Description:

Pearl Harbor
[Honolulu, HI], November 29, 1941
Pearl Harbor Victim Sends Christmas Wishes Aboard U.S.S. Arizona One Week Before Attack: "The Arizona is a fine ship and I like it so much"
ALS
A Christmas card sent aboard the U.S.S. Arizona from Lieutenant Commander Thomas Crowley, an assistant dental surgeon. 1p, 5.5" x 4.5", [Honolulu, Hawaii], November 29, 1941. Within, Crowley sends warm holiday wishes, talks of the Arizona, and of missing his wife and son just a little over one week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. A silver gelatin photograph is affixed to the card's front depicting a tropical sunset and palm trees. Accompanied by the letter's original envelope addressed to Captain and Mrs. W. D. Small, postmarked November 29, 1941. Exhibits light creasing and wear at corners, with general age toning throughout; evident curling and uneven silvering to image. A near fine example overall.

Reading in full:

"Wish we could be there to wish you merry Xmas, because we would sure like to see you again. Hope you are enjoying your duty in Norfolk. The Arizona is a fine ship and I like it so much, but I haven't seen Barbara & Tommy since June. They are living in Long Beach. Barbara wrote me a few weeks ago that Jimmy was run over and killed by a car. He was such a beauty and everyone just loved him. How is Bill getting along? Hope Santa Claus is good to you both, and merry Xmas."

After joining the Navy at age 16, Thomas Ewing Crowley (1902-1941) returned from service to study dentistry in California. After finishing school, Crowley rejoined the Navy as a dental officer in 1927, and was later mustered aboard the U.S.S. Arizona.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, and the Arizona was hit by several air-dropped armor-piercing bombs. One detonated an explosive-filled magazine, sinking the battleship and killing 1,177 of its officers and crewmen. Unlike many of the other ships attacked that day, Arizona was so irreparably damaged that it was not repaired for service in World War II. The shipwreck still lies at the bottom of Pearl Harbor beneath the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. Crowley's remains were never recovered, and his name is listed on the "Tablets of the Missing" in Honolulu.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 5.5" x 4.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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.

January 29, 2025 10:00 AM EST
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