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Sale 43
Manuscript and Collectibles Auction
| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 186 |
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Patton, George S. Envelope signed "Geo S. Patton Jr." in black ink, with a holograph note, "West Point Papers, Important. Don't Open," postmarked Washgton, D.C., 1904 Mar. 9. The envelope holds a letter from the War Department, Adjutant General's Office, 1p, 10¼" x 8", Washington, 1904 Mar. 4. Addressed to George Smith Patton, Jr., San Gabriel, Los Angeles Col, Cal., stating: "I have the honor to inform you that you have been selected for appointment as a cadet of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Should you desire the appoitment, you are authorized by the Secretary of War to present yourself before a board of officers at Presidio of San Francisco, Cal. on the 3rd day of May, 1904, before 9 o'clock a.m. for mental and physical examination. If it be found that you possesss the requisite qualifications, you will be admitted to the Academy…upon reporting in person to the Superintendent at West Point on the 15th day of June, 1904…." Below Patton's name and address, the letter notes that the appointment was made through (California) Senator Thomas R. Bard (1841-1915).
The envelope contains two other letters: one on War Department letterhead, dated March 9, 1904, agreeing to Patton's request to change the place of his physical exam from The Presidio of San Francisco to Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland; the second letter, on "Headquarters United States Military Academy West Point, New York" letterhead, March 17, 1904, refers to a certificate submitted for Patton by the Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, deeming it satisfactory. The letter also refers to a list of books (not present) that Patton would be studying during his first year and advises Patton to devote "great attention" to algebra and geometry, and recommends the study of French (which would serve Patton in good stead while he was stationed in France during World War I). All three letters have light toning; some soiling to the envelope.
Patton attended Virginia Military Institute for one year, then transferred to the United States Military Academy. He was forced to repeat his first "plebe" year because of poor grades in mathematics. He repeated his plebe year with honors, and was appointed Corporal Adjutant (the second highest position for a cadet). He graduated in 1909 and received his commission as a cavalry officer. The rest is history.
(See Military Memorabilia section for many other military leaders.).
Estimated Value $8,000 - 10,000.
View details and enlarged photo
| Realized
$6,900 |
Lot 187 |
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Patton, George S (1885-1945) American general and tank commander; considered one of the greatest military leaders in history; known as "Old Blood and Guts." Battlefield free frank as first commander of the U.S. Tank Corps, with black "U.S. Military Postal Express Service/27 Sept 1918" postmark with blue double circle handstamp "A.E.F. Passed as censored" censor's mark. Addressed in Patton's hand to his mother, "Mrs. Geo S Patton, San Gabriel, California, USA" and franked "Lt. Col. G S Patton Jr., A.P.O. 714" in upper left corner; Patton has also signed "G S Patton Jr." across the censor's mark at lower left.
Included is a TLS ("G S Patton Jr."), 1p, 10½"x8", n.p. 1918 Sept. 24. To his mother, with excellent content. In part: "The chap who wrote about my commanding the first tanks in action was right….we have been in once and will be again in a few days. This time we hope to have things a little better arranged and not be in such a hell of a hurry….it will I fancy be a harder affair and the country is poor for the T. Still we can only do our damdest and hope that it will amount to something. This business of actually fighting is fine and the most interesting think I have ever done. But it keeps one moving. One of my best men got his foot shot off today which was hard on him as we are far back but a big one came along and got him….I don't expect to get hit but there is always the chance. However one is too busy to think of it at the time and later it does not matter…." Both items are fine, with normal age toning.
The buyer of these two pieces gets four Patton signatures!
Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000.
View details and enlarged photo
| Realized
$4,025 |
Lot 188 |
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Poniatowski, Józef (1763-1813) Polish prince, patriot, and statesman;he was made a marshal of France in 1813. Manuscript DS as minister of War of the Duchy of Warsaw, 1p, in Polish, 8¾" x 9", Warsaw, 1808. Untranslated. Very good; housed in an old frame (not examined out of frame); tears down right margin seem to have old tape repairs on verso, not affecting the large signature; otherwise, nice and clear and boldly signed. Matted with an engraving of Poniatowski and framed to an overall size of 12" x 20". After Poniatowski's death at Leipzig, Napoleon said, "The grief that the entire army feels is beyond description…" A cult developed around Poniatowski in the 19th century. Jerzy Skowronek, Poniatowski's biographer said, "By his heroism, determination and death Prince Jozef Poniatowski came to symbolize the dramatic era of selfless yearnings and Polish disasters, and in some measure by his name he lifted the nation and added luster to it…" Poniatowski is the rarest of Napoleon's marshals.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,000.
View details and enlarged photo
| Realized
$1,740 |
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