A superb "Chinese" Gordon archive

359. CHARLES G. "CHINESE" GORDON (1833 - 1885) British soldier involved in the taking of Peking and suppressing the Taiping rebellion, resisted the siege of Khartoum when killed by forces of the Mahdi. A most rare, superb and lengthy Gordon correspondence, being a collection of 93 A.L.S., largely 8vo size and written from various places and to various correspondents, with some being partially in French, during the period of 1863 - 1892, and a few of which include fine original ink sketches by Gordon. This vast collection reads, in extremely small part: "[1866]...I was very much interested to know how the Fenians [?] would attach your station, it situated exactly where they might be expected to come but I suppose they are expended by this time. The Corps dinner though unanimously attended went off entirely without incident the duke was a dull as ever...[1868]...I forgot to tell you that in one of the later Pall Mall Gazettes, was a paragraph relative to the Chinese Usurpation...[Soon after Gordon's arrival in the Sudan as governor-general]....I wish to stamp out the irregularities which exist...The Bimbashi is not evil, but he is afraid of his soldiers and the fortress is falling into ruins. I would not wish to call in foreign officers here, but might have to do so for my own security if I cannot find native officers. 300 soldiers [with] two cannon would be enough for Keren with a decent fort; at the moment 1,000 in this fort are inadequate...[1872]...The budge must wait for I am going up to Galatz on Friday...Thank you for paying Alexander...The Commission have in view not to sell a single thing that may possibly be required at any future tense & look to you to see that their wish is carried out. With respect to...Bullet purchase, I will send you the details & Commission would not have but the things except with the guarantee they have got...[1873]...Have been to Cairo and now on my way back to England. I saw Khedive and he has been very civil...Could you send me a...Compass with a card. Mine has a metal ring &...takes me several minutes to take an angle. I went out to Babadagh today and traversed the main road, then went out to the marsh...[1874]...Kindly read and send on to [Colonel Charles] Nugent...I have no time to write to my dear Gerald Stanton [Agent and Consul-General in Egypt]...[Kerri 1876]...Do not abuse my roads. Letters from England reach me even here under 7 weeks time. I have already described the...failure of my intended exterminating raid on the Moogies & how the south column never turns up. It is quite impossible to do anything with these troops but the veriest ABC of operations. Irregular warfare is to me a far more dangerous matter than regular warfare. Through ignorance or through fanatic rage, irregulars attack where regulars never would think of it. Irregulars generally know every inch of the country & generally they are animated with a fiercer spirit, in the defence of their own lands. It is these they are, like the Bhang eaters in India, to be feared, a little active savage is more than a match for a fat, ruddy Britisher...In China, the rebels fought as we fought viz regularly, we no night-attacks of consequence, no foolhardy...expeditions were undertaken by them against our rear. All depends when they attacked on the steadiness of the off & N.C.O.'s...I never feel comfortable unless I have some native allies with me and I never would have tried what I did at Moogie unless I had had native allies with me in the cannibals of Niami Niami, at least 500 of them by this means, the country was well secured. While the troops were their backbone. I do want reliable men or a reliable man to take some of the detail off my back but they are so are...[1877]...We will not have missed one another...I am sorry to have seen you, you will pass me mostly near Massowah, where I shall be trying to make peace with Joannes...[1878]...There is very little shooting as far as I can see. You come across large herds of antelopes but they are some off, and are very shy. You see ostriches and giraffes, but if you kill one what is the use of it? The natives are utterly uninteresting naked savages, nothing more than animals who are always hungry. My great amusement is my doctoring the soldiers. I am now a pretty good medical man...Metternich makes no more voyages this year...No news of Egypt as yet...Just a line to say I'm off again for Cairo. I have seen...in England & D'Avril in Paris...The expedition of Baker was a complete failure & I do not myself think the Khedir care a lot about the whole affair but I shall come to close quarters with him when I get to Cairo. I will not go if he really is forced into it by Foreign Powers...I can not add to credit of 89 for the current we shall want every farthing for the Ichatel...When I arrived here [Debb] after a very uncomfortable search (owing to Dhuran Pacha's not having had houses made on the road) I found your people...As it is much more important for you to examine the river that to do to Salabal...it will be a month before you can get your baggage...[1881]...I do not think unless our govt is idiotic, you will have any more bother with the troops. The Egyptian people have a right to some say as to their govt and I do not think the late events are to be regretted. They were inevitable out comings of this' deposition of Ismaiah Pacha...I had hoped that LO would have appointed the Consuls but I suppose they will now say that things are too critical in Egypt...[1881]...The mail...brought order for me to report on defences in Seychelles also an order to governor here...committee on defences of Munitions & dependencies. I, Col. Roberson Ret. Capt. Key [?] & lt. Rogers...found our...Committee. I got Key & Rogers to back me...I fear the next mail, with news of Sudanby & Moffitt, and fear the worst...Kindly look at the packet you mention as sent from China and tell me rightly that it is. I expect it is a most interesting paper detailing how Warn entered Chinese service; if so, it is very interesting & ought to be sent to Mr. Bouger...I am glad Willie is in the Military, it is better than idling about. What a great mistake the mode of educating boys is, and to day a good Colonial life education would cost much less & be really useful...[1884]...Will you kindly send me 12 flannel shirts. Send all to Suez care of H. M. Consul [written as leaving Sudan]...I had some models made of the Coco de Mer [a tree native to the Seychelles]...[the] Kew [Gardens in London] were delighted with them...I have your brooches. One is the arms of the Seychelles when it gets free of Mauritius the other is the Hindoo representation of Universe. The Hindoos think that Curuman one of the incarnations of Bhudda [sic], and which name signifies Tortoise when the flood came Noah...[with a sketch of a tortoise egg]...You will be sick of my notes...Mind the two leaves are well-packed...The vessel for Zanzibar I had hope to catch, has not been able to wait...I hope you will keep an eye on everything connected with the Coco de Mer, especially its germination...". Much more fine content about his campaigns and so forth. Along with a handsome cabinet card showing Gordon in head and shoulders (backstamp by Dighton's Art Studios, Cheltenham, matted with a signature. Overall in very good condition, and certainly very worthy of much further research. $30,000-40,000 !=

360. MARCUS A. RENO'S EPAULETS (1835 - 1889) Union brigadier general and Indian fighter with Custer at Little Big Horn, accused of cowardice and failure to support Custer during the massacre. A historic relic, Marcus A. Reno's gold epaulets worn by him during the Civil War and undoubtedly afterward, very likely during his service under George A. Custer and at the Battle of Little Big Horn. The epaulets are contained within a regulation japanned tin container with white lettering at top: "MARCUS A. RENO U. S. ARMY". During the Civil War, Reno's greatest rank achieved was Colonel of the 12th Pa., and at war's end he was breveted Brigadier General of Volunteers and brevet colonel in the army, with the rank of captain. These epaulets are of a design worn only by those with a rank of major or higher, therefore could only have been issued to Reno during the course of the war. The gold bullion hangs at a length of 3 1/2" indicating a rank of major or above, further corroborating his rank. The epaulets bear marks of having unit and rank insignia attached at top, but which are now lacking. This is consistent with Reno's post-war rank of captain in the regular army as he no longer held the rank of general or colonel. Before Little Big Horn, Reno was advanced to the rank of Major of the 7th Cavalry on December 26, 1868 and was therefore once again allowed to wear this style of epaulet. Following the Custer massacre on June 25, 1876 Reno faced a number of courts martial and was finally dismissed on trumped-up charges, on April 1, 1880, and returned home with these epaulets. Officer's epaulets were required to be worn whenever one was to meet the enemy or on duty; it is therefore entirely conceivable that these relics rode atop Reno's shoulders as he held-out against the attack of the Sioux at Little Big Horn. The epaulets bear signs of a great deal of use, having been crudely stitched at the sides of the bottom leather backing, a piece of copper wire replaces one hasp at bottom, and the brass attachments show signs of consistent use. The bottom of the bullion on one of the epaulets is crumpled, not noticeable when the epaulet sits as normal. Provenance: Butterfield Arms and Armor Sale, July, 2000, to our consignor.$5,000-8,000 !=

Outfitting the Wasp

360A. JAMES LAWRENCE (1781 - 1813) American naval officer in command of the U.S.S. Hornet when he captured the British H.M.S. Peacock during the War of 1812. On June 1, 1813, commanding a new and untrained crew on the frigate U.S.S. Chesapeake off Boston, Lawrence engaged the H.M.S. Shannon, with the best-trained crew in the Royal Navy. In less than 15 minutes, Lawrence's crew was overwhelmed. Mortally wounded, Lawrence shouted, "Tell the men to fire faster and not to give up the ship; fight her till she sinks!" True to his words, every officer in the Chesapeake's chain of command fought until he was either killed or wounded. Of course, Lawrence's quote has come down over the years to read: "Don't give up the ship!". Excessively rare good-content manuscript D.S. "Jas. Lawrence", 1p. oblong 8vo., Philadelphia, Aug. 4, 1809, in full: "Received Philad'a August 4 1809 of Callender Irvine Navy Storekeeper for the United States Ship Wasp - One - 12 pd. Worm & Ladle One - 12 pd. Rammer & Sponge Jas. Lawrence". Very good to fine, framed with two engravings, a commemorative coin and a photo of the modern US Navy warship USS JAMES LAWRENCE. The tools ordered by Lawrence were used exclusively for the preparation of cannon firing. At the time, Lawrence was in command of the Wasp. In what may be an incredible coincidence, one should note the following: Following Lawrence's promotion and transfer, the Wasp operated along the coast of the U.S. during the War of 1812. Her only action of war was in October 1812 when she engaged HMS Frolic in battle. Both ships sustained heavy damage, but the Wasp prevailed. Later that same day Wasp, heavily damaged and unable to fight or run, surrendered to HMS Poictiers and then served briefly in the Royal Navy as HMS Peacock. Yet, while in command of the Hornet off Brazil, Lawrence engaged and sank the HMS Peacock, which may have been his old command, the captured USS Wasp! We have attempted to trace the history of any British naval vessel HMS Peacock, and we were able to locate only the very vessel Lawrence sank! $3,000-4000 !=

361. JAPANESE WAR CRIMINALS SIGNED FLAG An excellent signed relic from the 1946 Japanese War Crimes trials held in Tokyo, a silk 18" x 14" "meatball" Japanese flag signed in black ink by 25 of the defendants, each of whom has signed in English and Japanese with some adding their rank or position. The signatures include: HIDEKI TOJO, KENJI DOIHARA, KINGORO HASIMOTO, SHUNROKU HATA, KIICHIRO HIRANUMA, KOKI HOROTA, SEISHIRO ITAGAKI, KOICHI KIDO, HEITARO KIMURA, KUNIKI KOISO, IWANE MATSUI, JIRO MINAMI, TAKASUMI OKA, HIROSHI OSHIMA, KENRYO SATO, MAMORU SHIGEMITSU, SHIGETARO SHIMADA, TEIICHI SUZUKI, SHIGENORI TOGO, YOSHIJIRO UMEZU, NAOKI HOSHINO, OKINORI KAYA, TOSHIO SHIRATORI, SHIRO MUTO, SADAO ARAKI. Many of the signers were executed for their crimes, others were given lengthy prison sentences. While their Nazi counterparts, the Nuremburg defendants, can occasionally be found in complete sets, the Japanese war criminals are much rarer, especially when presented in such a fine association. The flag is matted and framed, some of the signatures are faded, but all are still quite legible, otherwise in near-fine condition. Not examined out of frame.$2,500-3,500 !=

Desperate orders as the Soviets storm Germany

362. ADOLF HITLER (1889 - 1945) Fuhrer of Germany and Nazi Party leader, Hitler's bloody rise to power, his military seizure of most of Europe and North Africa and genocidal racial policies culminated in suicide in his Berlin bunker as Russian troops approached. Important, very late D.S., 1p. legal folio, Berlin, Mar. 8, 1945. As the Russians bear down on Berlin, from within his bunker Hitler makes three desperate changes in the command of his surviving forces: Col. Gen. Josef Harpe, a hero from the Soviet campaign, is given command of the 5th Panzer Army; Gen. Hasso von Manteuffel is given command of the 3rd Panzer Army, and Col. Gen. Erhard Raus is summarily fired for his failure in defending Germany. Co-signed by Infantry General WILHELM BURGDORF (d. 1945), who signed witnessing Hitler's Last Will and thereafter committed suicide in the bunker. It was also Burgdorf who convinced Rommel to take his own life rather than face trial for conspiracy. Fine condition. Signed documents from this late date, less than a month before Hitler's suicide, are very rare. Sold with two reproductions of photographs of von Manteuffel and Harpe.$3,000-5,000 !=

363. ADOLF EICHMANN (1906 - 1962) Nazi military officer charged by Hitler with the destruction of the Jewish race, present at the Wannsee Conference where the "Final Solution" was formulated, and generally oversaw the operation of the death camps. Captured and smuggled to Israel, he was convicted of war crimes and hanged. Exceedingly rare and important A.D.S. "E" and also signed "Eichmann" within the text, 2pp. legal folio, [on trial in Israel], June 4, 1961 in German to his defense counsel, Dr. Robert Servatius on his relationship with Dr. Edmund Veesenmayer, Plenipotentiary in Hungary responsible for the deportation of 480,000 Jews to the death camps. In part: "...I never received anything from Veesenmayer in writing...I occasionally was ordered to report to him. When suddenly you hear the words Palestine Travel, I perk up my ears, because I know from Berlin, that this was forbidden...that is why I wrote to the RsteA[?] on official business [?] if Swiss action to Palestine would be permitted...[German Commander of Security Police in Hungary, Theodor] Grell made up everything else pretty much in his civilian brain. `Eichmann repeatedly suggested to permit transports to Lisbon only through western Europe...we had a clearance for this route...because a request [to] Hitler was authorized...All other of Grell's malicious attacks are the bad-mouthed gibberish of an amateur detective...". Servatius has placed an "x" through the text on both sides, obviously not pleased with Eichmann's explanations. Fine condition. $3,000-4,000 !=

364. KARL DONITZ'S GRAND ADMIRAL'S HEADQUARTERS FLAG. KARL DONITZ (1891 - 1980) German admiral who headed the U-Boat arm of the German Navy, later succeeded Hitler as Fuehrer after Hitler's suicide. A most important Donitz relic, his personal standard which flew over Donitz's headquarters at Plon, Holstein in northern Germany, from where he assumed leadership of Hitler's crumbled empire and later ordered Gen. Alfred Jodl to surrender. The flag measures approx. 94" x 94" with a white field at center, a large gold armed forces eagle atop a gold swastika, with overlaying crossed batons on a Maltese cross. A halyard, looped at top, threads the flag's hoist. The flag also bears the stenciled notation "Flag. Grossadmiral 2.4 x 2.4". In excellent condition, bearing only the slightest wear. Accompanied by a photograph, 3" x 5" color, showing the flag and bearing on verso a note on the flag's provenance: "This is a photograph of the actual flag of Gross Admiral Karl Doenitz who was Commander-in-Chief of all German Naval Forces at the end of World War II. It was found at his abandoned H.Q. in Plon in Holstein, N. Germany... " and bearing the name of the flag's British finder. The flag then passed into the hands of an American collector who in 1973 wrote Donitz, sending him a copy of the photo of the flag. A copy of Donitz's response is included, in which he states (in German) that the flag was indeed his standard but was not his personal property as such. This is a most significant item, likely the last Nazi German flag to fly over its country's de facto seat of government.$3,000-5,000 !=

365. AUDIE MURPHY'S WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL AUDIE L. MURPHY (1924 - 1971) Most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II. Among his 33 awards and decorations was the Medal of Honor, also received every decoration for valor that his country had to offer, some of them more than once, including five decorations from France and Belgium. Credited with killing over 240 of the enemy while wounding and capturing many others. An excellent Murphy relic, his World War II Victory Medal, about 1 1/2" wide and 3" tall, gold in color with a standing Liberty on one side, the reverse bearing the legend: "FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND WANT FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND RELIGION UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1941 1945". The ribbon is multi-colored, with a pin back. The medal was donated by Murphy to a Navy charity auction, and is sold with the a copy of the original auction card reading: "NAVY RELIEF FUND AUCTION Item: Medals Lot Number: 246 Donated By: Audie Murphy Lt. USA" and signed by Murphy at bottom. These auctions, organized for the benefit of Navy veterans, were first held in 1944. Fine condition.$1,000-1,500 !=

To Eisenhower

366. BERNARD LAW MONTGOMERY (1887 - 1976) British Field Marshall who commenced the drive at El Alamein that ultimately drove Rommel from North Africa. Also involved in the invasions of Sicily and France. Excessively rare war-date A.L.S. and an excellent association, 1p. 8vo. on his monogrammed stationary, "HEADQUARTERS 21 ARMY GROUP", Dec. 23, 1944 to his superior, Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower! In full: "My dear Ike This is my third, and last, Pamphlet. I enclose you six copies. Yrs ever Monty". Mounted to a sheet from the famous Nathaniel Stein autograph collection, simply framed. Particularly interesting in that it was no secret that Montgomery and Eisenhower despised each other. Of even greater interest is that at the same time this letter was written, Patton's Third Army was being pounded in the Battle of the Bulge, with Bastogne surrounded and completely cut-off. Montgomery had just been given command of two American armies, and was struggling to cut the German northern flank from above. Montgomery was fond of writing pamphlets for those under his command, setting forth various policies and practices he expected. Unexamined out of frame. $2,500-3,500 !=

367. CHESTER W. NIMITZ (1885 - 1966) American admiral, Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War II and largely responsible for the successful "island-hopping" campaign against the Japanese. Outstanding I.S.P. 13" x 10 1/2" color, showing Nimitz and fellow military men witnessing the Japanese surrender instrument being signed by Gen. Yoshijiro Umezu, undertaken aboard the USS MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. Inscribed to actor and military officer Robert Montgomery at upper-left: "To Bob Montgomery with best wishes C. W. Nimitz Fleet Admiral USN". Matted with a caption listing those present at the ceremony, set into a wood frame. Unexamined out of frame, fine condition.$500-700 !=

368. MATTHEW B. RIDGWAY (1895 - 1994) American Army general who led airborne assaults on Sicily and commanded U.N. forces in the Korean War. A large archive of 16 documents is which the general responses to various questions posed by American citizens, mostly high school students, regarding the retired general's views of either military or political events. There are seven T.L.S. letters five of which are on his personal letterhead and nine A.N.S. notes with one being on his private stationery note pad and the rest being hand-written or typed directly onto letters that were directed to him. The documents vary in size and date between May 6, 1977 through Oct. 7, 1987 from Pittsburgh, Pa. and contain some very opinionated responses, in part: "...Apr. 14, 78...on `a military commanders responsibility for civilian casualties during a period of war'...your stated view `that a military commander's duty is to win the war as quickly as possible' is subject to severe qualifications...Aug. 18, 79...the leadership of the USSR has made it abundantly clear...that it intends to achieve such influence that no major problem anywhere in the world can be dealt with without its participation...Sept 10, 79...the VOLUNTEER SYSTEM has long been a demonstrated failure, and could well prove to be a disaster in war...the reinstitution of [the] Selective Service is a vital national need...I feel even more strongly than does Senator Baker that the present SALT II treaty is a bad treaty for our security...Sept 21, 79...awesome similarities...Hitler told the world what he planned to do...the USSR leadership has long been telling the world of its objectives...Feb. 14, 80...I do not think registration of young women is necessary...only as a last resort should we draft...July 23, 80...Mr. Carter's re-election would be [?] short of a disaster...Sept. 6, 80...every citizen should be glad to help defend this Nation...by all means enlist in the Army upon finishing high school...you will find you have greatly enlarged your horizons...Feb. 23, 82...to introduce armed forces of the United States into EL SALVADOR would gravely endanger the national interest...Oct. 7, 87...have had to sharply curtail correspondence, and have not autographed any of the photos as none of them played any part in my combat service...". Overall good to very good.$800-1,000 !=

369. ENOLA GAY A superb Hiroshima and Nagasaki item, the hardcover volume Great Events of the 20th Century, Time Books, N.Y., 1997, signed on the first free endpaper by fourteen crewmembers and scientists involved in the missions of the Enola Gay and Bock's Car which dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, 1945. Many add their rank and/or date of mission. Signatories include: FREDERICK J. ASHMONT (adding "Weaponer, Bocks Car"; DUTCH VAN KIRK (adding "Navigator, Enola Gay"); RICHARD H. NELSON (adding "Radio...Enola Gay"); PAUL TIBBETS (adding "Pilot b29 Enola Gay"); HAROLD M. AGNEW (adding "Scientific Observer"); LAWRENCE M. JOHNSON (adding "Scientific Measurements"; EDWARD TELLER; CHARLES W. SWEENEY (adding "Commander, Nagasaki"); TOM FEREBEE (adding "Bombardier, Enola Gay"); MORRIS JOHNSON (adding "Weapon Test Officer Enola Gay"); FRED D. OLIVI (adding "Co-pilot b-29 `Bock's Car'"); HUGH C. FERGUSON (adding "Pilot Bockscar Crew C-13"); C. D. ALBURY (who adds "Co-pilot to Sweeney"); and JOHN D. KUHAREK (adding "Flight Engineer"). $1,000-1,500 !=

370. ALVIN C. YORK (1887 - 1964) American soldier of World War I who single-handedly captured 132 German prisoners and was awarded a Medal of Honor. D.S., a partly-printed check "Sgt. Alvin C. York" filled-out in his hand making a payment of $59.28 to the Letbetter Motor Co., drawn on the Pickett Co. Bank & Trust Co. of Byrdstown, Tenn. and dated Jan. 28, 1954. Punch cancellation affects "Sgt" in signature. Matted and framed with a reproduced news photo and a brief biography of York. Not examined out of frame. $400-600 !=16420

371. AMERICAN MILITARY HEROES A fine grouping of ten autographs by prominent American military figures, in various formats, each very attractively matted and framed, and perfectly suited to display. Includes: MARK W. CLARK (cut signature); JIMMY DOOLITTLE (cut signature); HENRY L. STEVENSON (vintage I.S.P.); JAMES M. GAVIN (T.L.S. 1968); LUCIUS D. CLAY (T.L.S. 1967); JAMES WAINWRIGHT (cut signature); LOUIS B. HERSHEY (T.L.S. 1946); MAXWELL D. TAYLOR (signature on image of Bleriot XI); WILLIAM F. HALSEY (cut signature) and ROBERT MORGAN (S.P. showing Memphis Belle and crew). Ten pieces, a great dealer's grouping, very good condition. Unexamined out of frame. $400-600

Sold with a war ribbon

372. TOMOYULI YAMASHITA (1885 - 1946) Japanese general of World War II, the "Tiger of Malaysia" led forces in the capture of Malaya and Singapore and did not surrender until September 2, 1945. Hanged for war crimes. Very rare signature in English: "T. Yamashita" on a small slip, likely a portion of his calling card. The signature is affixed to the mount of a 9" x 12" b/w period photo of Yamashita in uniform seated at a table. At the lower left corner of the photo are affixed what are purported to be three of Yamashita's service ribbons, including the Order of the Golden Kite, the Order of the Sacred Treasure, and the Order of Chrysanthemum, given to Yamashita during his service in World War II. The ribbons are accompanied by a period typed description of the ribbons, set in an old, simple frame. Very good condition. Unexamined out of frame. $1,000-1,500 !=

373. MARTIN BORMANN (1900 - 1945?) Head of the Nazi Party Chancellery and private secretary to Adolf Hitler, by the end of World War II Bormann had become second only to Hitler himself in terms of real political power. Fine association T.L.S. "M. Bormann" 1p. tall 4to., Munich, Aug. 1. 1942, on "Nationalzialistische Deutsche Arbeitpartei" letterhead to Heinrich Himmler, marked Personal at top. In part: "...A photocopy of a letter of 8.7.1942 with its enclosure from 1.7.1942...". File holes at left and several rusty paperclip marks, else boldly signed and very good.$400-600 !=

From Sepp Dietrich's SS personnel file

374. JOSEF "SEPP" DIETRICH (1892 - 1966) Commanded 6th Panzer Army in the Battle of the Bulge. Sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for the execution of American P.O.W.'s during the offensive. A most important archive of material obtained from the SS personnel file on Dietrich, a total of eight documents with startlingly good content. Included in this fine grouping are: JOSEPH "SEPP" DIETRICH T.L.S. "Dietrich" on Commanding General, Liebstandarte Adolf Hitler letterhead, 1p. 4to., "Headquarters", December, 1943 to the family of a deceased soldier under Dietrich commend. In part: "...We men of the Fuhrer's Liebstandarte are remembering the deceased members of the SS...who in our ranks died for the Reich's freedom and greatness...the battle against the communists in the year 1943 requires more hardness and violent anger than ever before. In loyalty to our Fuhrer, our comrades died as courageous soldiers in the highest performance of our duties. We should further struggle with the same loyalty and bravery so that at the end is: The German Victory!..."; DIETRICH, D.S. "Josef Dietrich SS-Gruppenfuhrer", 1p. 4to., Friedrichroda, Oct. 20, 1934, a pencil signed retained copy of Dietrich's SS Secrecy Agreement in which he pledges: "...I expressly agree that I will not make any statements...about secret writing materials and their use...also after my departure from the SA...I am aware that violations...constitutes noncompliance with a special order...[and] is tantamount to treason...I promise to report immediately all violations...of which I become aware..."; HEINRICH HIMMLER T.L.S. with initials "HH" on Reichsfuhrer SS letterhead, 1p. 4to., Munich, Oct. 14, 1932 to Dietrich: "I appoint you Fuhrer of the SS-Group-North. The Effective Date of Appointment is 1 October 1932...", trimmed at left margin; HIMMLER T.L.S. "HH" (hastily scribbled in red pencil), 1p. 4to., [n.p.], Oct. 2, 1933, to Dietrich: "I appoint you Commander of the Group-East, effective 1 October 1933...", WALTER SCHMITT Waffen SS Lt. General and Head of SS Personnel Department, D.S. on onionskin, Fuhrer Headquarters, Oct. 1, 1941, a carbon copy of Hitler's appointment of Dietrich to serve as "General der Waffen-SS"; (ADOLF HITLER) 1p. 4to., Berlin, Mar. 16, 1943, an original typed retained copy of Hitler's telegram to Dietrich awarding him "...the Oak Leaf cluster with Swords for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross..." for heroism, signed in type; Dietrich's SS Personal Records data file, 4pp. legal folio, listing his advancement through the ranks of the SS listing date of promotion, rank, to which group he was attached, medals and awards, and so on, curiously ending on April 20, 1942; and finally, a 10" x 8" photo showing Dietrich with the children of Minister Albert Speer. Eight pieces, all in very good condition, with translations. A superb archive chronologically following the advancement of one of German's finest generals.$3,000-5,000 !=

375. JOSEF GOEBBELS (1897 - 1945) Nazi Minister of Propaganda with Hitler from the earliest days, a master of manipulation of the masses who took his life and those of his family members in the last days of the war. A grouping of Goebbels material, includes: S.P. 3 1/2" x 5" b/w, a Hoffman half-length seated pose boldly signed; two photos, each 4" x 5 3/4" b/w, one showing Goebbels with a daughter, another showing him with his six children (all of whom he ordered murdered); and Goebbel's personal calling card. Four pieces, very good.$600-800 !=

376. RUDOLF HESS (1894 - 1987) Nazi German Deputy Fuehrer and second in command after Goering, Hess was one of Hitler's closest confidantes and friends. In an unauthorized peace mission, Hess flew a German fighter to England and surrendered, purportedly attempting to ally Germany with Great Britain against Russia. His mission, of course, failed and Hess was imprisoned at Spandau where he was found haged in 1987. Superb S.P. "R. Hess", 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" b/w, a stern, chest, up portrait boldly signed in blue ink at bottom. Fine. $700-900 !=

Dedicated to Martin Bormann

377. HEINRICH HIMMLER (1900 - 1945) Hitler's Chief of the Gestapo placed in charge of security and responsible for the construction and operation of extermination camps. He chose suicide rather than face a hangman's noose at Nuremburg. An outstanding association signed book dedicated by Himmler to Nazi Party Secretary, Martin Bormann! The book is The Shaping and Changing of the Reich, printed by Giebelhausen, Berlin, 1944, a detailed and copiously illustrated history of Germany, which of course concludes with a testimony to the greatness of Hitler's Reich. The front flyleaf is inscribed in a calligraphic hand to "SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Martin Bormann with my best wishes Heil Hitler 24 December 1944" and bears Himmler's very large and bold sentiment and signature. The opposite front pastedown bears a period notation, likely by an Allied soldier: "Taken from Berchtesgaten 6 May 1945". It is interesting to note that Himmler delivered this book just days after the Battle of the Bulge had commenced! Spine sides split and covers worn with some spotting, gutters torn and simply repaired, yet signed page and contents remain very good. A very rare war-date association from two of Germany's worst villains.$1,500-2,500 !=

378. REINHARD HEYDRICH (1904 - 1942) "The Hangman", Nazi head of the dreaded SS and architect of the "Final Solution", his assassination in Prague caused retribution in the destruction of Lidice and the murder of many of its inhabitants, Very rare war-date T.L.S. "Heydrich" on "Der Chef der Sicherheitspolizi" letterhead, 1p. 4to., Berlin, Aug. 4, 1941 to the Lt. General of the Police in Hamburg. In part: "...I am sending you a Service Identification Card (Nr. 423) for the year 1941. I would ask that you place your signature underneath the photograph...I would ask you to attach it to your identification disk (Nr. 423), because I am of the opinion that the Higher SS and Police Leader...should not provide a worse appearance than may a subordinate officer...". File holes at left margin, else very good.$1,000-1,500 !=

379. HEINRICH HIMMLER (1900 - 1945) Hitler's Chief of the Gestapo placed in charge of security and responsible for the construction and operation of extermination camps. He chose suicide rather than face a hangman's noose at Nuremburg. Rare, very early T.L.S. "Heinrich Himmler" on "Der Volkische Block" letterhead, 1p. 4to., Landshut, Aug. 1, 1924. On the Nazi Party's propaganda newspaper letterhead, Himmler writes in part: "...I request that you hand in the applications for the public speaking course...as quickly as possible. I cannot believe that Eggenfelde will send no one...I request that you send the confidential agents' questionnaires and the monthly report...keep to the deadlines, otherwise the work is too difficult. I remind you that payment of contributions is due on 5 August...without money...no business can be maintained, nor can an organization be built...". Very good. $700-900 !=

380. ADOLF HITLER (1889 - 1945) Fuhrer of Germany and Nazi Party leader, Hitler's bloody rise to power, his military seizure of most of Europe and North Africa and his genocidal racial policies culminated in suicide in his Berlin bunker as Russian troops approached. Fine content D.S. on official NSDAP letterhead, 1p. 4to., Munich, Mar.23, 1932 in which Hitler bestows the honorary title of "SS-Sturm 1 Henry Kobert" upon the SS police unit SS-Sturm 1/28 of Hamburg. Also initialed "R" by ERNST ROHM (1887-1934), Nazi Brownshirt who organized, trained and headed the SA, a friend of Hitler who was at his side in the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch, later set-up and executed by Hitler following their disagreement on the use of the 2 million-strong SA. File holes in blank left margin, else near fine. $1,500-2,000 !=

381. JOSEF MENGELE (1911 - ca. 1980) Nazi "doctor" who plied his trade at Auschwitz, he was the most brutal and detestable of all the camp doctors. It was Mengele's decision as to whether camp inmates would be used as forced labor or sent directly to the gas chambers, and he also performed hideous experiments on inmates, especially twins. After the war, Mengele fled to Argentina where he avoided capture until his death. Excessively rare signature "Josef Mengele" taken from a document, likely a "fragebogen", or autobiographical report. Very good to fine condition, matted with a photo. $1,500-2,000 !=

382. VIDKUN QUISLING (1887 - 1945) Norwegian politician whose name became synonymous with "traitor", Quisling was a Nazi sympathizer who urged Hitler to invade Norway. Executed for war crimes. Excessively rare A.D.S. "Vidkun Quisling" on his personal letterhead, Oslo, Oct. 31, 1939, in Norwegian. Untranslated, possibly a pass or note of introduction. Boldly penned, fine condition. Sold with an original 3" x 5" candid photo showing Quisling in uniform standing beside two other men.$400-600 !=

383. ERWIN J. ROMMEL (1891 - 1944) German field marshal whose Afrika Corps threw back repeated British and American assaults in North Africa, later he defended Normandy and ultimately was forced to commit suicide due to his implication in the Hitler bomb plot. Rare good content war-date A.L.S. "Erwin" 2pp. 4to., [Cantonment area], Jan. 4, 1940 in German to his wife Lucie, in small part: "...The hunt yesterday was fabulous. I am still tired in a good sort of way... The event started in a nice way...the hunt began, assisted by the sons and daughters as game flushers...the domestics, reinforced by thirty Polish prisoners, flushed the game...No news here. The Fuhrer is apparently still at the Berghof [Hitler's retreat at Berchtesgaden]. [Gen. Eduard] Dietl will probably be transferred to our troops...Heartiest greetings and a kiss for you both [wife and son Manfred]...". Dietl was indeed later commanding troops with Rommel, but only after his brilliant seizure of Narvik in February, 1940. A month later, Rommel assumed command of the 7th Panzer Div. which a few months hence would cross the Meuse into France. Fine condition. $2,500-3,500 !=

384. KURT STUDENT (1890 - 1978) German general of paratroopers, the commander of the world's first airborne division who took the "impregnable" Eben Emael, later he undertook the invasion of Crete with mixed success. Important D.S. (with rare purple stamped signature of ADOLF HITLER), 1p. legal folio, "Fuhrer Headquarters", Nov. 16, 1944, also signed by Infantry Gen. LUDWIG BURGDORF, the appointment of Student to "Supreme Commander of the First Parachute Army with the command of Army Group H" Sold with a Student S.P. "Student general der Flieger", 3" x 4" b/w showing Student in uniform, boldly signed at bottom. Student's airborne assault on Crete in 1941 saw over 4,000 parachutists killed. Hitler was shocked by the scale of these losses and decided that no more large-scale airborne operations should be undertaken. The invasion of Malta was cancelled, and it was decided that airborne units should be used as ground troops instead. Student's troops were used in Italy, Belgium, Holland and France during 1944. After the Normandy landings, his 1st Parachute Army attempted to halt the advance of General Bernard Montgomery and his allied troops to the Rhine. $600-800

385. NAZI LEADERS Unusual D.S. 2pp. 8vo., Munich, February 10, 1936, a printed program for a concert given in honor of the 1936 Olympics, bearing a blind-embossed Nazi party seal on the cover, and signed in pencil by four Nazi leaders, including: Gestapo Chief HEINRICH HIMMLER, Minister of Propaganda JOSEF GOEBBELS, Deputy Prime Minister ADOLF WAGNER and General FRANZ RITTER VON EPP. Stained spots at top left and rights corners, a prominent vertical fold, otherwise good. A scarce combination of signatures. $750-1,000 !=

386. COMMANDERS OF THE GERMAN AFRIKA CORPS A rare grouping of four documents, each signed by a commander of Hitler's vaunted Afrika Corps. Included are: ERWIN ROMMEL (1891-1944) German field marshal whose Afrika Corps threw back repeated British and American assaults in North Africa, ultimately was forced to commit suicide due to his implication in the Hitler bomb plot. War-date D.S. 2pp. legal folio, [North Africa], Feb. 12, 1942 awarding three men the War Merit Cross, 2nd Class with Swords; Col. Gen. ALFRED GAUSE, Rommel's Afrika Corps Panzer Army Chief of Staff, S.P. 4" x 6" b/w showing Gause in uniform, signed on verso and adding a three-line listing of his commands; Gen. LUDWIG CRUEWELL, German general who took over the command of the Afrika Korps when Rommel assumed command of Panzer Group Africa, D.S. 2pp. legal folio, [Headquarters], Feb. 22, 1942, an award list for the War Merit Cross, 2nd Class, signed as commander of the Afrika Corps, and; Col. Gen. HANS-JUERGEN VON ARNIM, German officer who succeeded Rommel as commander of Group Afrika, D.S. 1p. 8vo., Oct. 10, 1941 awarding a soldier an Iron Cross. A rare and difficult-to-assemble collection, in very good condition. $1,000-1,500 !=

A rare Civil War-date document

387. MARCUS A. RENO (1835 - 1889) Union brigadier general and Indian fighter with Custer at Little Big Horn, accused of cowardice and failure to support Custer during the massacre. Rare Civil War date D.S. "Ma. Reno Capt. [?]" 1p. 4to., Harrisburg, Pa., July 17, 1863, approving the discharge of Pvt. Manassa Henry a nine month militia draftee. Light to moderate soiling, numerous creases, otherwise very good.$2,000-3,000 !=

"Don't lose a moment!"

388. NAPOLEON BONAPARTE Fine content, lengthy L.S. "Nap" with holograph emendations, 4pp. 4to., Cacu, "four in the morning", May 26, 1811. Following the disastrous Portugal campaign, Napoleon writes an urgent letter to Berthier to regroup his armies, in small part: "...Don't lose a moment...to write every day to Marshal Marmont and to send him instructions...Make it known to Marmont that he must... reorganize his army, reinforce the 6th division, and send back the Generals who convened with him; that he must take the colonels in the second corps of Gen. Drouet to...give command of the Vacau [?] regiment, choosing a strong officer, who will be send to his administration...who will raise in the province of Salamanca...all the mules he can find...that the Duke d'Istrie is second in command of all...Write to the Duke d'Istrie that he is given [in holograph] 500 horses or mules...to perfectly remount the artillery of the Duke of Raguse, for it is necessary that this army held his mobile artillery be in good condition...that 400 artillery horses and equipment...in movement in Bayonne...Strongly recommend to the Duke de Raguse...to reform his army...It is necessary to send an officer to the Duke d'Istrie to make him know that I hope that he will take all measures decidedly useful for the army of Portugal...". Napoleon's 1810 campaign began optimistically, but his army was repulsed by Wellington at Bussaco in late September, and a winter of increasing frustration followed. By March 1811 he was forced to retreat toward Spain, leaving, by April Alameda as the only French stronghold. There, he once again met Wellington, only to once again be roundly defeated on April 4, 1811. AUGUSTE-FREDERIC MARMONT, Duc de Raguse (1774-1852), was one of Napoleon's most powerful officers, succeeding Ney in command of the VI corps under Massena, and commanding the Army of Portugal in early May, 1811. Very good condition.$1,500-2,000 !=

389. NAPOLEON BONAPARTE A great association item, a bold signature on a L.S. by Napoleon's stepson EUGENE DE BEAUHARNAIS (1871 - 1824), Viceroy of Italy, signed as "Eugene Napoleon" 1p. tall 4to., Montra, Aug. 9, 1806, in part: "...I have the honor of addressing to Your Majesty the information which was asked of me on the counts taken by the Minister of War for March and April. I observe...that the five hundred thousand francs in question in the...were sent...to Naples...". Very boldly signed by Napoleon at top "Np". Folds, otherwise very good condition.$1,000-1,500 !=

390. NAPOLEON BONAPARTE Fine content L.S. "Napole" with several holograph emendations, 2pp. 4to., Paris, Mar. 29, 1811, to Gen. Alexandre Berthier, in part: "...Send an order to Bayonne that of four thousand [men] on the field, two thousand are for the army of Portugal, one and a half for the army of the Center, and ... for the army of middle...The first battalion will be at Vittoria under the command of General Caffarelli...Caffarelli will be furnished other troops for the convoy up to Valladolio. There, [Marshal Jean-Baptiste] Duke d'Istrie will take two thousand to Portugal...Send me back a word...". With several holograph corrections in the text, boldly signed and very good. $1,000-1,500