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Sale 52
Lot 267
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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Lot 269
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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Lot 734
Soviet Program, c1977, "STRIZH" ("Swift") Full Pressure Suit (aka SOKOL III) was developed for the Russian "BURAN" Space Shuttle Program. This suit was used in training as no manned flights were flown in the program. This suit (No. GP-8M-11-1280013) is No. 7 of only 18 manufactured. Suit No. 1 is on display at the Moscow Memorial Museum of Space Exploration.
This olive colored suit is an evolutionary version of the SOKOL-KV-2 rescue suit and was made specifically for use on the Buran program. It has many of the features of the KV-2 suit including the double V-zip closure, umbilical life support interfaces for electrical, air and coolant lines with attaches cables and connectors. detachable gloves, pressure guage on the left wrist, ejection seat harness/connectors, etc. The suit has integrated feet but also includes black leather lace/zip boots that attach over the integrated feet so the pilot can walk on earth. This prevents the canvas feet from getting worn on the ground. ALSO included is the black leather/mesh communications headset designed for use with this suit.
Complete suits of this type are almost never available for public purchase.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000.
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Lot 233
Declaration of Independence - Peter Force Rice Paper Copy. In 1823, William J. Stone was commissioned by Congress to create a copperplate from which facsimile copies of the Declaration could be made. He did this by wetting the original document and transferring some of the original ink to the copperplate. From this plate, Stone printed 201 copies on parchment, which were given to President James Monroe, original Signers, members of Congress, colleges and institutions, etc. Stone's personal copy is in the Smithsonian. Only 31 of Stone's original 201 copies are known to exist; nineteen of these reside in museums and examples are rarely offered for sale.
In 1843, Congress authorized Peter Force to make up to 1500 rice-paper copies of the Declaration from the original Stone copperplate, to be included in his American Archives, which Force projected to be a 20-volume series of primary sources of American history from the 17th century to 1789. The work was begun under contract with the Department of State and by Act of Congress but Force stopped work on the project when further funding was not forthcoming. Subscriptions were fewer than expected, and the actual number of copies printed is unknown, ranging from 500 to around 1,000. It is not known how many of these copies have survived.
This rice paper copy, from Peter Force's American Archives, measures 31 x 25½ inches. Since Peter Force used Stone's copperplate, "W.J. Stone S.C. WASHN" is engraved below the first row of names. This copy of the Declaration is toned all over and has some edge tears which are presently being treated by a conservator from the Huntington Library (paid for by the consignor); the treatment will be finished by May 11. These Declarations are extremely desirable. The last several copies to come on the market have sold for over $30,000.
Estimated Value $20,000 - 30,000.
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Lot 509
COMPLETE PSITTACOSAURUS DINOSAUR. Psittacosaurus is a very important dinosaur that lived between 120-130 million years ago in Liaoning Province, Central Asia. Psittacosaurus is important as being the oldest ancestor of the famous horned dinosaurs such as Triceratops. Psittacosaurus did not have horns but did possess a horned beak and bony Jugals (back of the upper jaw) which are characteristic of only ceroptopsian (horned) dinosaurs. Psittacosaurus was a very small dinosaur being only 4-5 feet long as an adult. This 24 inch long juvenile is the smallest mounted dinosaur ever offered at auction. The great preservation of the small delicate bones occurred because this dinosaur was instantly buried under volcanic ash over 120 million years ago, a sort of dinosaurean Pompei It has been mounted in the life-like position of the Psittacosaur as displayed in the New York Museum of Natural History and has no external armature but has thin rods inserted in the bones, stands on rods in its feet and makes for a costly but amazing display. Approximately 70-75 percent of the dinosaur is real bone including all of the legs, claws, body, vertebrae, skull with only the ribs, neural spines and the end of the tail being professionally cast. Most dinosaurs in museums that are real usually contain only 10-40 per cent real bone. The all important skull is 2.5X2.5 inches in good condition (not distorted or compressed) with six reel teeth on one side of the jaw. This small complete dinosaur would make an excellent desk top display and comes with instructions for easy assemblage in the provided wooden base (takes about 5 minutes) as there are seven sections that can be easily removed for study, the four legs, body, tail, and skull. The skull can be removed for study or to show amazed friends.
Add $75 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 14,000.
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Lot 580
Apollo 12, 1969, FLOWN "Lunar Surface" United States Flag (17x12") This large United States flag is mounted on a presentation board (20x16") that is crew-signed at the bottom (Charles Conrad, Dick Gordon, Alan Bean). The descriptive plaque reads: "Sailed with Yankee Clipper/ and Intrepid to the Ocean of Storms / November 1969". Lunar surface items, from any flight, are considered tops among space memorabilia collectibles. A multicolor Richard Gordon, hand-signed and typed certificate of authenticity is included that reads, in part: "This American flag flew with Conrad, Gordon and Bean aboard Apollo XII - Yankee Clipper making the final descent to the Lunar Surface, Ocean of Storms, aboard Intrepid November 14-24, 1969. It is from my personal collection". By far, fewer of these large, rather than the usual, smaller, 6x9" size flags were flown on any lunar flight. An important addition to any collection.
Estimated Value $7,500 - 10,000.
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Lot 54
Andrew Jackson's Personal, Signed Copy of The Letters of Junius With Three Signatures (1767-1845) 7th President of the United States (1829-1837). The Letters of the Celebrated Junius. A More Complete Edition Than Any Yet Published. Andrew Jackson's personal copy, London: 1783, 2 vols. 12 mo. Signed by Jackson on the front free pastedown of Vol. I, and at the top of the title page of Vol. II; additionally, a clipped signature with the date May 4th 1815 is tipped to the front pastedown of Vol. II. Contemporary calf, rebacked. Housed in a custom-made case, calf with gold border and lettering on cover and spine; four raised bands and decorative scrolls; covers of case with some scuff marks.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 20,000.
Ex Sotheby's New York, Oct. 29, 1996, lot 17, realized $16,000. Previously: Geoffrey Hornby - Swann sale Jen. 16, 1964, lot 198; Goodspeed's 1964 - Victor & Irene Jacobs.
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Lot 552
Mercury Program Replica Mercury Space Suit. This high quality replica space suit by the "Global Effects" Co. consists of 1) the the aluminized silver cover layer complete with orange collar, neck ring, cables, pressure guage, zippers, buckles, etc, 2) the white helmet with moveable clear visor, neck ring, interior pads and simulated earphones with communications cable, 3) a pair of boots with crepe soles, snaps, buckles and adjustable laces and 5) a pair of gloves with zipper connectors, leather palms and orange interiors.
This suit is a replica of Wally' Schirra's Mercury suit simulating the improved shoulder evolution of the suit. According to U.S. Spacesuits by Thomas and McMann,"…the function of the B. F. Goodrich Mercury suits was to provide reasonable unpressurized comfort…there were no hard details or unfriendly shapes to cause uncomfortable contact points. The outer layer was aluminized and provided bladder protection and structural restraint. The suits were tight fitting and custom made to minimize ressurized volume to be overcome by movement and to fit better in the cramped cabin of the Mercury capsule…"
There are virtually no original Mercury spacesuits (or any other US spacesuits) in private hands as ownrship of them is claimed by NASA. A high quality replica such as this one will make an important addition to any collection.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000.
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Lot 555
Apollo Program, 1969-1972, Complete "Moonwalkers" Autographs. These 12 men are members of one of the most exclusive clubs in the world. They are the only men to ever have walked on the lunar surface. Included are Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11), Charles Conrad and Alan Bean (Apollo 12), Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14), Dave Scott and Jim Irwin (Apollo 15), John Young and Charlie Duke (Apollo 16) and Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt (Apollo 17).
They have all signed on the mat (17x13", minor corner bends) surrounding a color photo of Gene Cernan, the last man to step off of the lunar surface, saluting the US flag. All autographs are boldly signed in black. Included are certificates of authenticity for the Dave Scott (Aurora Galleries) and John Young (NovaSpace) autographs. Having a complete set of "Moonwalker" autographs on one piece of memorabilia is one of the Holy Grails of space autograph collecting. This piece is sure to please even the most discriminating collector.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000.
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Lot 271
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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Lot 593
Apollo 17, "Scale Replica" A7LB "Lunar Extravehicular Mobility Unit" (EMU). This high quality space suit is a replica of the suit astronaut Gene Cernan wore on the lunar surface during Apollo 17. Although both the suit, helmet and the PLSS (life support system) are just shells of the complex originals, at first glance they are nearly identical to the real thing.
According to the 2006 book US Spacesuits by Thomas and McMann, "…The A7LB suit was introduced as part of the Apollo 15 EMU and differed from the Apolo 14 A7L in the entry zipper orientation, addition of neck and waist joints, use of lower torque shoulder joints," etc.
This suit consists of 1) the white, simulated beta cloth (washable sail cloth) suit itself with detailed annodized aluminum hose fittings, US and NASA shoulder patches and the requisit hoses, zippers and fasteners. It is entered through a horizontal zipper around the back of the waist., 2) a detachable PLSS with multiple ID/instruction labels, a US flag, a NASA patch and assorted connectors, 3) a PLSS activator on the chest with detailed replica dials, switches, etc., 4) a simulated articulated EVA helmet with sun visor only, extendable sun blast shields and white skirts around the locking ring, 5) a pair of simulated EVA gloves, with a pair of knitted gloves that were designed to be worn inside the EVA pressure gloves, and 6) a pair of replica EVA boots (5 lbs. each).
This "Cernan-scale" suit was manufactured by the Guard-Lee, Inc. of Florida and was designed to be worn for up to 13 hours, although a maximum of one hour is recommended. To facilitate this, there are two battery operationed fans located in the PLSS which also has a place for frozen gel packs to be added for air conditioning. A battery is also in the PLSS that is designed to power the fans for up to 13 hours after which it can be replaced (recommended). There is also a microphone powered off the battery, which can be run into the helmet for external communication. The fan control is on the chest pack and the microphone switch is on the PLSS. There may be a small fault or two and/or a missing connector, but these should be available from the manufacturer if necessary. The suit would appear to be in excellent overall condition.
The suit comes with an instructional video to show the order of the procedures necessary to both enter and leave the suit. This is definitely a two man job, but, according to the video, once in the suit, it is comfortable and movement is easy. This suit is still being sold by Guard-Lee on a custom order basis. Their asking price is $40.000/50,000. Given that this suit is "slightly" used, we don't anticipate it selling for the showroom, replacement price, but, as the old saying goes, they aren't making them as well today as they did some years ago. If you appreciate a quality product and are about Gene Cernan's size (as of 1972)., this suit should fit you, and your collection, like a glove.
Estimated Value $25,000 - 30,000.
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Lot 112
Washington, George. Choice full envelope franked "Free Go: Washington," 3¼ x 5¾" unopened, 7½ x 9½" opened, c. 1786, addressed entirely in Washington's hand to "Col. Clem Biddle Philadelphia." Boldly penned and signed. Minor waterstaining. Ideal for display. Of historical note, Biddle (1740-1814), known as "The Quaker General" led "Quaker Blues" against the British and fought under Nathaniel Greene during the Revolutionary War.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 10,000.
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