 6, 1945. Enlarged poster-size souvenir color reproduction of the Navigator's Log for the flight as kept by Navigator THEODORE 'DUTCH' VAN KIRK (b. 1921), 18"x24" on matboard. The imprinted text by Van Kirk explains in some detail the purpose and data as prepared during the mission, together with a map of the route followed by the Enola Gay from Tinian to its destination. Signed in purple ink at bottom border by pilot PAUL W. TIBBETS (1915-2007); bombardier TOM FEREBEE (1918-2000); and Van Kirk, inscribed and adding date, "9-24-91." Small tape remnant and few tiny stains at right border; else in very good condition. Est: $150-300
|
|
| 244. [ENOLA GAY & BOCKSCAR] Two WW II B-29 bombers who flew first atomic missions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the war. Vintage commemorative Navy FDC with cachet postmarked "U.S. V J" Sep 2, 1945, the day the formal surrender of Japan took place aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Signed by four crewmembers of the Enola Gay and three who were aboard Bockscar. Darkly penned in blue and black ink by PAUL W. TIBBETS; DUTCH VAN KIRK; RICHARD NELSON; and MORRIS R. JEPPSON, two of whom are deceased; and by CHARLES W. SWEENEY; FRED J. OLIVI; and FREDERICK ASHWORTH, all deceased. Fine. Est: $300-500
|
|
| 245. [ENOLA GAY CREW] Members of the famed B-29 bomber crew that dropped first atomic bomb over Hiroshima in August 1945. Signed book, Return Of The Enola Gay by PAUL W. TIBBETS, 331pp, 61/4"x91/4", Mid Coast Marketing, Columbus, OH, 1998. Limited Edition, No. 442/1500. Signed on Limited Edition page by pilot Tibbets (1915-2007); TOM FEREBEE (1918-2000), bombardier; DUTCH VAN KIRK (b. 1921), navigator; and R. H. NELSON (1925-2003), radio operator. Also signed on opposite page beneath wartime photograph of three crewmembers by MORRIS R. JEPPSON (b. 1922), adding "Weapon Test Officer Enola Gay Mission 6 Aug. 1945." Fine condition. Est: $250-450
|
|
| 246. [ENOLA GAY CREW] His book, Flight of the Enola Gay by pilot PAUL W. TIBBETS, 315pp, 6"x9", Buckeye Aviation Book Co., Reynoldsburg, OH, 1989. Bright yellow soft cover First Printing as issued. Signed on frontispiece page by Tibbets, adding "To Larry & Pauline Asmus with very best wishes Wendover 8-24-90." Darkly signed also by THEODORE J. VAN KIRK; THOMAS W. FEREBEE; and MORRIS JEPPSON, adding "Weapon Test Officer Enola Gay Mission 6 Aug. 1945." Fine example. Est: $120-240
|
|
| 247. [ENOLA GAY CREW] SP, b/w, 10"x8" image of the bomber sitting on the tarmac at Tinian Island from which the mission was carried out. Darkly signed in blue felt tip by pilot PAUL TIBBETS (1915-2007); navigator DUTCH VAN KIRK (b. 1921); and weapon officer MORRIS JEPPSON (b. 1922), each adding their title and/or other pertinent information. Some ink transfer above Tibbets' signature; else near Fine. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 248. [ENOLA GAY CREW] Set of five different colorful commemorative postal covers individually celebrating five members of the crew who flew the first atomic bomb mission. Each cover features a color image of the famed B-29 bomber on the tarmac and the US seal with "V" for victory emblem and caption "Mission Accomplished." Beneath each plane image is a descriptive identification of a particular crew member and is signed in white margin by that member. Included are Pilot PAUL TIBBETS; TOM FEREBEE "Bombardier..."; RICHARD H. NELSON "Radio Operator..."; DUTCH VAN KIRK; and MORRIS R. JEPPSON. Fine. Est: $80-160
|
|
| 249. [HIROSHIMA] The site of the first detonation of the atomic bomb on August 6, 1945 by the B-29 bomber Enola Gay. Superb SP, b/w, 8"x10" photograph as the cloud begins to form over the city taken by tailgunner GEORGE R. CARON (1919-1994). Boldly signed by him, adding "Hiroshima 8/6/45"; also PAUL TIBBETS (1915-2007), adding "Pilot - Enola Gay"; TOM FEREBEE (1918-2000) "Bombardier"; and THEODORE J. 'DUTCH' VAN KIRK (b. 1921), "Navigator." Darkly penned. Fine example. Est: $100-250
|
|
| 250. JOE FOSS (1915-2003). Famed fighter ace of World War II, receiving Congressional Medal of Honor for action over Guadalcanal in 1942-43; governor of SD (1955-59); commissioner, American Football League (1960). Signed b/w cover photograph of complete issue of Life, Jun 7, 1943. Darkly penned across quarter-length portrait in uniform wearing MOH, captioned "Captain Foss, U.S.M.C. America's No. 1 Ace," Darkly inscribed and signed, adding sentiment "God Bless you..." Cover neatly separated; accompanied by o/w intact magazine. Minor left edge wear; occasional tiny abrasions. Est: $60-120
|
|
| 251. [HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI MISSIONS] Bombing sites of the first atomic bombs on Aug 6 & 9, 1945. SP, b/w, 8"x10" three-quarter length standing portrait of the pilots who carried out the missions greeting each other. PAUL TIBBETS (1915-2007) of the Enola Gay and CHARLES SWEENEY, of Bockscar (1919-1994) have both boldly signed in blue felt tip, Tibbets adding sentiment. Accompanied by block of unissued commemorative poster stamps. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 3 ATOMIC BOMB MISSION PILOTS252. [HIROSHIMA PILOTS] View of the site of the first detonation of the atomic bomb on August 6, 1945 by the B-29 bomber Enola Gay piloted by Col. PAUL TIBBETTS (1915-2007). Accompanying the Enola Gay was The Great Artiste, the blast measurement instrumentation aircraft, piloted by Maj. CHARLES W. SWEENEY; (1919-1994); and Victor #91, named Necessary Evil after the Nagasaki mission, the camera plane which photographed the explosion and effects of the bomb, also carrying scientific observers. It was flown by pilot Captain GEORGE MARQUARDT (1919-2003). Three days later he flew the Enola Gay beside Bockscar over Nagasaki. A very rare autograph combination, the first we have seen. Est: $150-300
|
|
| 253. [JAPANESE SURRENDER] Colorful commemorative image of the Aug 20, 1945 issue of Time cover featuring a black X over the Rising Sun symbol of Japan, 81/2"x11". Signed on white border by seven crewmembers of the B-29 bombers Enola Gay and Bockscar with significant annotations added by all. Penned by pilot PAUL TIBBETS; copilot FRED OLIVI; weaponeer MORRIS JEPPSON; radioman RICHARD H. NELSON; navigator DUTCH VAN KIRK; pilot CHARLES SWEENEY; and weaponeer FREDERICK ASHWORTH. Fine. Matted to overall 11"x14". Est: $100-250
|
|
| ASSISTED DEVELOPMENT OF ATOMIC BOMB FUZING SYSTEM254. MORRIS JEPPSON (b. 1922). Army 2nd Lieutenant, the weapons test officer aboard the Enola Gay when it dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the last to touch the bomb when he armed it aboard the bomber; physicist. ALS, 2pp, 81/2"x11", n.p., n.d. Jeppson responds to questions from unnamed correspondent regarding his background and the atomic bomb. In small part, "...I was one of 8 Air Force second lieutenants recruited by Los Alamos. We had completed 8 months of training in advanced electronics and radar at Harvard and MIT. We were ordered to Wenderer, Utah to join the 509th Bomb Group. But, we worked for Dr. Edward Doll (PhD Cal Tech)...who was developing the fuzing system, including radar height detection radar, for weapons being developed by Los Alamos...We assisted with development and made test drops of dummy bombs with fuzing systems on targets...Los Alamos personnel were not to know that the Air Force was preparing to use their weapons." Asked if he ever met Dr. Robert Oppenheimer, Jeppson replies, "During work visits to Los Alamos we worked in the Tech Area, but were not permitted (for security reasons) in the laboratories...In May 1945, I believe, before the 509th moved with B29s from Wenderer to Tinian Island...I was told to get on a B29 that was taking a passenger to an Air Force base in Southern California. The sole passenger was Dr. Oppenheimer. This very gracious man was willing to visit with us" and advised young Jeppson to attend the University of California, Berkeley for graduate work in nuclear physics, which he later did. "...Because of very tight security restrictions, neither of us ever mentioned nuclear weapons..." As to regrets regarding the mission, he states: "I have no regrets. For me, the two objectives of ending the war and eliminating an invasion of Japan were realized. Accomplishment of these objective surely prevented much more suffering and loss of lives..." Darkly penned and signed. Fine. Est: $500-800
|
|
| 20,000 ASIAN NONCOMBATANTS DYING PER MONTH255. MORRIS JEPPSON Reproduced SP, image 6"x41/2", overall 11"x81/2" view of the devastation of Hiroshima. Jeppson pens at top border: "As a result of the war, noncombatants were dying throughout Asia at a rate of about 20,000 a month. The atomic bombs hastened the end of WW II in Asia liberating millions in occupied areas, including thousands of Western citizens." Darkly signed at bottom border as "Weapon Test Officer Enola Gay Mission Hiroshima 6 Aug 1945." Fine. Est: $500-800
|
|
| 256. [ENEMIES AT PEARL HARBOR] Commander of the Pacific Fleet Admiral HUSBAND E. KIMMEL (1882-1968) was relieved of command after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor led by Japanese Air Strike Leader Captain MITSUO FUCHIDA (1920-1976) on Dec 7, 1941. Kimmel argued for years that he had not been given sufficient available intelligence to anticipate such an attack. Present is a rare unpublished original SP [Alfred Eisenstadt], sepia-toned, 11"x13" half-length portrait standing before his official portrait taken on Oct 4, 1956 at his home. Inscribed to Life editor Phil Smith and signed in dark blue ink. Backstamped. Occasional bumps and small areas of marginal creasing away from strong image and signature. Attractively matted beneath return address of Fuchida penned in his holograph as "Capt. Mitsuo Fuchida" in Berkley, CA, 23/4"x11/4", and a b/w 31/2"x5" close-up in uniform. Attractively displayed with three descriptive brass plaques and contained under plexiglass within simple black frame. Overall 14"x221/2". Est: $300-500
|
|
| 257. [GUADALCANAL MEDAL OF HONOR ACES] Excellent set of five Marine Corps fighter aces who participated in the Battle of Guadalcanal and were also recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Five colorful FDCs, each honoring one of these aces and signed by him. At left are color cachets with image of the particular type of airplane the aces flew with matching postage stamp, a descriptive identification beneath image, together with color image of the MOH and the head of the American bald eagle beneath. All are postmarked at Dayton, OH on Jul 19, 1997. Signing are four "Ace of Aces" JOE FOSS "CMH 26 Sept 97" with 26 victories; ROBERT E. GALER "CO-VMF 224" with 13 victories; KENNETH A. WALSH "Lt. Col. USMC (Ret.)" with 21; and JIM SWETT "VMF-221" with 15.5; plus JEFFERSON J. DEBLANC with 8 victories. All darkly signed. Fine. Est: $100-250
|
|
| 258. JOHN HERSEY (1914-1993). American Pulitzer Prize winning author and journalist for his book A Bell for Adano (1945) and noted for his work Hiroshima, first published in The New Yorker and then published in book form to much acclaim. His classic book, Hiroshima, 118pp, 51/4"x73/4", Borzoi Book published by Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1946. Boldly signed in black fountain pen on half-title page. Later printing. Near Fine conditon with green cloth boards simulating rice paper, maroon lettering and Japanese floral logo on cover and spine, and Borzoi emblem on back cover. Previous owner's name neatly penned at top first endpaper. Signed edition dust jacket designed by Warren Chappell in good condition with wear to extremities and edge chipping with small paper loss; circular abrasion to front cover in blank area. No price point on jacket. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 259. COURTNEY H. HODGES (1887-1966). W.W.II lieutenant general, First Army, Commanding in France where his troops were the first to enter Paris, taking part in the Battle of the Bulge and D-day landings. In May 1945 he was sent to Far East to prepare for Allied invasion of Japan. War-date Free franked First United States Army mailing envelope postmarked Nov 5, [1944], just before the Battle of the Bulge. Darkly signed, adding "Free" above postmark. Letter not present. Light general toning; else Fine. Est: $50-100
|
|
| 260. [IWO JIMA] One of the costliest battles of WW II, with a loss of some 6,000 Marines. Fine commemorative SP, b/w satin finish, overall 123/4"x10" image of the famous scene of the "Flag Raising on Iwo Jima" on Feb 23, 1945. Boldly signed by the last three surviving Medal of Honor recipients from that battle: HERSHEL WILLIAMS(b. 1923); JACK H. LUCAS (1928-2008); and GEORGE E. WAHLEN (b. 1924). Fine example. Est: $150-300
|
|
| 262. ANTHONY C. MCAULIFFE (1898-1975). Army General commanding the 101st Airborne Division during the Battle of the Bulge famed for his succinct reply to the German request for his surrender at Bastogne, "To the German Commander: Nuts! The American Commander." He was subsequently promoted to major general and served as Commander-in-Chief of the Army in Europe during the 1950s. Vintage signed blue album leaf, 51/4"x3", darkly penned in blue ink, "A.C. McAuliffe." Fine. Accompanied by military biographical information. Est: $100-250
|
|
| "BURN IT WHEN READ, OR PUT IT IN THE WASTE-PAPER BASKET"263. BERNARD LAW MONTGOMERY (1887-1976). British Field Marshal commanding the Eighth Army who achieved his greatest victory at El Alamein when he drove Rommel from North Africa. ALS "Montgomery of Alamein," 1p, 53/4"x8", Bournemouth, England, Aug 1, 1969. On Carlton Hotel letterhead to Alam regarding his change of plans. In part, "I reckon you are right to cancel your visit here next weekend. It is very important to get yourselves into a suitable house quickly...It is no good hanging on, looking for perfection...Enclosed from a German may interest you. I have not answered it. Burn it when read, or put it in the waste-paper basket..." Enclosure not present. Darkly penned and signed. Fine example. Est: $200-450
|
|
| 264. BERNARD LAW MONTGOMERY ALS, 1p, 7"x91/4", n.p., Jul 7, 1951. On his Allied Powers Europe Deputy Supreme Commander letterhead regarding personal business. In small part, "My dear Burke, I am anxious to know if you received the 40 dollars I sent in payment of the bill for the Arrow shirts. I enclosed two 20 dollar notes in my letter. If the letter did not arrive, please let me know..." Darkly penned and signed as "Montgomery of Alamein, Field-Marshal." Fine example. Est: $200-400
|
|
| 265. ROBERT MORGAN (1919-2004). Pilot of famed World War II B-17, The Memphis Belle, the first bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe. In the first B-29 raid on Tokyo, Morgan was the lead pilot for the mission, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters among other medals. Commemorative SP, color, overall 14"x11" photo still of a fly-by formation of a replica of the WW II B-17 bomber and a B-1B supersonic bomber "officially dedicated as 'Memphis Belle VI' in a public ceremony" with 82-year-old Col. Morgan at the controls at Robins Air Force Base, GA, in 1999. A detailed printed description beneath image. Boldly signed by Morgan at lower image adding, "Pilot of Memphis Belle." Fine. Est: $80-160
|
|
| 266. LOUIS MOUNTBATTEN 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (1900-1979). British naval commander and statesman; great-grandson of Queen Victoria; supreme allied commander of Southeast Asia Theatre, recapturing Burma; assassinated by Irish terrorists. TLS "Mountbatten of Burma," 1p, 7"x9", Romsey, Hampshire, Jun 24, 1975. On his personal Admiral of The Fleet letterhead responding to Mr. Gallagher thanking him for a letter, which he "found on my return from an extended visit to France. I enclose the card you ask for to put in the book and will be interested to hear what the title of this book is as I don't seem to have heard of it. Yours sincerely..." Darkly signed with salutation and closing in his holograph. Fine. Accompanied by superb b/w photograph [Godfrey Argent], 61/2"x81/2". Est: $150-300
|
|
| 267. [NOTED AVIATORS & ACES] Collection of eight pioneer aviators and WW II aces. Two signed FDCs, one with attractive illustrated cache honoring Amelia Earhart postmarked at Atchison, KS, Jul 24, 1963. Signed by barnstormer, WW II fighter and test pilot BOB HOOVER; WW II fighter pilot and famed test pilot CHUCK YEAGER (b. 1923), the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound; CHARLES H. [Slick] GOODLIN, the youngest commissioned officer in the RCAF and Bell X-1 rocket test pilot; rocket test pilot 'PETE' EVEREST; PAUL TIBBETS, pilot of the B-29 bomber Enola Gay; triple ace C. E. BUD ANDERSON; and test pilot CHARLES 'CHUCK' TUCKER, who made the first flight of the X-4 in 1948. The second is an Air Mail FDC, honoring Charles Lindbergh postmarked at Williamsburg, VA, May 6, 1971. It is also signed by Goodlin; Tibbets; Tucker; Anderson; and Marine Corp hero of Midway and Guadalcanal, fighter ace MARION E. CARL, with 18 victories, awarded the Navy Cross. Est: $180-300
|
|
| 268. ERNIE PYLE (1900-1945). American journalist awarded Pulitzer Prize in 1944 for his European battlefront reporting. Pyle was killed by Japanese machine-gunfire on the island of Ie Shima in the southwestern Pacific Ocean near Okinawa. His book, Brave Men, 328pp, 53/4"x81/2", Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1945. Sixth printing. Darkly signed in black ink on half-title page. Negligible tear at cross section of one letter w/o paper loss, almost unnoticeable. Clean brown cloth boards with bright red lettering on spine; light fraying at top and bottom spine; minor wear to corner tips; front free endpaper removed with small irregular edge remaining; clean with light general toning throughout typical with wartime rationed printing paper; else VG+. No dust jacket. Uncommon signed copy. Est: $300-500
|
|
| 269. ALEXANDER P. DE SEVERSKY (1894-1974). Russian-American aviation pioneer, test pilot, inventor, and influential advocate of strategic air power, a one-time assistant to Billy Mitchell. He was important in the development of the P-47 Thunderbolt, and authored the acclaimed Victory Through Air Power (1942). His book, America: Too Young to Die, 237pp, 51/2"x81/4", McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1961. First Edition as stated on copyright page. First Printing. Dust jacket lacking. Inscribed and signed on first free endpaper to a WW II pilot: "To Major Austin C. Lemon with my warm regards..." Darkly penned adding date "5/22/61." Light shelfwear; numerous underlinings and marginal comments presumably by Major Lemon; else in excellent condition. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 270. WALTER BEDELL SMITH (1890-1970). Known as "Beetle," he was Eisenhower's chief of staff in Europe whom the general called the "perfect soldier-diplomat." He arranged the surrender of the German forces in April 1945. Signed autograph card, 41/2"x31/2". Darkly penned in blue ink. Fine example. Est: $50-100
|
|
| KENNEDY BLAMED ADVISORS FOR BAY OF PIGS DECISION271. MAXWELL D. TAYLOR (1901-1987). During World War II he was the first American general to set foot in France during the 1944 Allied invasion. As Army Chief of Staff (1955-59), he formulated the "flexible response" strategy used in Vietnam; was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1962-64); and US ambassador to South Vietnam (1964-65). ALS, 1p, 61/2"x101/4", Washington, DC, Jan 4, 1979. On his embossed personal letterhead regarding President John Kennedy's views on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Significant content regarding the Bay of Pigs fiasco. In part, "...I never heard Pres. Kennedy make derogatory remarks about the Joint Chiefs...except in connection with the Bay of Pigs. In this case, he blamed them for not giving him timely warning of the high risk of failure of the operation - a blame shared in his view by State, CIA, Defense and White House staff. You will find a few other references to the President's views of the military in my memoirs, 'Swords & Plowshares'..." Darkly penned and signed. Est: $200-400
|
|
| 272. PAUL W. TIBBETS (1915-2007). Pilot of the Enola Gay that dropped the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima; brigadier general, USAF. Collection of two important souvenir signed documents on heavy bond. Reproduced copy of TLS, 1p, 81/2"x11", Washington, DC, Jul 25, 1945. War Department Office of the Chief of Staff letterhead to General Carl Spaats, Commanding General, US Army Strategic Air Forces. General Thomas T. Handy transmits orders to the 509 Composite Group to "deliver its first special bomb as soon as weather will permit visual bombing after about 3 August 1945 on one of the targets: Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata and Nagasaki. To carry military and civilian scientific personnel from the War Department to observe and record the effects of the explosion of the bomb, additional aircraft will accompany the airplane carrying the bomb...It is desired that you personally deliver one copy of this directive to General MacArthur and one copy to Admiral Nimitz for their information..." Darkly signed at left margin adding, "Pilot - Enola Gay Over Hiroshima." Plus an 8"x11" reproduction of the front page of The New York Times, Aug 7, 1945 with dramatic headline "First Atomic Bomb Dropped On Japan; Missile is Equal To 20,000 Tons Of TNT; Truman Warns Foe Of a 'Rain of Ruin'" and contains much war news and follow-up to headlines. Signed in blue ink at top margin, adding "Pilot - Enola Gay 6 Aug 45." Fine examples. Est: $150-300
|
|
| 273. PAUL W. TIBBETS His book, Return of the Enola Gay, 339pp, 61/4"x91/4", Mid Coast Marketing, Columbus, OH, 1998. First Printing. Boldly signed on autograph page plus signatures of Bombardier TOM FEREBEE (1918-2000); and Navigator DUTCH VAN KIRK (b. 1921). Book and dust jacket Fine. Est: $200-300
|
|
| 274. PAUL W. TIBBETS Unusual SP, color, 10"x8" photo still of the atomic bomb explosion over Hiroshima. Boldly signed in blue felt tip, adding "Pilot - Enola Gay / Hiroshima, 8/6/45." He appears to have added an annotation at lower image. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 275. [TUSKEGEE AIRMEN] African American pilots who flew with distinction during World War II as the 332nd Fighter Group of the US Army Air Corps integral as bomber escorts and credited with 109 Luftwaffe aircraft shot down. Signed book, Black Knights "The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen" by Lynn Homan and Thomas Reilly, 336pp, 61/4"x91/4", Pelican Publishing Company, Gretna, LA, 2001. First Edition. First Printing. Signed by five members of the distinguished unit on half-title page, including Bert Wilson, adding "44E 302 Ftr. Sqrn."; EDWARD T. HALL "Class 45 C Bomb"; LEMUEL R. CUSTIS "99th Fighter Squadron"; WILSON V. EAGLESON "99th Ftr. Sqdn."; and CONNIE [?] "44-45B...616th Sq. 477th Bomb Group." All darkly penned. Fine condition. Est: $180-360
|
|
| 276. [USS INDIANAPOLIS SURVIVORS] The former flagship of the Navy Fifth Fleet ordered on a secret mission carrying critical parts and uranium projectile of the atomic bomb "Little Boy" to Tinian Island for the atomic bomb "Little Boy" dropped over Hiroshima. Without escort, it was sunk on its return voyage in the Philippine Sea by a Japanese submarine resulting in the greatest loss of life at sea by the US Navy. The tragic story is recounted in the book Abandon Ship! by Richard F. Newcomb, 305pp, 53/4"x81/2", Henry Holt and Co., New York, 1958. First Edition, 2nd Printing. Signed by four of the survivors including Captain CHARLES MCVAY (1898-1968), who was convicted in a controversial court-martial for the tragedy, though there is much evidence of the Navy's mishandling of the incident and made McVay a scapegoat. He committed suicide in 1968, but was later exonerated by a Congressional resolution and signed by President Clinton. McVay has added an inscription "To my friend Joe" above his signature. Also signing are E. L. "PETE" STURTEVANT, inscribing "To Joe, Just happy and grateful to be able to sign...'Indy' Survivor"; WILLIAM F. AULT "S 2/C"; and SALVADOR MALDONADO, adding "BKR3/4." Book is in near Fine condition with some moderate uneven toning on front illustrated paste-down and endpaper. Signed edition dust jacket evidences edgewear, especially at top and bottom spine with small paper loss; and occasional small tears with no paper loss; price clipped; else Good/VG. Est: $500-800
|
|
| 277. THEODORE J. "DUTCH" VAN KIRK (b. 1921). Navigator on the Enola Gay mission, which dropped the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima; flew combat missions with the 97th Bomb Group over Occupied France and Germany. Postwar he went on to a research and marketing career with DuPont. Signed original hand-drawn ink diagram on white paper, 11"x81/2", depicting the atomic explosion and mushroom cloud in wake of the Enola Gay. He annotates beside cloud "Mushroom Cloud estimated 60,000 ft. above the target of Aioi Bridge, the center of Hiroshima." Beside the detonation point: "Bomb explodes 190' above ground zero." The B29 is shown "approximately 11 miles" from the point of detonation and is captioned "Enola Gay Altitude 31,060' Speed 259 Knots Heading, About 120°." Darkly penned and signed, adding "Navigator - Enola Gay 6 Aug 1945." Fine. Est: $500-900
|
|
| 278. THEODORE J. "DUTCH" VAN KIRK Reproduced SP, b/w, overall 11"x81/2" view of the devastation of Hiroshima. Van Kirk states in top margin: "At 09-15 hours, the bomb was dropped on target. It was probably the most important moment of the war. Thirty three seconds later, the atomic bomb called 'Little Boy' exploded over Hiroshima, destroying the city and ushering in the dawn of the Nuclear Age." Signed in full at bottom border, adding pertinent detail. Darkly penned and signed in blue felt tip. Fine. Est: $500-800
|
|
| 279. ABIAN A. "WALLY" WALLGREN (1891-1948). Marine serving in AEF during WW I well known for his caricatures for Stars and Stripes, ridiculing Army life and regulations as well as the generals and staff, the Carl Malden of the Great War. After the war, he became a cartoonist for the American Legion and created the newspaper strip 'Hoosegow Herman'. Two humorous original WW II pen and wash drawings, signed "W". The first, backstamped Mar 15, 1943 beneath his Drexel Hill, PA address, 4"x7", depicts two soldiers reading The American Legion magazine captioned "Send Your Magazine To a Buddy in Service." The second same size drawing depicts a soldier teaching another how to open a bottle of French wine with unfortunate consequences. Fine examples matted and ready for framing. Included in this collection is a TLS by Marine Brigadier General W. E. RILEY, Division of Public Information, 1p, 8"x101/2", Washington DC, Aug 7, 1946. On Headquarters U.S. Marines letterhead, General Riley begins, "Being of the Old Sixth Regiment of the AEF also, I enjoyed receiving your letter..." He advises that he is unable to accomplish a request forwarded by Wallgren for a third party and provides a lengthy explanation. Annotations in Wallgren's hand regarding the disposition of the letter at both left and right margins. Fine. Est: $200-400
|
|
| 280. [WW II AMERICAN GENERALS] Collection of three US Army generals. ISPs, b/w, 8"x10" portraits. Included are MAXWELL D. TAYLOR (1901-1987), the first American general to set foot in France in 1944, later Army Chief of Staff. Darkly signed in black felt tip, adding sentiment and "5 Nov 1968." Borders trimmed and laid to same size mount; LEWIS B. HERSHEY (1893-1977), director of Selective Service (1942-70), promoted to full General by President Nixon, signed in blue felt tip, adding sentiment; and Brigadier General PAUL W. JOHNSTON (1892-1976), who served on MacArthur's staff in the Pacific, signed in blue ballpoint, with sentiment and note on verso. Light diagonal bend at bottom corner. Overall VG. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 281. LAVRENTI PAVLOVICH BERIA (1899-1953). Russian Deputy Prime Minister. As the head of Stalin's dreaded secret police, the NKVD, he oversaw the Great Purge of 1934-38 and ordered the deaths of thousands. Unable to resist the power of his position, Beria sought to succeed Stalin and was in turn tried and executed himself. DS in Russian, 1p, 8"x11", [Georgia], Oct 12, 1928. With partial translation. A review of a criminal case involving a convicted prisoner counterfeiting Soviet currency. A counterfeit example of evidence present. In part, Beria states: "...Regarding a request of the prisoner about his early discharge from a prison...As I can determine from that case, Bambuhchana Vartana Hachaturovicha was sentenced to imprisonment for ten years, because he was a false paper money producer. The prisoner has spent more than 5 yeas in the prison, he is an old man and his health is not good. So, we can let him leave prison early..." Boldly signed in purple ink as chief of the Georgia OGPU (secret police); and approved by two others: Humarec and Kazakov Light general wrinkling; two small mounting remnants on verso; small stains at top edge; else VG with strong signature area. Est: $250-500
|
|
| 282. SEMYON BUDENNY (1883-1973). Marshal of the Soviet Union, a personal friend of Stalin. A sergeant major in the czarist cavalry, he joined the Communist party in 1919 and helped to organize the Soviet cavalry, serving in the Russian Civil War (1918-20). A Cossack of legendary bravery, he commanded the Soviet Cavalry 1943-53. Partly printed DS in Russian, 1p, 91/2"x121/2", 1947. Untranslated. Handsome military award to Lieutenant General N. Shpier for his active participation in organizing the 6th All-Army Cavalry Contest. Darkly signed. Exquisite color cavalry and Soviet economic production theme vignettes with Lenin/Stalin profile bust portraits at center of red flag display. Custom matted and framed. Overall 141/2"x171/2". Est: $200-400
|
|
| 283. VASILY BLUKHER (1889-1938). Soviet marshal of the Far Eastern Army and hero of the civil war. A victim of Stalin's Great Purge of the late '30s, he was arrested on bogus spy charges and was last seen beaten to a bloody pulp in the basement of NKVD headquarters. TDS in Russian, 4pp, 9"x13", Jul 5, 1932. Untranslated highly classified military content document. Signed in bold pencil at conclusion. Light general toning; general light edgewear with few tiny marginal punctures; o/w VG/Fine. Est: $100-300
|
|
| 284. SERGEI SERGEYEVICH KAMENEV (1881-1936). Soviet military leader commanding at the Eastern Front during Russian Civil War; commander in chief of Revolutionary Military Council (1919-24); head of the Air Defense Department of Red Army from 1934. Partly printed DS in Russian, 1p, 83/4"x131/4", Moscow, Feb 23, 1928. Untranslated. Handsome ornate military award for courage and enthusiasm in the fight against the enemies of the Socialist Motherland. Boldly signed at conclusion. Typed text light; folds; 11/4" fold separation with no paper loss; else VG/Fine. Attractively matted and contained under plexiglass within wood frame. Overall 123/4"x153/4". Very nice. Est: $200-450
|
|
| 285. [WW II SOVIET PROPAGANDA POSTER] Anti-Nazi Soviet broadside, 171/2"x23", depicting a German soldier shooting a young girl in the back with a menacing caricature of Hitler standing behind him. Captioned in red lettering at bottom border, translated: "The Nazis Will Pay for All Murderous Acts Very Soon! Death To All Nazi Child Killers!" Russian 1944 printing stamps at bottom edge. Occasional light wrinkling; edge nicks and small tears with negligible paper loss; border crinkling at right edge; small light dampstain and soiling at top border; else in Good/VG condition. Est: $200-400
|
|
| 286. [WW II SOVIET PROPAGANDA POSTER] A 1942 anti-Nazi broadside, 91/4"x141/2", is captioned in red lettering "Death to Child Killers!" The stark graphic b/w imagery of a dead child lying on the floor still clutching her doll with the red bloody boot prints of a Nazi soldier exiting the open door with blood on his boot suggests its horrifying message. Obtained in Tallin, Estonia by original owner. Few light creases; single marginal tear without paper loss; and very small paper loss at top right corner tip; else in very good condition. Russian printing and publishing information at bottom border. Nicely matted and contained under plexiglass within embossed black frame with brass descriptive plaque at bottom frame. Overall 133/4"x19". Est: $200-400
|
|
| 287. GEORGI KONSTANTINOVICH ZHUKOV (1896-1974). Soviet field marshal who survived crushing poverty and Stalin's purges to command the Russian armies at the monumental battles of Moscow and Kursk as well as the taking of Berlin. He was the last general to attest to the formal surrender of Germany. Partly printed DS in Russian, 2pp on single leaf, 81/4"x111/2", 1947. Military evaluation of Colonel Vetchinkin Mickael Fedotovich, commander of the 202nd Tank Regiment, 188th Infantry Division. Determining that Fedotovich is a good Red Army officer, Zhukov boldly endorses at conclusion as "Head of the Odessa Military District, Marshal of the Soviet Union" beneath signatures of three other high-ranking commanders. Text above signature only slightly light; light general toning; staple punctures; else VG. Est: $150-400
|
|
| 288. GEORGI KONSTANTINOVICH ZHUKOV TDS in Russian, 3pp with integral leaf, 81/2"x11", Nov 1949. Untranslated. Statement from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Kaminski. Boldly signed on integral leaf. Countersigned by appropriate officers. Pinhole binding punctures at left edge; light general toning; slight edge wrinkling; else VG/Fine. Est: $150-300
|
|
| GOEBBELS ARCHIVE: LOVE LETTERS & POEMS TO HALF-JEWISH GIRL289. JOSEPH GOEBBELS (1897-1945). German Nazi propaganda minister from 1933 who exploited the German radio, press, cinema, and theater to launch venomous propaganda against the Jews and other groups. Intensely loyal to Hitler, he and his wife chose to commit suicide, killing his six young children in Hitler's underground bunker as the Russian Army closed in. Remarkable early archive relating Goebbels' courtship with a half-Jewish young woman during the time he was attempting to establish himself following his university years. The young author, poet and playwright obtained his doctorate in literature and philosophy but later would play down his intellectual credentials to serve his political purposes. Yet Dr. Goebbels was finding it difficult to establish himself in his writing career and improve his financial prospects, his books and plays repeatedly turned down by publishers. At the same time he was developing his gift for oratory. In 1922 Goebbels began courting young Else [Elsa], born Elizabeth Janke, an orphaned schoolteacher in his hometown of Rehydt, a borough of Mönchengladbach. References and descriptions of their long courtship appear in his biographies and published diaries, filled with angst and romantic longing.
Present are 20 ALsS in German, 66pp, various sizes, each divided by year, Sep 1922-[Oct 1927]. Untranslated. Plus 3 postcard AlsS postmarked from Bayreuth, Rheydt, and Berchtesgaden, all of which he signed with an intimacy, "Your [Ulef [?]." Each of the letters is dated but one. Most of the letters are fairly lengthy, with occasional poetry, and his first letter concludes with two bars of music by the romantic lover. Also present is a 32pp booklet containing his handwritten poems to Else, 9"x11". Untranslated. All are in excellent condition, darkly penned and signed in his holograph. Plus ten mostly postcard photographs of himself and Else with friends, one of the couple boating with friends identified on verso as the Frisian resort island of Baltrum, 1923. Also among them is an SP, 31/4"x71/2" half-length seated portrait of Goebbels holding a book. Darkly signed as "Dr. Joseph Goebbels" in black ink, an unsigned postcard portrait of Else and a sepia half-length portrait of the very young Goebbels, a small tear at bottom right corner with very small paper loss. Lastly, a photocopy of Else's German Reich Identification card with pertinent information including her married name, stamped by a Berlin police official in 1940.
Through Else's family connections Goebbels found work at the Dresdner Bank in Cologne in January 1923, though not a happy fit for his anti-capitalist ideals and the seeds of anti-Semitism finding root. He returned to Rheydt on a pretense. Else's heritage was to trouble their relationship increasingly. In 1924 Goebbels was introduced to the National Socialists and became district administrator of the National Socialist German Workers' Party in Elberfeld and editor of a Party magazine. The relationship between Else and Goebbels became more strained, finally ending in late 1926 when Goebbels made his final move to become gauleiter of Berlin. According to accompanying provenance by her son, Else broke the engagement after reading Hitler's Mein Kampf published in 1925-26. By this time in Germany, if you were half-Jewish, the entire bloodline was considered tainted. In 1926 Goebbels' transformation to anti-Semitism was near complete after a revelatory audience with Hitler who found in Goebbels useful talents to exploit. Needless to say, he was relieved on receipt of Else's final letters. However, it left them both with a problem. Else's son Carl relates that she had told Goebbels: "'If you people were in power, if my mother had lived now, you and your guys would have killed her! Those guys would have tried to kill my mother! I cannot be a fiancé with a person who would be a part of it.'" As the situation in Germany became more and more dangerous for Jews, her family's situation became precarious. These letters were used as blackmail to keep her family safe. Else had married in 1933, her German husband being aware of her heritage. At a time when many men were divorcing their Jewish wives, he would not be deterred. His parents already deceased, he wanted to immigrate to America. Else did not, and so they decided to blackmail Goebbels in this way: "We want to emigrate to America, and as we have no money, and are being forced by you and your guys to leave, I'll present all your letters to a publisher in America and a laughter will be around the world that a big anti-Semitic was engaged to a half-Jewish girl." They offered him a deal, by which they and any children they might have would be protected in exchange for the return of the incriminating letters and gifts. Goebbels agreed. With good reason Else retained these letters and a booklet of poems, later telling her son about them. Her husband obtained a position with the Reichsfilmkammer, the Reich Chamber of Film, which controlled the film industry in Germany. An important early gathering illustrating the dichotomy of Hitler's most rabidly anti-Semitic member of his inner circle. Est: $50000-75000
|
|
| 290. ADOLF HITLER (1889-1945). Leader of Nazi Germany, one of twentieth century's most powerful and feared dictators for a time dominating most of Europe and North Africa. Fine DS, 1p, 8"x111/2", Berlin, Mar 11, 1936. On ornate Reich letterhead Hitler appoints Dr. Alfred Kropp as veterinarian of the 80th Infantry Regiment. Darkly signed as Führer and Reichskanzler. Hitler has penned first name over section of large embossed Nazi seal. Countersigned by Minister of War WERNER VON BLOMBERG (1878-1946). Beautifully double-matted beside b/w, 61/2"x9" profile portrait with stamped signature. Contained under plexiglass within embossed frame. Overall 241/4"x203/4". Very nice example. Est: $1400-2100
|
|
| 291. [ADOLF HITLER] Unusual German period broadside advertising the sale of his two-volume book Mein Kampf for the price of RM 2.85, 121/2"x20", [ca. early 1930s]. Printed on beige paper, the advertisement features a quarter-length portrait of Hitler and descriptive text of the work, and invites the reader to learn about Hitler. Munich publisher's information at bottom. Very minor horizontal folds; couple minor edge nicks; light edgewear; else in near Fine condition. Est: $300-500
|
|
| 292. [ADOLF HITLER] His book Mein Kampf, 781pp, 5"x71/2", Zentralverlag Der NSDAP, Franz Eher Nachf., Munich, 1939. Frontispiece. Blue top edge. Vivid blue topstain with gilt eagle and swastika on cover and gilt lettering on spine. German annotation & stamp at top first free endpaper and annotated in pencil beneath, "Confiscated from a Germany Home 1945" and initialed. Negligible shelfwear; minor soiling to fore-edge; else near Fine. Est: $150-300
|
|
| 293. [HITLER CAMPAIGN FLYER] Historic 1932 campaign flyer in which the future dictator ran for President of Germany against the incumbent World War I hero Paul von Hindenberg and other candidates. Translated. Imprinted on both sides of brown paper in dark black lettering, 81/2"x121/4", the Nazi Party warns voters in inflammatory language of their duty to stop the "Red Wave" of murder and the spilling of German blood by the Bolsheviks by voting for Hitler. Headed "Murder!" the text proclaims, "Murder scoffs at the animal-like lust of the Marxist pest! Murder! Blood! The hissing of the red murderous troops howls in Germany, the country of 'Public Peace, Order and Security!'" Listed on front and back are 110 names of National Socialist fighters who have been "Beaten! Stabbed! Shot!" by the Marxists. Germans are called upon to help their country become free again: "Enough with political ineptness and murder!...You must decide: Don't Vote for Thälmann! Don't vote for Hindenburg! Hitler [will] become Reich President!" General light toning, slightly darker at folds; else in very good condition. Mounted beside translation under plexiglass viewable on both sides within embossed black frame. Overall 23"x18". Though Hitler lost to von Hindenburg that year, his 35% share of the vote made him a viable alternative that the aging president would have to reckon with in an increasingly unstable Germany. Est: $200-450
|
|
| 294. [1932 GERMAN ELECTION] Historic Reichstag election which brought the Nazi Party to power and ultimately leading to the presidential candidacy of Adolf Hitler and his appointment as Chancellor by von Hindenberg. Two original vintage ballots from this election, each 81/4"x6", from the Hesse-Nassau region of Germany. One lists ten National German Socialist Workers Party candidates for the Reichstag with Hitler leading Rudolf Hess, Joseph Goebbels, Hermann Göring, Ernst Röhm, Wilhelm Frick, Franz von Papen, etc. The other lists Adolf Hitler in large black type with Hess, Frick, Göring, Goebbels, Sprenger and Weinrich beneath. Penciled "X" on each ballot. Light general toning; else in Fine condition. Est: $100-250
|
|
| 295. MARTIN BORMANN (1900-1945?). Powerful party leader in Nazi Germany and one of Hitler's closest lieutenants and executor of his private Will and Testament. High command posts SS (1928-33); Chief of Staff to Deputy Führer Rudolph Hess (1933-41); Head of Nazi Party Chancellery (1941-45). Bormann was never officially declared dead until 1973. LS "M. Bormann" in German, 1p, 81/4"x11", Berlin, Feb 22, 1938. Translated. On National Socialist German Workers Party, Deputy of the Fürher letterhead to District leader Hinrich Lohse, marked "Personal!" and "Secret!" both underlined in red. Regarding the Law governing the German Workers Front, Bormann writes: "I am sending you four drafts of laws submitted by party fellow member, Reichsleader Dr. Ley, which show 'the goals and problems of the German Workers Front.' For your information I am also enclosing the preliminary point of view of the deputy of the Führer and two further opinions which had previously been handed in..." Enclosures not present. Signed in blue ink at conclusion, just before Germany's invasion and annexation of Austria. Light general toning, slightly darker at top and bottom margins; ink of large signature only slightly faded; very small paper loss at bottom right corner tip; else VG. Dr. Robert Ley was head of the German labor front in charge of the utilization of German labor. Mounted with transcript, a color 23/4"x4" portrait in uniform and brass descriptive plaque within simple black frame. Overall 21"x19". Est: $350-700
|
|
| 296. [CONCENTRATION CAMP VICTIMS] Collection of ten original memorial cards, 23/4"x43/4" each, in memory of individual victims of the holocaust who died in various concentration camps (1944-45). Most are Belgian or French. Untranslated. Six display actual photographs and the remaining feature mourning art on recto. Information regarding the victims including names, deportation dates and deaths, the camp where they died and brief biographies are imprinted on recto and/or verso of each black-bordered card. A sampling: Fernand Biver, a member of the Belgian Resistance, died in Ganacker camp in Germany. He was tortured by the Gestapo. René Lhermitte died in Mauthausen, Austria, Apr 5, 1945, age 48; Edouard Klepper and his son Jules both died in November and December respectively, 1944, in the Meten-Versen camp; Alexis-Joseph Tinant died at Neuengamme camp in Hamburg. Attorney GEORGES QUINOT was a political prisoner who died at Neuengamme in Mar 1945. Light general toning; else in excellent condition. Superb holocaust research material. Est: $100-250
|
|
| 297. HERMANN FEGELEIN (1906-1945). Nazi military leader and SS-Gruppenführer, a Knight's Cross winner with Oak Leaves wounded three times, the last time on Jul 20, 1944 during the attempt on Hitler's life. He married Eva Braun's sister and served as liaison between Hitler and Himmler, but in the closing days of the war he was caught in civilian dress and was summarily executed. War-date DS in German, 1p, 8"x11", [1943]. Fegelein approves an award list for the Iron Cross, second class for nine members of the SS Cavalry Division deployed in Russia. Signed as SS Brigade commander and General Major. Signature partially penned over typed rank; ink slightly faded; else VG. Attractively mounted with b/w 23/4"x4" portrait in uniform and a b/w group portrait on their wedding day, Jun 3, 1944, with his wife Gretl, Hitler, sister-in-law Eva Braun, Fransiska "Fanny" Braun (Eva and Gretl's mother); and other members of the inner circle, 31/2"x41/4". Attractively mounted within simple frame. Overall 201/4"x15". Est: $350-700
|
|
| 298. [GERMAN KNIGHTS CROSS] Four fighter pilot aces who were awarded the Knights Cross, three with Oakleaves. Limited Edition commemorative color print of "Four Knights," 161/2"x113/4". Each has boldly signed beside their images and beneath illustrations of the planes they flew and their Fighter Wing insignia. Boldly signed in felt tip by ObLt. GÜNTHER RALL; Major HAJO HERRMANN; ObLt. HANS-EKKEHARD BOB; and ObLt. WALTER SCHUCK, an ace in two different aircraft. Fine example. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 299. HERMANN GÖRING (1893-1946). German politician who began his career as an air ace in World War I and rose to become Hitler's right-hand man and head of the Luftwaffe. After his capture, he committed suicide hours before his scheduled execution. SP, b/w, 21/4"x31/2" snapshot portrait in uniform wearing a floral garland. Signed "Göring" across dark area of image with fair contrast. Nicely mounted above brass name plaque within simple frame. Overall 63/4"x83/4". Est: $450-750
|
|
| | 300. PULLED
|
|
| | 301. PULLED
|
|
| 302. [LITZMANNSTADT TRANSPORT DOCUMENT] Renamed by the Nazis, this second largest city in Poland known as Lodz was the site of Litzmannstadt Ghetto and was surrounded by various concentration camps and death camps. Partly printed DS in German, 2pp on single leaf, 81/4"x113/4", Eberswalde, Apr 4, 1944. Untranslated. Stamped "Secret!" at top margin, an SS medical record for Heinrich Kroll, born in 1897, and stamped, "Superstructure Warehouse Material Eberswalde," probably where he was employed. Stamped by "Dr. Groefend, Eberswalde" and signed by him, noting and attesting his dangerous condition. The second section is stamped "Transport," with second "Secret!" stamp signed by SS officer "Hellmann." A third section signed by the National Railway Doctor is stamped "Chief Burgomaster Litzmannstadt Getto-Bernvaltung." On verso are other related forms, two marked "Transport," and dated April 17, 1944, plus three more Litzmannstadt Getto stamps and signed beneath. Est: $100-200
|
|
| 303. [NAZI PROPAGANDA BROADSIDE] Original WW II anti-Churchill color broadside, 161/2"x231/2", in Estonian, ca. 1943, untranslated: "Churchill's Fairy Tales." German imprint at bottom right: "Churchill Tells Estonians." At bottom left is an illustration of the World Review in which English Marxist and Ambassador to the Soviet Union Sir Stafford Cripps, allegedly a friend of Moscow, promoting the Balkan states under the control of the Soviet Union with Prime Minister Winston Churchill's approval. Edgewear; occasional border stains; single border abrasion; else in very good condition. Est: $200-400
|
|
| 304. [NAZI RUSSIAN OCCUPATION] War-date German Ukraine Newspaper, Deutsche Ukraine-Zeitung, 8pp, 16"x221/4", Lemberg [Lviv] Feb 6, 1942. Front page headlines proclaims 47,000 tons sunk off the United States coast along with a US tanker; Göring arrives back from Italy; news from the Eastern Front; Japanese soldiers storm Singapore; also a profile of General Mannerheim and much more. Numerous photographs. General age toning, a little darker at edges; edge tears with minor paper loss; leaves cleanly separated; else in very good condition. Est: $100-300
|
|
| 305. ERICH RAEDER (1876-1960). Commander in chief of the German Navy (1928-43) and proponent of an aggressive naval strategy, convicted as a war criminal. Promoted to grand admiral during World War II, his many strategic differences with Adolf Hitler, who generally undervalued the role of sea power, ultimately led to his removal from the supreme naval command in January 1943. Printed DS "Raeder" in German, 1p with integral leaf, 10"x14", Berlin, Oct 24, 1938. Untranslated. Appointment of cadet naval officer to Lieutenant with all obligations attending his new position and with the protection and guidance of the Reich. Darkly signed in black ink as commander in chief of the Navy beside large embossed Nazi seal. Light general toning; 1" right edge tear with no paper loss in blank area; penciled annotation at top right corner; light edge wrinkling; else VG. Est: $250-450
|
|
| 306. ERWIN ROMMEL (1891-1944). Brilliant German Field Marshal whos |