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Our Next Historic Auction is September 2010
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR SAILOR`S SOUVENIR $500.00
38041-1
Scarce Spanish-American War sailor's souvenir, a 26" x 20" silk and cotton embroidered banner headed "IN REMEMBRANCE OF MY CRUISE IN PHILIPPINES CHINA JAPAN", showing 12 national flags embroidered in color around an elaborately embroidered frame containing a 3" x 4 1/2" albumen photo of the sailor who commissioned this piece. Also bears an embroidered eagle and anchor, with a very fine embroidered portrait of his vessel, the troop transport USS Logan. Set in the original frame, very good to fine.
JAMES H. DOOLITTLE $75.00
41205-1
(1896 - 1993) American aviator who gained fameboth as a racing pilot and as leader of the first air raid on Tokyo during World War II. Commemorative postal cover honoring "V-J DAY", showing an eagle's talons shredding a Japanese flag, canceled on the day the Japanses surrendered in Tokyo Bay, Sep. 2, 1945, nicely signed in blue ink.
(MEXICAN WAR NAVAL COMMAND REQUEST) $160.00
60078-9
War-date A.L.S., 4pp., 4to, Pensacola, January 20, 1847, a plea from one A. S. Baldwin to Sen. Chester Ashley of Arkansas for command of a Gulf Squadron naval vessel set to participate in combat in the Mexican War. In part: "...I shall fully appreciate...your assistance should you succeed in obtaining for me the Second Idol of my Heart. I mean a Command. You are already aware how earnestly I have sought employment since this Mexican War commenced. After Several month's closely watching the Gulf Squadron a vacancy appeared...in the...Princeton Steamer...I place very great importance upon getting into this vessel during this war and at this time, having arrived near that age when a Man is a Man...". Baldwin's previous assignment was with the Wilkes Expedition, (the United States Exploring Expedition), when President John Quincy Adams ordered the Navy to explore the Pacific Ocean during the years 1838-1842. The Wilkes team mapped over 800 miles of Oregon Coast and retrieved thousands of plant and animal specimens constituting what are now the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Botanical Garden. Baldwin credits his years with the expedition as making him well-trained and worthy of command. Minor folds and uneven age toning in places, else very good.
(1841 MEXICO'S POLITICS IN TURMOIL) $150.00
60078-14
JOSE RAFAEL LOPEZ Good lot of two A.L.S.'s, the first 2pp., 4to., Saltillo, September 9, 1841, in Spanish, a request for power of attorney over several Mexican soldiers. Lopez also writes of Mexico's internal struggles, in part: "...Don Anastasio [Bustamante] has pronounced for the Constitution of 1824. Santa Anna is in Tacubaya with 4000 men, Bustamante with 3000 men in Mexico City...". In 1841, Santa Anna wrested control from Bustamante's failing government and became President for the fifth time, ruling while under attack from rebel groups and Bustamante himself. Stained with a tiny hole in text, else good. Included with the lot is a second letter, an A.L.S., 1p., 4to, Mexico City, Nov. 16, 1842, in Spanish [not translated], boldly signed "Jose Rafael Lopez". Fine condition, two pieces.
WORLD WAR II GERMAN POSTAL HISTORY $150.00
60130-21
Interesting group of ten items of World War II German postal history interest, includes: three Polish P.O.W. officers' postcards sent from Woldenberg Prison, with censor's stamps, untranslated, sent to addresses in Cracow and West Prussia; a folded Polish P.O.W.'s letter sent from Offlag IID, and written on heavily-chalked paper to prevent the use of onion or other juices which become visible when subjected to heat, untranslated; a similar letter sent to Lodz; three postal covers, one franked, sent from members of a Turkestan group allied with the Germans, with Feldpost cancellations; a typed postcard, signed with Feldpost cancel, Aug. 6, 1943, sent by a soldier of the "Spanish Blue" Division, volunteers who fought for the Nazis during the war; and a Waffen SS envelope from Befehlshaber der Ordnungspolizei Pol. Btl. 315, unit stamp on verso. Overall very good, and should be examined. Ten pieces.
BOSTON CUSTER $4,000.00
60843-3
(1848 - 1876) Younger brother of George and Thomas Custer and brother-in-law of First Lt. James Calhoun, Boston served as a guide to George and was killed along with his two brothers at the Little Big Horn. Very rare A.L.S. "Bos", 3pp. 8vo., Monroe, Oct. 21, 1866 to his brother George Armstrong Custer, who was then serving in Kansas, and sister. In part: '...I thought I would write you a few lines to see if you had arrived at your place of destination yet. We are all well as usual. Pap has not got home yet but expect him every-day. We expect Tom home every-day. I am going to School regular now and wish I was through so I could come down there with you. I know I would enjoy myself very much. I hope Anna is contented. Tell her all her folks are well. I wish Libbie was hear [sic] to help me write my composition. I have got to have one friday. Mr. Jones (the man that fixed your boat) said it would cost $10.00 and I give him this $5.00 you left me and he said he wanted you to send it to me as soon as you could...it is very lonesome since you left. I would like very much to make you a visit next summer but I suppose there is no chance of it....", with more social content. With original holograph envelope addressed by him to: "Genl. G. A. Custer Ft. Riley Kansas".
BATTLE OF THE BULGE U.S. TANKER'S GAS MASK $150.00
60852-3
A great battlefield "pick-up" from the area of Manhay, Luxembourg, scene of a fierce battle between American tankers and their SS counterparts in the days leading up to Christmas, 1944, namely an American tanker's gas mask, accompanying bag and accoutrements recovered shortly after the monumental battle. These items, likely lost by a member of the 3rd Armored Division, include a complete gas mask and canister, green canvas bag with stenciled ID "US MASK, PROTECTIVE TANK M25AI", and empty canisters which once held eye ointment and "ANTI-DIM" cloth. One can only image the hell breaking loose when this item was lost! From the personal collection of World War II and Civil War historian Michael Miner. Miner's thirty-year collection was built through an extensive system of contacts he developed with artifact hunters and diggers in Europe and the Far East, and he maintained careful records of the items he amassed.
GERMAN P.O.W.'S "CENSORED" BIBLE! $75.00
60855-1
A most ironic World War II item, a German P.O.W.'s New Testament, stamped as "Censored" by American military authorities! The 3" x 4 1/2" book bears a brown faux leather cover and on the inside front cover bears the prisoner's name and home address. The Bible was originally intended for American soldiers, as on the opposite page appears an inspirational note signed in print by President Franklin D. Roosevelt noting how he takes: "...pleasure in commending the reading of the Bible to all who serve...it is a fountain of strength...". Incredibly, the title page bears a purple ink stamp reading: "CENSORED OFFICE OF INTELLIGENCE & CENSORSHIP PRISONER OF WAR CAMP CAMP FORREST, TENN.". Very good to fine. From the personal collection of World War II and Civil War historian Michael Miner. Miner's thirty-year collection was built through an extensive system of contacts he developed with artifact hunters and diggers in Europe and the Far East, and he maintained careful records of the items he amassed.
DOUGLAS MACARTHUR $90.00
60608-4
(1880 - 1964) American general and Allied Supreme Commander in the Pacific in World War II, accepted the surrender of Japan and was later dismissed by Truman for advocating an invasion of China. T.L.S. on scarce Headquarters, Supreme Commander letterhead, 1p. 4to., Tokyo, Apr. 3, 1948 thanking a Milwaukee man for his letter of support and "expression of confidence which I highly value...". Tape stains show through from verso affecting top of letter, else very good.
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