Lot 310

Paul Tibbets Refuses Autograph & Handwrites Entire Enola Gay Crew! W/ Signed Post-it!

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Paul Tibbets Refuses Autograph & Handwrites Entire Enola Gay Crew! W/ Signed Post-it!

Estimate: $300 - $400

Starting Bid: $100

(0 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Enola Gay
n.p., n.d.
Paul Tibbets Refuses Autograph & Handwrites Entire Enola Gay Crew! W/ Signed Post-it!
Photograph

Black-and-white vintage photograph depicting the Enola Gay crew of the U.S. Army Air Forces posed in front of their B-29 aircraft. The image is extensively annotated in blue ink, with individual identifications written directly on the photograph in the hand of Paul W. Tibbets, labeling multiple crew members. Importantly, Tibbets did not sign the photograph itself. Accompanying the photograph is a yellow Post-it note bearing a message handwritten and initialed by Tibbets, clarifying his well-known autograph policy. "My policy is ‘one autograph' per individual. PW." This statement explains the absence of a full signature on the photograph, with Tibbets instead providing identification annotations while adhering strictly to his rule of limiting autographs to one per person. Both are in fine condition, the post-it is attached to the photograph. The note measures 5" x 3" and the photo measures 8" x 10".

Paul W. Tibbets (1915-2007) was a brigadier general in the United States Air Force and pilot of the B-29 Enola Gay, the aircraft that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The crew depicted in this photograph participated in one of the most consequential missions in modern history, marking a turning point in World War II and the beginning of the atomic age.

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.

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  • Dimensions: 8" x 10"
  • Medium: Photograph

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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