Description:

Military Lot

>Military Dealers' Lot, 7 Pieces, Including Pershing, Butler, Nimitz, Etc.

 

A splendid dealers' lot of 20+ autographs of nineteenth- and twentieth-century military commanders who participated in conflicts ranging from the Civil War to the Korean War. 7 pieces total, including signed letters, documents, and postal covers. A select list of signatories, in alphabetical order, includes: Omar Bradley; Benjamin Butler; Edgar and Milton Eisenhower; Chester Nimitz; John Pershing; Matthew Ridgway; and a slew of other admirals and generals.

 

The lot consists of:

 

1. 1p TLS signed by World War I commander John J. "Black Jack" Pershing (1860-1948) as "John JPershing" at center. Dated September 17, 1942 and on "John J. Pershing / Washington" letterhead. In part: "Many, many thanks for your message of good wishes for my birthday - the 82nd." Expected paper folds and scattered discoloration, else near fine. 7.25" x 10.5".

 

2. Calling card signed by Civil War commander Benjamin F. Butler (1818-1893) as "Benj. F Butler / Mass". Inscribed in another hand above "Delayed by accident to arm". Bold and dark signature. Minor mounting traces verso. 3.625" x 2.5".

 

3. 1p ALS inscribed overall and signed with rank by World War II commander Chester W. Nimitz (1885-1966) as "C.W. Nimitz / Fleet Admiral, USN" at bottom. The February 4, 1948 letter is accompanied by an envelope signed by Fleet Admiral Nimitz and his wife Catherine F. Nimitz (1892-1979) as "C.W. Nimitz" and "Catherine F. Nimitz" respectively. The envelope, bearing a cancelled 3 cent U.S. "Win the War" eagle stamp, was postmarked from Nimitz, West Virginia on September 10, 1945. Both items are addressed to the same recipient in Riverside, California. Very good to near fine.

 

4. First Day Cover envelope commemorating the 10th anniversary of the North American Treaty Organization (NATO) signed by 5 of its early leaders. Bearing a 4 cent U.S. "NATO, United for Freedom" stamp, and postmarked from Washington, D.C. on April 1, 1959. Near fine. Signatories include, from top to bottom:

 

- Matthew B. Ridgway (1895-1993), Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, 1952-1953, as "M.B. Ridgway";

 

- Lyman L. Lemnitzer (1899-1988), Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, 1963-1969 as "L.L. Lemnitzer";

 

- Lauris Norstad (1907-1988), Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, 1956-1963, as "Lauris Norstad";

 

- Alfred M. Gruenther (1899-1983), Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, 1953-1956, as "Alfred M. Gruenther";

 

- Andrew J. Goodpaster (1915-2005), Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, 1969-1974, as "Andrew J Goodpaster"

 

5. First Day Cover envelope commemorating the life of 34th U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had died in March 1969, signed by 12 of his Washington, D.C. and Abilene, Kansas honorary pallbearers. Bearing a cancelled 6 cent U.S. stamp and postmarked from Washington, D.C. on August 6, 1970. Near fine. 6.5" x 3.625". Signatories include, from top to bottom:

 

- Milton Eisenhower (1899-1985), Dwight's younger brother, as "Milton SEisenhower";

 

- Admiral Lewis L. Strauss (1896-1974) as "Lewis L Strauss";

 

- General J. Lawton Collins (1896-1987) as "J Lawton Collins";

 

- Admiral George W. Anderson (1906-1992) as "George W. Anderson";

 

- General Wade H. Haislip (1889-1971) as "Wade H. Haislip";

 

- Colonel G. Gordon Moore, Dwight's brother-in-law, as "G Gordon Moore";

 

 - General Lauris Norstad (1907-1988) as "Lauris Norstad";

 

-  General Leonard D. Heaton (1902-1983) as "Leonard D Heaton";

 

- General Omar N. Bradley (1893-1981) as "Omar N Bradley";

 

- General Alfred M. Gruenther (1899-1983) as "Alfred M. Gruenther";

 

- Master Sergeant John A. Moaney, Jr. (1914-1978), Dwight's longtime aide, as "John Moaney";

 

- Edgar Eisenhower (1889-1971), Dwight's older brother, as "Edgar Eisenhower"

 

6. Bullseye Military Airlift Command certificate recording flight information from a Houston to Houston flight signed by Lieutenant Colonel Walbrook Swank (1910-2008), World War II and Korean War commander, as "Lt. Col Swank". Also inscribed "'Bullseye' Landed or Overflew 38 Countries. Crossed Equator 6 Times." Near fine. 5" x 8".

 

7. 3pp ALS inscribed overall and 2x signed by Rear Admiral Seaton Schroeder (1849-1922), the first time as "Seaton Schroeder" at the bottom of the third page, and the second time by his initials "S.S." in the postscript. Written "off Guantanamo Bay" on January 22, [1911]. On bifold stationery with "United States Atlantic Fleet, / U.S.S. Connecticut, Flagship" letterhead.

 

In the letter addressed to Rear Admiral Charles Stillman Sperry (1847-1911), Schroeder wrote in part: "The men, splendid young fellows but very green, require a great deal of special training that they have initially in the French and English armies, and it is difficult to minister to the fleet's wants in these respects…" It is unclear whether Schroeder's letter reached Sperry before the latter's death the very day the letter was postmarked in Washington, D.C.

 

Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope with numerous handstamps and addressees, as well as a 10pp printed copy entitled "United States Atlantic Fleet, / U.S.S. Connecticut, Flagship, / Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, / January 21, 1911" with a subject heading of "Battle Plan Exercises" signed in print by Seaton Schroeder. The war games involved torpedo practice and battle formation exercises for almost 20 battleships. A few chipped edges and expected folds, else near fine.

 

This lot 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.

 

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