Description:

Enola Gay
various, various
Archive Re: Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima, Group of 4 ALSs and 1 Signed Photo
Archive

A collection of four handwritten letters along with a signed photograph relating to the Enola Gay and the atomic bomb. Includes an autograph letter signed by Paul Tibbets, the pilot of the Enola Gay; an autograph letter signed by Dutch van Kirk, the navigator; and two autograph letters signed by George "Bob" Caron, the tail gunner. With a black and white photograph of the Enola Gay signed by Paul Tibbets, Thomas Ferebee, Theodore Van Kirk, George Caron, and Jacob Beser. All but one of the letters has flattened folds. Faint toning and soiling. The photograph has minor corner bumping. All boldly signed.

Includes the following:
1. Signed Photograph of the Enola Gay. A black and white image, measuring 8" x 10", n.p., ca. 1990-91. Signed by Captain Tibbets, Bombardier Ferebee, Navigator Van Kirk, Tail Gunner Caron, and Radar Operator Beser.

2. Paul Tibbets Autograph Letter Signed "Paul." 2pp, measuring 8.5" x 11", n.p., dated September 29, 1993. Addressed to "Joe", discussing the subject of cyanide capsules: "As we were waiting for ‘time to board' the plane the group surgeon handed me the 12 capsules. I called the crew together and offered them the opportunity to take one or leave them with me until an emergency developed. Capt. Parsons took one… I suggested to Caron that he do the same because of his isolation back in the tail gunners position. On our return I asked for the return of the capsules. The flight surgeon took them back from me. Sweeney and Crew were offered the same…."

3. Theodore Van Kirk Autograph Letter Signed "Dutch." 1p, measuring 8.5" x 11", n.p., dated February 19, 1994. Addressed to "Joe" on the subject of POWs: "…Have never heard officially that Jap's issued order to kill prisoners. Have heard directly from some POW's that they were moved to areas in potential invasion sites. I've been made an honorary member of the Aug 15, 1945 foundation. This is made up of mostly Dutch people captured in the East Indies and held in camps by the Japs. I'll inquire of their membership…."

4. Bob Caron Autograph Letter Signed "Bob" and "Col. George R. (Bob) Caron, CAF." 4pp, measuring 6" x 9", n.p., dated December 4, 1978. Addressed to "Randall" and describing the Enola Gay's flight: "... The only guns on the Enola Gay were a pair of 50 caliber in a tail turret. I didn't know if we would have fighter opposition but if there was, my job, primarily, was to get them before they got us. I feel I would have tried like hell to do the best I could to accomplish that. As far as enemy bullets hitting the A Bomb - who knows? We all wore extra dark polaroid glasses for the flash. We did not fly thru the cloud as we were more concerned with getting away from the blast. It would have been foolish to fly thru the cloud with its radioactivity. There are two recent books out which tell the story really well. ‘Enola Gay' by Thomas & Witts is now out in paperback and ‘The Tibbets Story' just came out in hardcover. Both very enlightening…."

5. Bob Caron Autograph Letter Signed "George R. Caron (Colonel Gramps)." 2pp, measuring 6" x 9", n.p., dated July 4, 1980. Addressed to "Tina" discussing the impact of the bomb on the war: "Time tends to dim some details, but, on the return flight from Hiroshima, I recall saying… ‘we may have won the war'. That mission and the one to Nagasaki may have served to convince Japan that it was time to surrender. It's very possible the Japanese would have fought on much longer and harder. Many more lives would have been lost on both sides…I've received many letters from men who were preparing for the invasion of Japan. Each felt they would not have made it through the war..."

Please see our terms and conditions of sale regarding lots containing 5 items or more.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
  • Medium: Archive

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

April 23, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000