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1. ALMY, William E. (1810-70). Autograph Letter Signed.
This Rhode Islander came from a line of military officers -- including his brother John Jay (1815-95), noted naval officer. ALS, 2pp (recto and verso), 7" X 8", New London, CT, 1858 December 3. Addressed to "Doct. Duffield" (D. Bethune Duffield, 1821-91, well known scholar and poet). Good plus. Binding traces along left margin; chip at lower left corner, not affecting text; some fold separations archivally mended on verso side. Overall clean, quite legible and not unattractive despite condition. On September 10, 1858, the 45th anniversary of the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie (fought largely by Rhode Islanders on the American side) was commemorated, with many celebrations taking place in Detroit. Here Almy writes to one of the participants in these ceremonies: "We had the great pleasure in September last of reading in the New York Times many extracts from your very grand & elegant Poem delivered in that month on the ever memorable anniversary of Perry's gallant achievement on Lake Erie." Almy asks for a copy of Duffield's poem, noting, "We do want it exceedingly. I am myself, a real genuine Rhode Islander -- proud of my State & of the glorious men who have given it its reputation. I have in my parlor, a very fine likeness of the Hero of Erie, and, besides, recollect his personal appearance well. I saw him receive the welcome of our native town (Newport) on his return from Erie. And now, Sir, will you do us the favor to furnish us with your whole Poem. If it is published in pamphlet form, we hope you will pardon us for asking for 2 copies as we want one for my Brother who is a Lt. in the Navy & who was delighted with what he read of your brilliant effort...." Interestingly, the sailing master of the brig "Somers," one of Perry's fleet, was a Rhode Islander named Thomas C. Almy -- likely a relative of William E. An intriguing piece.
Price: $200.00

2. ANDERSON, George W. (1907-92). Typed Note Signed.
This U.S. Navy admiral was Chief of Naval Operations in charge of the U.S. blockade of Cuba during the Soviet missile crisis in 1962; denied appointment as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff because of friction with Secretary of Defense McNamara, he was named U.S. Ambassador to Portugal. TNS, 1p, 5 3/4" X 7 3/4", n.p., 1962 August 31. Addressed to Gerald L. Arnholt. Near fine. Single faint horizontal fold. On "Chief of Naval Operations" letterhead featuring a 4-star blue flag, the admiral complies with an autograph request. "I am honored that my signature will be added to such a distinguished collection." Bold full signature.
Price: $50.00

3. ANDERSON, William R. (1921-?). Signature.
In 1957 this American naval officer became the first to command an atomic submarine, the Nautilus. Bold signature, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p., 1977 December 15. Fine. With original envelope.
Price: $25.00

4. BARLOW, Robert (1757-1843). Autograph Letter Signed.
British Royal Navy admiral who saw extensive service in the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic War. ALS, 1p, 7¼" X 8½" (tipped to heavy album leaf of same size), Spithead [off coast of southern England], 1800 November 2. Addressed to "Gentlemen." Near fine. Writing from aboard "His Maj. Ship Phoebe," Barlow remarks: "Mr Sewell the Kings Advocate General of Lower Canada informs me by letter of the 14th Augt. last -- that he has transmitted to you as set of Bills payable to me or order... I request you will send them to me under cover... my reason for not having them sent to Portsmouth is that we are only waiting a fair wind to sail for Ireland...." Handsomely penned. A scant three months later (2 February 1801), at the Straits of Gibraltar, Barlow would for the second time in his career capture a French frigate -- for which victory he was knighted and given command of the HMS Triumph in the Mediterranean. An attractive piece written just shy of his greatest military success. From the noted collection of New Jersey physician J. ACKERMAN COLES (died 1925), with his printed file folder.
Price: $275.00

5. BEGG, Varyl (1908-85). Signature.
This English military officer entered the Royal Navy in 1933, working his way up to Admiral of the Fleet. Choice bold signature in blue ballpoint along with date and "A.F." (Admiral of the Fleet), heavy stock 5" X 3" card, 1980 December 1. Fine. With original envelope.
Price: $30.00

6. BERESFORD, Charles, 1st Baron Beresford (1846-1919). Letter Signed.
Known as "Lord Beresford," this British admiral is remembered for his part in the bombardment of Alexandria in the Egyptain War of 1882 and the Nile expedition (1884-85). LS, 1p, 5" X 8", Chicago, IL, 1899 February 19. Addressed to Miss F. Maryanna Neumann. Very good. Moderately age toned, with mounting traces at corners. "I have much pleasure in sending you my autograph," he notes, signing large and bold. A nice example.
Price: $55.00

7. BIGELOW, John (1854-1936). Autograph Letter Signed.
American military tactician and author whose works include "The Principles of Strategy Illustrated Mainly from American Campaigns" (1891), "The Campaigns of Chancellorsville" (1910) and "The Peach Orchard, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863" (1910). ALS, 1p, 6" X 10", Minneapolis, MN, n.d. Addressed to the noted autograph collector, Reverend George Brown Thomas. Very good. Normal mailing folds and mild, even age toning. On letterhead of The Concord hotel, Bigelow writes the famed collector in his beautiful script regarding a photograph (not present). He identifies the seven military figures in it, which include himself, G.A.R. officers, a General Patterson and a "T.M. Scanlan C.S.A.," about which he states: "Did you Photo. Scanlan's leg. I tho't it would be an interesting subject and visible evidence, that the 92 rounds of canister I Expended, was not all wasted." Bigelow's first-person reference here regarding expending ammunition is a puzzlement that warrants further research. Intriguing, handsome piece.
Price: $195.00

8. BOYINGTON, Gregory "Pappy" (1912-88). Photograph Signed.
Famed leader of the "Black Sheep" squadron in World War Two, comprised of pilots rejected from other squadrons -- whose exploits he wrote about in a bestselling memoir and later a television series; credited with shooting down 28 enemy planes; Medal of Honor recipient. PS (newsprint), 5½" X 4", n.p., n.y. [ca. 1980]. Near fine. None of the yellowing or brittleness typical of newsprint. Newspaper photograph, a cast scene from the t.v. series "Baa Baa Black Sheep" depicting a smiling Robert Conrad (as Boyington) and his squadron piled into a Jeep. At upper right, in a partially dark area, Boyington signs boldly in blue fineline. Decent but not superb contrast.
Price: $75.00

9. BRADLEY, Omar N. (1893-1981). Signature.
"The G.I.s General," beloved American Army general active during World War II and the last five-star general; from 1949-53 served as first permanent chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Simple clipped signature (first name only, "Omar") penned in black ballpoint on the closing portion of a TLS, 4½" X 1½", n.p., n.d. [later life, ca. 1975]. Fine. Above the signature is typed "Sincerely" and below it "Omar N. Bradley / General of the Army." Accompanied by a superb matte-finish 8" X 10" head-and-shoulders official U.S. Army portrait showing Bradley later in life in full uniform and also a 3½" X 8" blank notepad sheet imprinted in blue with "Office of General of the Army Omar N. Bradley" below five stars. An interesting, attractive trio.
Price: $85.00

10. BROMET, Geoffrey (1891-1983). Signature.
British air vice marshal who commanded British forces in the Azores in World War Two. Large signature and date (1970 September 9) on a special heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p. [Folkestone, England]. Fine. With original envelope. An uncommon autograph.
Price: $35.00

11. BROWNELL, Theodore (?-?). Autograph Letter Signed.
On September 10, 1813, this American naval officer distinguished himself in the Battle of Lake Erie as sailing master of the schooner "Ariel"; he retired with the rank of lieutenant in 1843. ALS, 2pp (recto and verso), 5½" X 8", Newport, RI, 1858 December 7. Addressed to "My Dear Sir" (D. Bethune Duffield, 1821-91, well known scholar and poet). Good plus. Binding traces along left margin; chip at lower left corner, not affecting text; some fold separations archivally mended on verso side. Overall clean, quite legible and not unattractive despite condition. Duffield read a poem narrative of this famed battle at the 45th anniversary celebration of the American victory, and Brownell congratulates him on it. "...I have received the official report of the glorious celebration at Put in Bay on the 10th of September 1858," he remarks. "I must cheerfully bare my testimony to your able production for that occasion; and which contributed so much to the pleasures of the day, especially to those present who had the great fortune to be present & to take part in that battle fought 45 years prior in which for the first time Great Britan [sic] lost an entire fleet.... your beautiful Poem... was the most graphic description of the battle and its incidents; that I had ever heard read or sung.... may you Sir reap the rich reward that you so justly deserve for your Patriotic exeration [exertion], to commemorate the deedes [sic] of the 10th of Septemr 1813...." Quite unusual and quite superb content from this Battle of Lake Erie participant.
Price: $495.00

12. BUCHER, Lloyd M. (1927-2004). Photograph Signed.
American naval commander whose ill-fated vessel, the USS "Pueblo," was captured off the coast of North Korea in 1968, with he and his crew imprisoned and tortured for many months. PS, 8" X 10¼", n.p., n.d. Fine. Handsome formal portrait of Bucher in dress uniform, boldly signed on the blank lower margin; below his signature he adds rank ("CDR USN"). A choice example.
Price: $75.00

13. CARNEY, Robert B. (1895-1990). Typed Note Signed / Unsigned Photograph.
This U.S. Navy admiral had a distinguished career through World War Two; he helped to arrange and was present at the Japanese surrender ceremony aboard the U.S.S. Missouri; he served as commander-in-chief of NATO forces in Southern Europe (1951-53) and Chief of Naval Operations (1953-54). TNS, 1p, 8½" X 11", Washington, DC, 1961 December 26. Addressed to Gerald L. Arnholt. Near fine. Cordial note to an educator: "This is to wish you a very happy Holiday Season and success in your schoolwork and other endeavors." Bold full signature in blue ballpoint. Accompanied by a superb original black-and-white 1956 news agency glossy photograph (International News Photo), 9" X 7". Printed caption running underneath image reads in part, "Gen. Carl Spaatz, center, retired former Air Force Chief of Staff, and Adm. Robert Carney, right, ex-Chief of Naval Operations, are shown shortly before they testified on the adequacy of the nation's air power at a Senate Armed Services Subcommittee hearing today. Adm. Carney warned Congress that new Russian 'softness' may constitute 'a graver danger' to the free world than communist toughness...." A scarce and desireable vintage photograph in near fine condition.
Price: $95.00

14. CHAMPLIN, Stephen (1789-1879). Autograph Letter Signed.
On September 13, 1813, this 24-year-old U.S. Navy officer commanding the schooner "Scorpion" captured the British ship "Little Belt" during the Battle of Lake Erie, which made Champlin's cousin Oliver Perry a household name; Champlin's ship fired the first shot of that battle and the last shot of that battle -- and he himself was the last survivor of that battle; later in that war he was wounded when his ship was taken on Lake Huron, but he went on to enjoy a distinguished career, retiring as a commodore; Champlin, Minnesota, is named in his honor, as are not one but two naval ships. ALS, 1p, 6¼" X 7¼", Buffalo, NY, 1858 November 8. Addressed to D. Bethune Duffield (1821-91, well known scholar and poet). Good plus. Some edge chips on bottom and left edges; minor age toning, and old archival mend on verso -- but overall fairly attractive and boldly penned. On September 16, 1858 celebrations took place near Detroit marking the 45th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie, at which time Duffield read a poem, "Perry's Victory on Lake Erie." Apparently afterward he sent the text to Champlin, asking him to verify the truthfulness of his account. This is Champlin's reply, which reads in part: "Your letter of 4th inst. asking for an expression as to the correctness of the Poem delivered by you on the occasion of the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie at Put-in Bay Sept. 10th 1858 is received, I am most happy to say that in all its essentials it is one of the most perfect accounts of the Battle that I have ever had the pleasure of listening to or reading and I shall always hold you in grateful remembrance for the complimentary manner in which you speak of my performance...." Boldly signed, along with "Captain U.S. Navy." A superb example of this uncommon autograph with absolutely choice content.
Price: $695.00

15. CHAPMAN, Leonard F., Jr. (1913-2000). Signed First Day Cover.
This distinguished Marine Corps general (1935-72) fought with distinction through World War 2 and the Korean War, and as commandant led the Marines through the Vietnam War; commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (1973-77). Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Washington, DC on August 29, 1966 and with "First Day of Issue" noted. Fine. 5-cent "50th Anniversary Marine Corps Reserve" stamp at upper right. No decorative cachet at left; no distracting recipient's name/address -- but Chapman signs bold and handsome in black fineline near the "sweet spot." Small portion of original transmittal envelope present.
Price: $50.00

16. CLAY, Lucius D. (1897-1978). Signed Postal Cover / Unsigned Photograph.
As commander of U.S. forces in Germany (1947-49), Clay was in charge of the 1948 Berlin Airlift. Signed Postal Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Marietta, Georgia (the city of Clay's birth) on 1972 April 23 (the date of Clay's birth). Fine. Single 6-cent "Dwight D. Eisenhower" stamp and 2-cent "Frank Lloyd Wright" stamp at right. In addition, an appropriate 32-cent "Berlin Airlift delivers food and fuel in 1948-49 blockade" stamp added in later years -- cancelled, appropriately, at Berlin Station, APO, on 1998 June 26. No decorative cachet at left; no distracting recipient's name/address. At the center, Clay signs large and bold in black fineline, adding "Gen USA (Ret.)." NOT a First Day Cover, but an enterprising collector created this unique cover cancelled in appropriate places on appropriate dates. Accompanied by an absolutely superb and itself scarce 8" X 10" news agency photograph (International News Photo) of 7 October 1947 depicting Clay (in uniform) and two others leaving a military airplane; caption running alongside reads in part, "U.S. Ambassador to Russia W. Bedell Smith and Lt. General Lucius Clay, Commander of American Occupation Forces in Germany followed by Ambassador Robert D. Murphy, political advisor to the commander in chief in Germany as they arrived today from Russia and Germany for conferences with the State Dept., White House, and Dept. for National Defense to discuss means of combatting the new Soviet move to block the Marshall Plan...." A fine pair.
Price: $100.00

17. CLAY, Lucius D. (1897-1978). Signature.
As commander of U.S. forces in Germany (1947-49), Clay was in charge of the 1948 Berlin Airlift. Bold signature and date (1969 February 28) in black fineline on a special heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p. [New York, NY]. Fine. With original envelope. Accompanied by an unusual and scarce 6½" X 8½" news agency photograph of 1947 showing Clay disembarking an airplane with U.S. ambassador to Russia Bedell Smith to discuss means of combatting the Soviet move to block the Marshall Plan."A superb image seldom seen.
Price: $75.00

18. COLLINS, J. Lawton (1896-1987), EAKER, Ira C. (1896-1987), GALER, Robert E. (1913-2005), GOODPASTER, Andrew J. (1915-2005), MATTESON, Robert E. (1914-94) and RIDGWAY, Matthew B. (1895-1993). Signed First Day Cover.
Collins, known as "Lightning Joe," was an American Army general who served as chief of Staff (1949-53) and commander of American Army forces in Korea; Eaker was an American Army general who commanded U.S. air forces during World War Two and helped establish the Air Force as a separate branch service; Galer was a USMC naval aviator awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War Two; Goodpaster was a highly-decorated American Army officer in World War Two and later served as Commander-in-Chief of the Supreme Allied Command in Europe (1969-74, 1977-81); Matteson was an Army officer who captured Nazi Gestapo chief Ernest Kaltenbrummer during World war Two, then went on to become foreign policy advisor to Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon; Ridgway was a famed World War Two Army general who commanded one of the first airborne divisions formed -- one of the first to parachute into the D-Day invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Signed FDC, 6½" X 3½, cancelled in Washington, DC on 1945 September 28 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Near fine. Two 3-cent "U.S. Army" stamps at upper right and handsome engraved "Honoring the U.S. Army Crossing of the Rhine Remagen Bridge" cachet at left. No recipient's name/address. Superb example of this vintage cover, boldly by these six interesting World War Two military figures in blue or black ballpoint; Ridgway signs in black fineline. A fine assemblage.
Price: $200.00

19. COLLINS, J. Lawton (1896-1987). Typed Note Signed.
American Army general known as "Lightning Joe"; Army chief of Staff from 1949 to 1953; commander of American Army forces in Korea. TNS, 1p, 8" X 10½", Washington, DC, 1957 May 11. Addressed to B.M. Jeffris. Fine. Thanks the president of the Parker Pen Company "for sending me the fine Parker 61 on my sixty-first birthday." Comes with a 1953 news agency 7" X 9" photograph of Collins.
Price: $75.00

20. DAVIDSON, Garrett H. (1904-92). Inscribed Photograph Signed.
This distinguished and versatile U.S. Army general was a combat commander in World War Two (under Patton) and the Korean War and served as president of the first Nuremberg War Tribunal, but will always be remembered as a successful head coach of the Army foot ball team (1933-37); from 1956 to 1960 he served as superintendent of West Point. IPS, heavy stock 8" X 10", n.p., n.y. Near fine. Formal matte-finish half-length smiling portrait seated at a desk in full uniform, flags behind him. At lower right, he inscribes and signs boldly in blue: "With best regards, / Gar Davidson / Lieut. Gen., U.S.A. / Superintendent." Ink contrast nice and acceptable though not superb.
Price: $95.00

21. DEAN, William F. (1899-1981). Printed Document Signed.
This distinguished U.S. Army officer during World War Two and the Korean War, was the highest-ranking officer captured in Korea, remaining a prisoner of war from 1950 to 1953. Printed DS, 2pp (single leaf), 6" X 9", Washington, DC, 1951 February 16. Very good. Three original light horizontal mailing folds; two-punched at left margin, not affecting text; slight edgewear and minor age toning along right edge. Printed "General Orders No. 7," titled "Award of the Medal of Honor," bearing the full text of the order awarding Dean this honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the repeated risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty in Taejon, Korea, on 20 and 21 July 1950...." At the lower margin of the first page, Dean signs large and bold in black fountain pen, adding "Maj. Gen. U.S.A. (Ret)" below. Signed in type on the verso by J. Lawton Collins, U.S. Army Chief of Staff. At the time the Medal of Honor was awarded to him in 1951, Dean was considered missing in action and assumed dead; on January 9, President Truman presented the award to Dean's wife and two children. This printed text is dated February 16, and it wasn't until December 18 that Dean was interviewed for a French newspaper and the world realized he was still alive. A choice and poignant memento.
Price: $125.00

22. DEARBORN, Henry (1751-1829). Signed Integral Address Leaf.
The Revolutionary War officer who served on Washington's staff served as secretary of war under Jefferson, in which capacity he had Fort Dearborn constructed at the tiny frontier settlement that became Chicago. Signed integral address leaf, 5" X 3¼" (opens to 10" X 7 3/4"), n.p. [Washington, D.C.], n.d. [dated 1808 May 4 in another hand]. Very good. Red wax seal present on verso. Envelope addressed in Dearborn's hand to Captain Richard C. Dale of Delaware, free-franked at upper right "War Department / H. Dearborn." A handsome example.
Price: $200.00

23. DEWEY, George (1837-1917). Signature.
This American naval officer became a national hero when he destroyed a Spanish squadron of warships in the battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898 and helped capture the city of Manila; named an admiral in 1899. Bold signature below a printed "The Admiral of the Navy / Washington," 4¼" X 2 3/4" slip, n.y. Very good. Faintly age toned; mounting traces on verso.
Price: $60.00

24. DOBBIN, James C. (1814-57). Letter Signed.
Secretary of the Navy (1853-57); instrumental in enlarging the Navy. LS, 1p, 7 3/4" X 9 3/4", Navy Department [Washington, DC], 1853 November 17. Addressed to Lieutenant Bayse N. Westcott. Very good. Ordering him to report for duty on the Coast Survey Steamer "Corwin."
Price: $65.00

25. EDMUNDSON, James V. (1915-2001). Typed Note Signed.
This U.S. Air Forces pilot was credited with sinking one of the first Japanese submarines in World War Two; he flew 107 combat missions in that war and 32 in the Korean War; among his many distinguished assignments was as deputy director (later director) of operations for the Strategic Air Command. TNS, 1p, 8" X 10½", Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, 1957 December 27. Addressed to Gerald L. Arnholt. Near fine. Faint original mailing folds. Graciously complies with an autograph request. "Good luck to you in what must be an interesting and rewarding hobby." Bold full signature.
Price: $55.00

26. EISENHART, Charles M. (1914-68). Inscribed Photograph Signed.
Distinguished U.S. Air Force general, killed in a tanker plane explosion in Minot, North Dakota. IPS, 8" X 10", n.p., n.y. [ca.1960?]. Fine. Handsome head-and-shoulders portrait of the general in full uniform, inscribed ("Best Regards") and signed in full with "B/G U.S.A.F." rank large and bold in black ink over his bemedalled chest at lower right. Contrast acceptable, though not superb. Uncommon.
Price: $75.00

27. FARYNIARZ, Stanley J. (1916-97). Signed First Day Cover.
This sailor aboard the U.S.S. Pennsylvania (flagship of the Pacific Fleet) survived the December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, then served under MacArthur throughout the Pacific throughout World War Two and again in the Korean War; he earned a spot in philatelic history decades later as the U.S. Post Office employee whose letters campaigning for a stamp honoring MacArthur finally tipped the scales. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Norfolk, Virginia on 26 January 1971 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Single 6-cent "Douglas MacArthur" stamp and 6-cent "Disabled Veterans of America" stamp at upper right. Just below the postal cancellation, Faryniarz signs in full, large and bold, in black fineline. Unusual -- for the MacArthur collector who has everything.
Price: $25.00

28. FOXLEY-NORRIS, Christopher (1917-2003). Signature.
This English ace was a squardon commander during World War Two, and later became the RAF's commander-in-chief in Germany. Full handsome signature in blue fountain pen, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p., 1987 November 5. Fine. With original envelope.
Price: $40.00

29. GABRESKI, Francis S. "Gabby" (1919-2002). Photograph Signed.
Famed American World War Two fighter pilot, the fifth leading American ace. PS, 18½" X 25", n.p., n.y. [1989]. Fine. Noted aviation artist J.G. Keck signs and numbers this print (#146 of an edition of 500) in pencil below a blind-embossed inner margin. A handsome closeup portrait of Gabreski in full flight gear, oxygen mask hanging at his neck, his squadron insignia and slogan ("Ready and Waiting") behind his shoulder. Within a blind-embossed rectange below this striking likeness, Gabreski signs boldly in pencil.
Price: $195.00

30. GAMBIER, James (1756-1833). Free-Franked Envelope.
The first Baron Gambier was a noted naval commander; he was the first to break the French line in Howe's victory, he led the bombardment of Copenhagen and the 1807 capture of the Danish fleet, and he negotiated the 1814 peace with the U.S.; in 1830 he was named admiral of the fleet. Free-franked front portion of envelope, irregular 4½" X 2½" tipped to slightly larger sheet, Uxbridge, England, 1825 February 11. Very good. Faint red circular "Free" postal cancellation. Addressed in his hand to "The Revd. T.T. Becher / Southwell / Notts:e" and signed simply "Gambier" at lower left. A handsome piece.
Price: $85.00

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