Description:

Roosevelt & Eisenhower Adjust Currency Valuations in Preparation for Operation Torch

Broadside signed in facsimile, “Dwight D. Eisenhower", as Lieutenant General of the United States Army, Commander in Chief, 1p, in French, 14.75” x 20”. [London or Gibraltar], circa 1942. Slight tears at edge expertly mended on verso. Creases, folds, and soiling evidencing use; else, very good condition.

Headed “Order / Coins and Currencies", eight provisions of the order are listed. Translated in part,

“Under the authority by Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States and Commander in Chief of the armed forces of the United States, and by agreement with the British Government, I decreed the following: 1. Any paper money and all special currency United States, as well as any currency and any special paper money of sterling (inscribed "British Military Authority" – autorité militaire britannique) issued by the British Government receive by this legal decree in the territory of the French zone of Morocco, of Algeria and of Tunisia. 2. The following changes are imposed: One dollar of the United States – 75 francs. One pound sterling of the British Military Authority – 300 francs. One pound sterling of the British Military Authority – 4 United States dollars…”

A chart listing value of U.S. currency in francs and British pounds, shillings, and pence from 1¢ to $100 is at the lower right.

The Allies planned an Anglo-American invasion of northwestern Africa – Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, territory in the hands of the Vichy French government set up by Nazi Germany. With much of North Africa already under Allied control, this would allow the Allies to carry out an operation against Axis forces in North Africa. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, headquartered in London, was given command of what was called Operation Torch, and he set up his headquarters in Gibraltar. The Allies organized three amphibious task forces to seize the key ports and airports of Morocco and Algeria simultaneously, targeting Casablanca, Oran, and Algiers. Successful completion of these operations was to be followed by an advance eastwards into Tunisia. The invasion began on November 8, 1942, and three days later, the Vichy French forces in Morocco and Algeria ceased armed resistance. The Tunisia campaign began in January 1943 and on May 13, 1943, the Axis forces in North Africa, having sustained 40,000 casualties in Tunisia alone, surrendered.

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!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

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

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house worldwide 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 who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, 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 Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. 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.

May 31, 2023 11:00 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