Auction 23

Stamps, Postal History, Autographs


Aviators and Military Leaders


Table of Contents 
Prior Chapter  Table of Contents  Next Chapter 


Lot Photo Description Realized
Lot 6
Ingalls, Laura, Pioneering American aviator (1893-1967); recipient of the Harmon Trophy; set and broke records for distance and for stunt flying; later imprisoned as a Nazi agent. Typewritten Letter Signed "Laura Ingalls," 1 page, 4to, Burbank, CA, Sept 6, 1935. Just days before her transatlantic flight, she writes to apologize to postmaster Richard Singley of Lancaster, PA for misplacing some of his letters to be carried, and suggests a way to rectify it, and she instead carried an unmarked cover! Light blotting to signature, otherwise in excellent condition.
Estimate $50 - 75.
View details and enlarged photo
Unsold
Lot 7
Iwo Jima Memorial, small collection of autographs and ephemera concerning the iconic photograph of the flag-raising at the Battle of Iwo Jima that became the basis for one of our most recognizable memorials. Includes air mail cover signed by original participant "John H. Bradley" as part of his autograph return address, Milwaukee, 1947, mounted with clipping; signature of original participant "Cpl Rene Gagnon / USMC" on a card mounted with clippings; air mail cover signed by the photographer of the famous scene "Joe Rosenthal" as part of his autograph return address, San Francisco, 1947. With three related items.
Estimate $75 - 100.
View details and enlarged photos
Realized
$100
Lot 8
King, Ernest Joseph (23 November 1878 – 25 June 1956) was Commander in Chief, United States Fleet (COMINCH) and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) during World War II. As COMINCH-CNO, he directed the United States Navy 's operations, planning, and administration and was a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; lovely airmail cover sent Oct. 27, 1944 from the U.S. Fleet Post Office, Washington D.C.
Estimate $50 - 75.
View details and enlarged photo
Unsold
Lot 9
Pershing, John J., General of the Armies of the United States (1860-1948); commanded the Allied Expeditionary Forces during World War I. Typewritten Letter Signed "John. J. Pershing as Commander in Chief, American Expeditionary Forces, Paris, Nov 28, 1918. Just weeks after the Armistice, he informs Brigadier General Harry A Smith in Luxembourg that "on October 17, I recommended you for promotion to the grade of Major General…The War Department discontinued all promotions of General Officers after the signing of the Armistice, and I regret that therefore you will not receive the deserved recognition of your excellent services." In choice condition. With related FDC.
Estimate $250 - 300.
View details and enlarged photo
Unsold
Lot 10
Pershing, John J., General of the Armies of the United States (1860-1948); commanded the Allied Expeditionary Forces during World War I. Typewritten Letter Signed "John. J. Pershing" as General of the Armies, 1p, 8vo, on official stationery, Washington, May 2, 1922. He informs Brig Gen Harry A Smith at the Army War College that "the Secretary of War…has selected you to fill the vacancy which will be caused by the promotion of General McRae…" In excellent condition. Pershing had wanted to promote Smith during the war, but after the armistice was signed, all promotions were suspended (see previous lot).
Estimate $150 - 200.
View details and enlarged photo
Unsold
Lot 11
Pershing, John J., General of the Armies of the United States (1860-1948); commanded the Allied Expeditionary Forces during World War I. Typewritten Letter Signed "John. J. Pershing" as Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces 1p, 8vo, on official stationery, France, January 28, 1919. He thanks Theodore Greene, director of Rhode Island's War Savings Organization, to thank him for the gift of a book from "the citizens of Rhode Island who purchased War Savings Stamps…to express their appreciation of the work accomplished by their army in France." Some toning at folds, otherwise in choice condition.
Estimate $150 - 200.
View details and enlarged photo
Unsold
Lot 12
Ridgeway, Lt. Gen. Matthew B (March 3, 1895-July 26, 1993) was a senior officer in the United States Army, who served as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (1952-1953) and the 19th Chief of Staff of the United States Army (1953-1955). He fought with distinction during World War II, where he was the Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division, leading it in action in Sicily, Italy and Normandy, before taking command of the newly formed XVIII Airborne Corps in August 1944. He held the latter post until the end of the war, commanding the corps in the Battle of the Bulge, Operation Varsity and the Western Allied invasion of Germany.

Ridgway held several major commands after World War II and was most famous for resurrecting the United Nations (UN) war effort during the Korean War. Several historians have credited Ridgway for turning the war around in favor of the UN side. His long military career was recognized by the award of the Presidential Medal of Freedom on May 12, 1986 by President Ronald Reagan, who stated that: "Heroes come when they're needed; great men step forward when courage seems in short supply."

Typewritten speech dated 05 June 50 in pencil (also initialed M.B.R. at top in pencil) to be made to the 82nd Airborne by Lt. Col. William C. Westmoreland, Chief of Staff of the 82nd Airborne Division (commemorating the victory in Normandy) edited and initialed on the last page by Ridgeway. The speech recounts the events in Normandy and in particular the battle for The La Fiere Bridge in which the 82nd Airborne captured the enemy at 1100 hours on June 6 (1944), the bridge was never again crossed by German troops except as prisoners. Also included in this lot is the envelope in which the speech was mailed to Lt. Col. Westmoreland at Fort Bragg, NC postmarked June 7, 1950; a unique, historical item indeed.
Estimate $350 - 500.
View details and enlarged photo
Unsold
Lot 13
Tibbets, Paul, American Air Force officer (1915-2007); piloted the Enola Gay when she dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Commemorative Cover Signed "Paul Tibbets," postmarked Richmond, VA, 6/29, year illegible, celebrating the Boeing B-29 Washington I. Affixed to a sheet with information about the plane, which was introduced to the RAF in 1950. With additional bio.
Estimate $75 - 100.
View details and enlarged photos
Unsold
Lot 14
Wood, Leonard, American soldier (1860-1927); Army Chief of Staff just before the First World War; although a medical officer, he rose to ranks of command, partly due to his service in the Philippines. Good content and association Typewritten Letter Signed "Leonard Wood," as Commander of the Eastern Department, 1p, 8vo, Governor's Island, NY, September 25, 1917. Just days after the death of George Dewey, hero of Manila Bay, on January 17, Wood writes to his widow, "I cannot tell you how shocked and aggrieved I was to hear of his illness and its unfortunate termination…I valued his friendship and good opinion very highly…The nation has lost one of its great figures in both the Navy and Army…" Pencil notation at bottom, otherwise in excellent condition. With printed portrait.
Estimate $150 - 200.
View details and enlarged photos
Unsold




Table of Contents 
Prior Chapter  Table of Contents  Next Chapter 

© 2024 golden oak online auctions
p.o. box 244 · gordon, tx 76453 · usa
t: 469.437.7658 email: support@gooaucs.com