Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 76

Manuscript Sale

World War II

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 123		Chennault, Claire (1893-1958) American army pilot; commander of the Flying Tigers; major general and commander of the 14th Air Force War-date autograph letter signed "CLC" at the end and twice in the text: "Maj. Gen. C.L.C." and "General Chennault," one page, 8 x 10 in., with APO #627, New York, N.Y. return address, May 26, 1944. To Peggy (Chennault had a daughter named Peggy but also corresponded with Peggy Rex of Cleveland, Ohio). Chennault reports that he has spoken with Eve Curie (youngest daughter of Pierre and Marie Curie) about "A Journey Among Warriors," a series of reports Eve wrote from battle fronts; Chennault thinks he might have frightened Eve by the things he told her. Chennault tells Peggy that a letter from her gives him a better lift than he gets even from a good cocktail and asks her to do some shopping for the wife of one of his civilian technicians who has been isolated in China for three years. Fine condition. Estimated Value $600 - 800 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $369
Lot 124		Japanese Officer's Silk Flag Captured on Iwo Jima. Captured by U.S. Marine Emery Schwartz, 2nd Tank Battalion on Feb. 27, 1945. The flag is 41½ inches in length and 29½ inches wide, framed in a clear fiberglass frame to 45½ inches by 36¼ inches wide. Before going to war, Japanese soldiers would often have friends and family sign flags, which they would then fold and put them in their helmets. Numerous people signed on the white background of this flag around the red Japanese sun. English translation of some of the writing on the flag is "Congratulations for Joining the Army," "Good Long Life / Neighbors & Friends," "Do Your Best / Kill Enemies," "Good Luck Long Life," etc. Framed with the flag is the translation, along with images of Marines firing on Mt. Suribachi, the American flag being raised on Mt. Suribachi and of "Marine 'Zipp' Sherman Tank with Flame Thrower." Joe Rosenthal's photograph of the U.S. Marines raising the flag on Mt. Suribachi is one of the most iconic images of the war. The Battle of Iwo Jima was fought from Feb. 19-Mar. 26, 1945, and included some of the fiercest fighting of the War in the Pacific. It was the first time that the Americans invaded Japanese home territory, and the island was heavily fortified by the Japanese, who were determined to fight to the death. The island provided an air base for Japanese fighter planes to intercept long-range B-29 Superfortress bombers, and was used by the Japanese to stage air attacks on the Mariana Islands. The American plan was to capture Iwo Jima, eliminating these problems and provide a staging area for the invasion of the Japanese Home Islands, known by the code name Operation Downfall. Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi planned to inflict such massive casualties on the Americans invading Iwo Jima that the Allies would reconsider carrying out Operation Downfall. Japanese casualties consisted of most of the 22,000 defending the eight-mile square island. American casualties were 26,000. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,520
Lot 125		MacArthur, Douglas (1880-1964) U.S. general; he commanded the Southwest Pacific Theatre in World War II, administered postwar Japan during the Allied occupation, and led United Nations forces during the first nine months of the Korean War; in 1951 he was relieved of his command by President Truman. Typed letter signed "MacArthur" on War Department/Office of the Chief of Staff/Washington, D.C." letterhead, one page, 5 x 7¾ in., Dec. 5, 1916. To Capt. Francis W. Ralston, regarding "the question of your boy's appointment in the Officers' Reserve Corps with the Engineer Office" and promising, "…I will watch his case closely and…will do everything possible in the premises." He adds, "We are making a big effort this year to establish universal training, but after the debacle of the 7th of November most of us are very pessimistic. The fight between the regular service and the militia will undoubtedly be joined this session and in my opinion will only end in the destruction of one or the other…." From 1916-1918, MacArthur was the head of the War Department's new Bureau of Information, serving as press censor and the primary liaison between the War Department and the media. He is recognized as the Army's first public relations officer. Estimated Value $600 - 800 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $840
Lot 126		Marshall, George C (1880-1959) U.S. Army Chief of Staff and chief military adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II; he served as Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense. Typed letter signed ("G C Marshall") as General of the Army, on Department of the Army letterhead, Washington, n.d. (Nov. 1953). To General John Hillring, regarding Marshall's health and being ready to go to Oslo to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, which he was awarded in 1953. With transmittal envelope. The Marshall Plan, funded by the U.S., helped Europe rebuild its economy after World War II. One small smudge at margin, else fine. Estimated Value $150 - 200 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $92
Lot 127		Collection of Signed Photographs of Generals. Total of ten photographs, all but one 8 x 10 in., nine of them inscribed and signed on the photo to Bob Biggers. Four star generals include: Joseph W. Stilwell, Omar Bradley, Al Gruenther, Maxwell Taylor, J. Lawton Collins; another four-star general's name is illegible (dated '52), and Lew Shepherd wrote his inscription and signature on 8 x 2¼ in. heavy cardstock. Other generals in the collection are Doyle O. Hickey, Edward Brooks, and General Parks. Overall about fine. Estimated Value $500 - 600 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold