Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 24

Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

Autographs-Military Leaders

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 342		(Crimean War) Gurney, Victor R. Cavalryman and one of 600 members of the Light Brigade who lost 40% of their men at Balaklava during the Crimean War and were immortalized in Tennyson's famous poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade." Scarce Autograph Letter Signed "(Captn) Victor R. Gurney V.C. / one of the Balaklava Six Hundred," New York City, November 21, 1899, 1 pg., octavo. Written to a young boy who had requested an autograph. Gurney writes that he receives many such requests, and adds, in part, "You wish the date of the Battle. It occured on October 25, 1854 in the Crimea, a part of Southern Russia…." Light toning. Together with a note from William H. Russell, the London Times correspondent who first reported on the debacle. Signature and short note on blue paper, Hanly, Oct. 25, 1857, "W H Russell / Q.L.D. / late special correspondent of 'The Times' in the Crimea &c…." Mounted to a toned sheet. Both pieces Very Good. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $230
Lot 343		Dewey, George (1837-1917) Spanish American War admiral. Autograph Letter Signed on "Navy Department, Office of The Admiral of the Navy" letterhead, Washington, May 9, 1904. One page, small quarto, matted and framed with an image of Dewey to an overall size of 19 x 27 inches. To the president of the International League of Press Clubs, greeting the journalists of the country and hoping that "their influence, greater now than ever before, be exerted always for the welfare of America and her people." Letter is lightly soiled, else Fine. Journalists were very influential in starting the Spanish American War, during which Dewey gained fame as the "hero of Manila." Estimated Value $450 - 550. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 344		Donitz, Karl (1891-1980) German admiral; submarine commander in World War I; named by Hitler as his successor. Two World War I Typed Documents Signed as commander of the Baltic Sea Naval Station, both datelined Kiel, September 20, 1919, 2 pp, folio. Both concern First Lieutenant Friedrich Neugebauer, acknowledging his long service as a watch officer and torpedo-boat commander. Donitz signed both documents in pencil. The second document is stamped with the red seal of the "Kaiserliche Marine / Kommando der Ostseestation." Light toning, a few tiny edge splits, and a couple of rust marks from paper clips, else fine. (2 items). Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 345		MacArthur, Douglas & Warren, Earl. Black and white 8 x 10 in. Photograph Signed by MacArthur, Warren, and Elmer E. Robinson, c. early 1950s. The photo shows the aging five-star general riding in a San Francisco parade with Warren who was governor of California from 1943 to 1953, and Robinson, mayor of San Francisco from 1948 to 1956. MacArthur's signature has a few skips in the blue ink. Warren signed boldly in black ink and Robinson in brown ink. Very Fine. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 346		North, Oliver. Decorated Marine Col. in Vietnam; worked for Reagan White House and directed Iran-Contra operation. Two items: Typed Letter Signed, on "Oliver North for U.S. Senate Committee" letterhead, Chantilly, VA, May 16, 1994. One page quarto, thanking Dr. Lester for his support. Also, a signed bookplate. Both Very Fine. (2 items). Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 347		Pershing, John J. Photograph of the 13th machine gun troops, 8th brigade, serving under General Pershing in 1916 during the Punitive Expedition into Mexico in search of Pancho Villa, Signed ("John J. Pershing") in the lower right corner. 5 x 7 inches; signature is a little light. A somewhat faded manuscript inscription to Pershing from the troop is in the upper right corner: "For Reunion and Homag [sic] / Punishment not Intervention / Persuasion by Browning / 13th machine gun troop (s)." The photo is toned and foxed, with some old stains and closed tears; a sticker is in the upper left corner and some patriotic printing is affixed at lower edge. Among the troops can be seen at least two black soldiers. Pershing got his nickname "Black Jack" back in 1895 from his willingness to lead black soldiers into combat. The photo is mounted to the first end page of a worn, leather-bound album, 11 x 14 inches, entitled "Views of the Monuments and Characteristic Scenes Along the Boundary Between the United States and Mexico West of the Rio Grande. 1892-1895"; it holds 258 views "reproduced from photographs taken under the direction of the International Boundary Commission." The scenes have English and Spanish titles. Stamped on the lower edge of the album cover is "U.S. Army Southern Department / Presented By the Men of the 13th Machine Gun Troop to Brig. General John Pershing - 8th Brig. / Nogales, Mexico September 1916." An interesting item for students of military and/or black history. Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $575
Lot 348		Pershing, John J. "Black Jack" (1860-1948) American army commander. Military Manual Signed in the upper right corner of the title page: Regulations For The Army Of The United States 1895, Washington: Government Printing Office, 1895, 303 pages. Cobalt blue hard covers are worn and rubbed, with some areas of fading; a light dampstain affects a portion of the end pages, but not the text. The signature is on the light side. Pershing probably used this manual when he was an Instructor of Tactics at West Point between 1897 and 1899. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $86
Lot 349		Wellesley, Arthur, Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) British general and statesman; defeated Napoleon at Waterloo; Prime Minister (1828-30). Two Autograph Letters Signed ("Wellington"). The first is datelined London, June 22 18??(date illegible), 1 pg., 5¼ x 4 in., mounted to board, trimmed, with light toning. Addressed to Chevalier / War Teller, "I have signed and sent off the certificate and nothing remains but for me to thank you." The second letter is datelined January 15, 1820, 1-1/3 pp, octavo, and is written to "My dear William," regarding a visit he is trying to fit into his schedule. With envelope addressed to Messrs. Metcalfe, Wilde… Uneven toning and some soiling. (2 letters). Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $230
Lot 350		Wellesley, Arthur, Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) British general and statesman; defeated Napoleon at Waterloo; Prime Minister (1828-30). Autograph Letter Signed ("Wellington"), Chetterham, July 9, 1816, 1 pg. quarto. To Henry Meeks in London. In part, "…I shall be very much obliged to you if you will send me the particulars of the Estate which you propose I should purchase…." With attached integral address lead, addressed in Wellington's hand and free franked, "Wellington." Large red wax seal is present. Address leaf is soiled, and the letter lightly so, else Very Good. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $173