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Sale 52
Manuscript, Collectibles and Aerospace Auction
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Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 267 |
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MacArthur's Proclamation to the People of the Philippines - Only Known Signed Copy. Typed document signed "Douglas MacArthur" as Commander-in-Chief of the Southwest Pacific Area, on "General Headquarters Southwest Pacific Area Office of the Commander-In-Chief" letterhead, 1 page, 10¼ x 8". Stamped "TOP SECRET," this is MacArthur's "PROCLAMATION TO THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES. It says, in full:
"I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God our forces stand again on Philippine soil - soil consecrated in the blood of our two peoples. We have come, dedicated and committed, to the task of destroying every vestige of enemy control over your daily lives, and of restoring, upon a foundation of indestructible strength, the liberties of your people.
At my side is your President, Sergio Osmena, worthy successor of that great patriot, Manuel Quezon, with members of his cabinet. The seat of your government is now therefore firmly re-established on Philippine soil.
The hour of your redemption is here. Your patriots have demonstrated an unswerving and resolute devotion to the principles of freedom that challenges the best that is written on the pages of human history. I now call upon your supreme effort that the enemy may know from the temper of an aroused and outraged people within that he has a force there to contend with no less violent than is the force committed from without.
Rally to me. Let the indomitable spirit of Bataan and Corregidor lead on. As the lines of battle roll forward to bring you within the zone of operations, rise and strike. Strike at every favorable opportunity. For your homes and hearths, strike! For future generations of your sons and daughters, strike! In the name of your sacred dead, strike! Let no heart be faint. Let every arm be steeled. The guidance of divine God points the way. Follow in His Name to the Holy Grail of righteous victory! Douglas MacArthur."
Boldly signed in black ink. Two rusty paper clip marks at top, three small remnants from a previous pasting in left margin and one small edge tear. This is the only known signed copy of MacArthur's Proclamation to the People of the Philippines. Accompanied by an 8 x 10" U.S. Army photograph, identified on the back as "Gerneral Douglas MacArthur making the speech in which he turned over the Philippine Government to President Osmena at Tacloban, Leyte Island, P.I. 10/23/44."
Upon orders from President Roosevelt, MacArthur was evacuated from the Philippines in March 1942 and given command of Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific area. He successfully defended southeastern New Guinea, and began the counteroffensive against the Japanese that would lead to his return to the Philippines in October 1944 with the invasion of Leyte. MacArthur was promoted to General of the Army shortly before the end of 1944, and subsequently oversaw the liberation of the rest of the Philippines. He presided over the formal surrender ceremonies of the Japanese on September 2, 1945, aboard the battleship USS Missouri.
This is one of the most historically important World War II documents ever to appear on the market. An icon of American history!.
Estimated Value $50,000 - 60,000.
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| Realized
$57,500 |
Lot 268 |
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MacArthur, Douglas. Bold signature on 3 x 5 in. paper, n.p., n.d. Matted with a portrait of MacArthur and framed to an overall size of 17 x 10¾". Fine; some nicks to frame.
Estimated Value $150 - 200.
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| Unsold |
Lot 269 |
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Document Signed by Hitler Sept. 4, 1944, Removing Rommel From Command. Document signed as Der Führer, 1 page, in German, 11¾ x 8¼", Führer's Headquarters, September 4, 1944. The document orders, effective the same day, the transfer of General Field Marshal Rommel, Commander of Army Group B, to the Führer Reserve of the General Headquarters of the Army. Five weeks later, on October 14, 1944, Rommel would be given the choice of taking poison or being tried for high treason and executed, along with his family and staff. This historic document signals the official beginning of the end for Rommel.
The document also orders that, effective the same day, General Field Marshal Model be appointed Commander of Army Group B, Rommel's former command, and General Field Marshal von Rundstedt is appointed Commander of the West and Army Group D.
Rommel, like many German officers, had become disenchanted with Hitler, and was convinced that Germany's defeat was inevitable. When approached in the early months of 1944 by Ludwig Beck and Carl Goerdeler about joining the plot to assassinate Hitler, Rommel refused, claiming that assassination would turn Hitler into a martyr. Rommel favored opening independent peace negotiations with the Allies and presenting Hitler with a fait accompli. Hitler could then be arrested and brought to trial.
In a letter written July 15, 1944, Rommel made one last attempt at impressing on Hitler the urgency of the situation, beginning, "The situation on the Normandy front is growing worse every day and is now approaching a grave crisis" and concluding: "…the unequal struggle is approaching its end. It is urgently necessary for the proper conclusion to be drawn from this situation. As C[ommander]-in-C[hief of the Army Group I feel myself in duty bound to speak plainly on this point."
On July 17, Rommel suffered severe injuries from Allied aircraft near Livarot, and any hopes he had of pursuing an independent peace had to be put aside. In the aftermath of the failed July 20th attempt on Hitler's life by Colonel Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg (played by Tom Cruise in the movie Valkyrie), and the arrests and executions which followed, Hitler discovered that Rommel had been aware of the July 20th assassination plot, even though he had played no part in it.
Hitler decided that Rommel had to be done away with, but it wasn't a simple matter. As Rommel's son, Manfred, writes at the conclusion of The Rommel Papers (Edited by B.H. Liddell Hart), "My father's case presented a particularly difficult problem for Hitler, for the news that even Field Marshal Rommel regarded the war as lost and was advising a separate peace would have been tantamount to a declaration of military bankruptcy." Thus, the decision was made to save face for the Reich by giving Rommel the opportunity to take poison, an option he would obviously choose to spare his family and staff from execution.
On October 14, 1944, Generals Burgdorf and Maisel arrived at the Rommel home and gave Rommel his brutal choice. He was given only 15 minutes to say goodby to his wife and son, to whom he said, "To die by the hand of one's own people is hard." That evening, when Manfred saw his father's dead body at the hospital, where Rommel had been taken to facilitate the cover story of a "seizure," he noted, "My father lay on a camp-bed in his brown Africa uniform, a look of contempt on his face."
Under threat of death, Mrs. Rommel, Manfred, and Captain Hermann Aldinger, Rommel's aide-de-camp, had been told to never divulge the true circumstances of Rommel's death. Hitler announced that Rommel had died of a seizure on the way to a conference, and to maintain the facade, Rommel was "honored" with a state funeral and a national day of mourning.
Estimated Value $30,000 - 50,000.
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| Realized
$39,100 |
Lot 270 |
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[Rommel. Erwin] Exact Replica of Field Marshal Rommel's Service Baton. A jeweler's exact reproduction of Field Marshal Rommel's service baton, with incredible attention to detail. The baton is 31 inches long. It resembles an ebony riding crop, fitted with an elaborate silver pommel surmounted by a black, enameled Iron Cross and a golden Wehrmacht eagle. Engraved at the base of the silver pommel is "Rommel, Erwin," below which is attached a red, black and silver tasseled cord. The "Intermstab," as the work-a-day service baton was called, derived in form and principle from the time of Kaiser Wilhelm the Second, before World War I. It rested on no particular tradition and was shaped along the lines of a riding crop, with a massive golden royal crown for a pommel. In the Third Reich, a service baton was granted for the first time on April 20, 1936, to Werner von Blomberg, who was also the first Field Marshall under Hitler. It was meant to be an emblem of rank for daily use in order to save wear and tear on the cumbersome, delicate, vulnerable, and very costly ceremonial baton.
A similar replica of another Field Marshall's baton recently sold in Germany for 12,000 euros.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000.
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| Realized
$5,750 |
Lot 271 |
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Autograph Draft of Mussolini's Speech Announcing the Invasison of Ethiopia (1883-1945) Italian dictator. Autograph draft manuscript of his address "Discorso della mobilitazione," ANNOUNCING THE ITALIAN INVASION OF ETHIOPIA, delivered October 2, 1935, 4 pp on rectos only (incomplete at end), in Italian, 11 x 9". A 2½ x 2¼" section has been cut from top left of each page to remove a decorative emblem. Boldly penned in black ink, with numerous holograph corrections in Mussolini's hand.
A rare draft of one of Mussolini's most significant public addresses, announcing and justifying the invasion of Italy's former African colony. As recently as September 19345, Italy had reaffirmed an existing treaty with Ethiopia, ruled by Emperor Haile Selassie. Mussolini used a minor border skirmish in December 1934 to to justify an attack, and when the League of Nations was called in to mediate, Mussolini realized that it would do nothing in the face of further agression from Italy. He attacked Ethiopia from Eritrea and Italian Somaliland on October 3, 1935. This address, which was broadcast to the nation over loudspeakers, anounces, defends and glorifies the invasion, while studiously avoiding an actual declaration of war. Using mustard gas and incendiary bombs against military and civilian targets, the Italian army gained control of Ethiopia in seven months and forced Haile Selassie into exile in May 1836. Selassie issued this chilling prediction to the world: "It is us today. It will be you tomorrow." Published (with considerable differences) in Scritte e discorsi , 1935, 9:218-220 and Scritti politici, ed. Santarelli, 1979, pp. 292-294.
The speech says, in part: "Blackshirts of revolution, men and women of all Italy, Italians all over the world….A solemn hour is about to strike in the history of the country. Twenty million Italians are…gathered the squares of all Italy….this manifestation signifies that the tie between Italy and fascism is perfect, absolute, unalterable….For many months the wheel of destiny…moves toward the goal….and nothing can stop it now. It is not only an army marching towards its goal, but it is 44 million Italians marching in unity behind this army. Because the blackest of injustices is being attempted against them, that of taking from them their place in the sun. When in 1915 Italy threw in her fate with that of the Allies…how many promises were heard? But after the common victory, which cost Italy 600,000 dead, 400,000 lost, one million wounded,when peace was being discussed around the table only the crumbs of a rich colonial booty were left for us to pick up. For 13 years we have been patient while the circle tightened around us at the hands of those who wish to suffocate us. We have been patient with Ethiopia for 40 years. It is enough now. the League of Nations…dares talk of sanctions, but…I refuse to believe that the authentic people of France will join in supporting sanctions against Italy….And until there is proof to the contrary, I refuse to believe that the authentic people of Britain will want to spill blood and send Europe into a catastrophe for the sake of a barbarian country, unworthy of ranking among civilized nations….To acts of war, we shall answer with acts of war….I shall do everything in my power to prevent a colonial conflict from taking on the aspect and weight of a European war….Italy entirely and universally Fascist! The Italy of the blackshirt revolution, rise to your feet; let the cry of your determination rise to the skies and reach our soldiers in East Africa. Let it be a comfort to those who are about to fight…an encouragement to our friends and a warning to our enemies…."
Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000.
Ex Forbes Collection, Christie's, Lot 199, November, 2005.
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| Realized
$11,500 |
Lot 272 |
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U.S.S. Enterprise - Original Flag Flown on Ship, Sailor's Uniform & Papers. A rare United States Flag that was originally flown on the U.S.S. Enterprise CV-6, the World War II aircraft carrier, one of only three documented flags known to have flown on the Enterprise (the other two are owned by the U.S.S. Enterprise Association and by a private company in Scottsdale, Arizona). Our flag, measuring 5 feet. 5 inches by 9 feet 9 inches, was obtained from the family of Seaman First Class Raymond Clinton Boose, who served on the U.S.S. Enterprise from July 26, 1944 until November 13, 1945. The Enterprise Flag was given to Boose when he transferred off of the Enterprise in November 1945. Along with the Enterprise flag are Boose's Navy outfit top, sailor's hat, blue woolen winter overcoat, spats, U.S. Navy ID card, discharge card and paper, candid photos, Navy handbook ("How to Survive on Land and Sea"), a thank-you letter from Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal, a Navy Department letter authorizing Boose to wear a Navy Unit Commendation riibbon, all accompanied by a sworn affadavit from Boose's grandson. In addition to these original materials, numerous copies of records pertaining to Boose's service are provided. We have added copies of four photographs taken by Benjamin Maycheck, Chief Naval Photographer of the U.S.S. Enterprise: one of the Enterprise at sea with planes on the deck, one showing the ceremony for a sailor who has been killed and whose body is about to be committed to the deep, one of Admiral Halsy with the Enterprise citation, and one listing all of the Enterprise's citations (the most of any ship during World War II).
Boose served on board the U.S.S. Enterprise during the following engagements: Attacks on Luzon and enemy shipping in the Philippine Islands (21 Oct.-19 Nov. '44); Attack on Yap Island (22 Nov. '44); Occupation and defense of Luzon. Attacks on Nansie Shoto, Formosa, Hong Kong and French-Indo China (19 Feb.-9 Mar. 1945); Attacks on Kyushu and Japanese Empire (18-19 Mar. & 13-14 May 1945); Occupation and defense of Okinawa (8-13 Apr. & 7-12 May 1945). Boose was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, American Theater Presidential Unit Citation and Victory Medals. He also received a special commendation from Captain Grover B.H. Hall of the Enterprise for "splendid and brave performance of duty under prolonged air attack on 20 March 1945 in Japanese waters while attached to the U.S.S. Enterprise"; a copy of the Navy record mentioning this commendation is included. To truly appreciate this superb lot, interested parties should examine it in person.
The affadavit from Boose's grandson describes an incident which may have been the reason Boose was given the flag when he was transferred from the Enterprise: "In March of 1945 my grandfather was stationed as a lookout on the bridge of the Enterprise during attacks on Kyushu and the Island of Japan. During these engagements a Japanese aircraft dropped a 500 pound bomb on the flight deck just below the tower. This explosion knocked my grandfather backward landing on top of Enterprise Captain Grover B.H. Hall." Both the captain and the sailor survived with quite a memory!
Estimated Value $20,000 - 30,000.
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| Unsold |
Lot 273 |
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Army Air Force European Air Transport Service Photo Album. A very large format (24" X 15"), ca. late 1940s custom made photo album, specially prepared for Brigadier General Lucas V. Beau, Commanding General. Featuring 340+ photos of the Army Air Force operated European Air Transport Service (EATS) during the immediate post-WW2 period in Europe. Numerous large photos of officers and aircraft. Smaller photos featuring many different types of airplanes, airport ground vehicles, fire fighting equipment, airports, dignitaries, officers, enlisted men and various duties and events, etc. Custom made album cover in red pebble grained leather with gilt EATS emblem on front; slight wear and minor age staining, internally excellent. A fascinating and scarce group of historical period photos virtually impossible to duplicate.
Estimated Value $350 - 450.
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| Unsold |
Lot 274 |
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"A Message About Food From the President of the United States". 26 x 18½" poster, white print on blue background, 1945, U.S. Government Printing Office, with a message from President Truman urging Americans to help increase the nation's food supply. One tiny fold tear; normal folds. With envelope from the Office of War Information, addressed to Postmaster, Millburn, J.J.
Estimated Value $150 - 200.
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| Unsold |
Lot 275 |
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Chennault, Claire L (1890-1958) Armerican Army aviator who established the volunteer-staffed Flying Tigers to fight the Japanese invasion of China. He has been unofficially credited with over 40 "kills." Autograph letter signed ("Claire") on "Hotel Frances, Monroe, LA" letterhead, 1 page, 11x8½", Monroe, Louisiana, Sept. 13, 1945. Penned aboard an airplane to "Peggy," a lady friend. In part: "…We are en route to Washington, riding the air currents….Ground speed well over 200 miles per hour and I hope the old crate holds together. I've sure had a marvellous week in La. Didn't realize I was so popular or that perfect strangers could be so kind and Friendly. Both New Orlelans and Monroe had the largest crowds in history and everybody seemed to be waving at me. I didn't feel like a returned hero but more like a long absent member of a big family coming home….I was urged…to say that I would run for governor or senator but refused, of course. Still don't think I would like politics…." Fine condition.
Estimated Value $400 - 600.
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| Realized
$690 |
Lot 276 |
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Chennault, Claire L. Autograph letter signed "CLC' at the end and "Maj. Gen. C.L.C." and "General Chennault" in the text, 1 page, 10 x 8" (China), May 26, 1944. To "Peggy," a lady friend, mentioning that he had read "a condensation of [Eve] Curie's 'A Journey Among Warriors'. I liked Eve…but she didn't stay around long enough to hear all of my story. She seemed to be just a bit frightened….I am thankful that I have no tendency to become over excited or frighted by realities--of war or peace…." He also asks Peggy to do some shopping for "the wife of one of my civillian [sic] technicians (radio) [who] has been isolated in Free China for three years…." and gives instructions on where to send the package. Fine condition.
Estimated Value $300 - 500.
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| Unsold |
Lot 277 |
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Iwo Jima Survivor Bradley Gives Address of Gagnon and Hayes (1923-94) Longest surviving member of the six men who raised the second American flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima on February 23. 1945; the moment was immortalized by Joe Rosenthal's photograph. Autograph letter signed "John H. Bradley," one page, 6½ x 5¼", Milwaukee, Wisconsin, February 14, 1946. Written to R.L. Moore in Philadelphia, just under a year after the historic event: "I want to thank you very kindly for your very nice gift. That was very kind of you to remember me in that way. The names of the two survivors now in the U.S. are as follows: Rene A. Gagnon / 43 Hollis / Manchester, N.H. / Ira H. Hayes / Bapchule, Arizona…." Fine condition. Accompanied by the transmittal envelope, postmarked from Appleton, Wis. on Feb. 16, 1946 and carrying a 3¢ stamp (Scott #929) issued in 1945 commemorating the flag raising and by a 9 x 10" commemorative poster with an unused 3¢ stamp. An amazing letter written by one Iwo Jima survivor and naming the other two.
In addition to Bradley, Gagnon, and Hayes, Corporal Harlon Henry Block, Pfc. Frank R. Sousley, and Sergeant Michael Strank also helped to raise the flag and are pictured in Rosenthal's photo, but they were killed in action on Iwo Jima before the island was secured on March 26th. Iwo Jima (February 19-March 26, 1945) was the only Marine battle where the American casualties (26,000) exceeded the Japanese casualties, which included most of the 22,000 defending the island.
Estimated Value $500 - 1,000.
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| Realized
$288 |
Lot 278 |
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Jeppson, Morris. Black and white laser photo of one of the few buildings left standing in Hiroshima after the atomic bomb was dropped, with a handwritten, signed explanation by Jeppson of the radiation effect of the atomic bomb: "What was not known was the radiation effect. Actually there are two - primary high energy x-rays and gamma rays at the time of the explosion. This burned people and combustible materials--limited to a range of thousands of feet. Then there were longer lived radioactive fall out of radioactive fission products from the V235 nuclear explosive. Tests years afterward showed that winds could carry fusion products for many miles to possibly contaminate people and food supplies. Morris Jeppson / Weapon Test Officer / Enola Gay Mission / Hiroshima 6 Aug. 1945." Very fine.
Estimated Value $900 - 1,100.
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| Realized
$1,064 |
Lot 279 |
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Jeppson, Morris R (1923 -) Air Force officer who was the Weapon Test Officer on the Enola Gay; one of only two men to have been both at Los Alamos developing the atomic bomb and in the plane dropping the bomb over Hiroshima. Autograph letter signed, 2pp, 11x8½", n.p., n.d. Jeppson answers questions from an unidentified correspondent about his work at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. He states that he was recruited by Los Alamos in November 1944 and describes his work with Dr. Edward Doll "who was developing the fuzing [sic] system, including radar height detection radar, for weapons being developed by Los Alamos." He describes a flight he took with Dr. Robert Oppenheimer, "the father of the Los Alamos project…." and says that he has no regrets about Hiroshima: "For me, the two objectives of ending the war and eliminating an invasion of Japan were realized. Accomplishment of these objectives surely prevented much more suffering and loss of lives." Very fine. Written and signed in blue ink.
Estimated Value $500 - 600.
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| Unsold |
Lot 280 |
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Very Rare War-date Book Signed by British Field Marshall Montgomery (1887-1976) British Field Marshall who commenced the drive at El Alamein that ultimately drove Rommel from North Africa. He waa also involved in the invasions of Sicily and France. Very rare war-date book Poems From the Desert (London: George G. Harrap, 1944), signed ("B.L. Montgomery General") on the limitation page, with signed original frontispiece engraving by illustrator Stephen Gordon. Bound in one-quarter navy leather with tan covers, shield decoration on front andgilt title on spine, 46 pp, limited edition no. 4/110., with Foreword by Montgomery. A fine collection of 27 poems, all but one of which were chosen from entries to a competition announced in the Christmas 1942 issue of the Crusader, the Eighth Army's weekly paper. Only poems actually written in the Western Desert were to be submitted. The 27th poem is titled "A Soldier--His Prayer"; a parenthetical note under the title states, "This anonymous poem was blown by the wind into a slit trench at El Agheila during a heavy bombardment"). Spine ends a bit rubbed, else very good and a nearly impossible book to find.
Estimated Value $400 - 600.
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| Realized
$276 |
Lot 281 |
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USA Pearl Harbor Survivors Medal. Official bronze medal, 38mm, struck at the US Mint to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Obverse: Graphic scene of burning Battleship Row, with inscription; Reverse: Eagle holding olive branch with Rossevelt's famous quote (see below). These medals were awarded only to those who were at Pearl Harbor on that "date which will live in infamy". Choice Mint State in original plush case of issue.
Estimated Value $100 - 200.
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| Unsold |
Lot 282 |
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Van Kirk, Theodore "Dutch" - Signed Book on Limiting Nuclear Proliferation. "The International Control of Atomic Energy: Scientific Information Transmitted to the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission June 14, 1946- October 14, 1946." Book Prepared by The Department of State, 9 x 6", 195 pp, soft cover. Inscribed and signed by Theodore Van Kirk, navigator of the Enola Gay, which dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Van Kirk writes on the half-title page: "As stated on p. 164, The best control measure for the prevention of atomic bomb manufacture are those intended to prevent the accumulation of the essential fissionable materials. Theodore Van Kirk - Navigator - Enola Gay / 6 Aug. 1945" This was one of the first official reports to the U. N on controlling the proliferation of the A Bomb.
Estimated Value $600 - 700.
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| Unsold |
Lot 283 |
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Van Kirk, Theodore J. "Dutch" (1921 -) Navigator of the Enola Gay when it dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, August 6, 1945. Color laser photo of Hiroshima after the bomb fell, 11 x 8½", with an autograph description by Van Kirk of dropping the bomb: "As we approached the target I worked closely with the bombardier, Tom Ferebee, to confirm the winds and the arming point. The bomb fell away….we felt two shock waves from the explosion….we saw a large white cloud, the entire city of Hiroshima was under the cloud. The cloud was boiling up, mushrooming. It was a sight no one had ever seen before. We had a job to do, and we did it. Signed "Theodore J "Dutch Van Kirk / Navigator - Enola Gay / 6 Aug. 1945." Very fine.
Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,700.
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| Realized
$1,610 |
Lot 284 |
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WW 2, Korea, Vietnam Marine Corps Officer’s Medal, Document & Sword Group. A fantastic group of items, formerly the property of Marine Corps Captain Thomas Edward Bruce, for service during WW2, the Korean War and Vietnam, starting as an enlisted man and rising to captain. The ensemble consists of his framed Legion of Merit with V and Navy Commendation Medal with V, group of 14 framed medals (all unnamed as issued), a named engraved Officer’s Mameluke Sword, three photo albums, and lots of official paperwork. Photo albums have numerous photos, clippings, and memorabilia. The large collection of documents includes the citations for valor awards (the original Navy Commendation document is hand signed by Admiral Spruance), promotion documents (one hand signed by Navy Secretary Chafee), large and small photos, orders, and a bonanza of other misc. paperwork and correspondence. He received his Commendation Ribbon (later a medal when issued) with a "V" for valor for manning a heavy machine gun on the Light Cruiser U.S.S. St. Louis during Kamikaze attacks off Leyte and Okinawa. His "V" for valor on the Legion of Merit medal was for service in Vietnam‘s An Hua Province, where he established a supply base and rendered aid to wounded Marines while under rocket and mortar attack. The Marine Corps officer’s sword, overall length 36.75 inches, is a high quality example with a German made blade marked Conqueror, featuring beautiful etched engraved panels with Captain Bruce's name, this in a polished metal scabbard with gilt fittings, all in excellent condition. A very desirable Marine Corps group covering the major conflicts of the mid-twentieth century. With the passage of time, original personal archives such as this one have become quite scarce. Should be viewed if possible, but the absentee winning bidder should not be disappointed.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250.
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| Unsold |
Lot 285 |
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WW II Navy Binoculars. World War II navy binoculars with original hard rubber case. It has 7x50 coated optics by Bausch and Lomb. The markings are: "U.S. Navy, BU Ships, Mark 28, Mod. O, 171695, 1943." Excellent condition.
Estimated Value $150 - 250.
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| Realized
$196 |
Lot 286 |
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WW2 Japanese Navy Officer’s Sword. Overall length 38 inches with a machine made wartime blade; shinogi-zukuri type with a gunome (undulating) temper line, 25¾" cutting edge. Tang is unsigned with one mounting hole. Woven silk wrapped handle with sharkskin underlay. Navy type bronze tsuba with rayed seppas; fittings in gilt bronze. Black lacquered scabbard with black leather field cover and single swivel type ring hanger. Some light rust spots and staining on blade, otherwise superior condition for this popular second world war sword.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250.
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| Unsold |
Lot 287 |
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WW2 Through 1950’s U.S. Navy Officer’s Sword. Length 35 inches with a handsomely etched 29 inch blade, having floral and maritime thematic decoration. Maker marked by the "Boston Uniform Co." and also "Germany Stainless". Simulated ray skin grip with twisted wire wrapping. Includes original leather covered scabbard. The heavy gilding on the hilt and scabbard fittings is fresh and bright. Excellent nearly new condition, very attractive and among the "mintiest" we have offered.
Estimated Value $250 - 350.
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| Realized
$403 |
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