Lot 491

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Description:

HARLAN NELSON HARTNESS (1898 - 1986) Highly-decorated Brigadier General, Assistant Commanding General and later Commanding General of the 26th 'Yankee' Infantry Division during World War II, which fought in the Battle of the Bulge and liberated Gusen concentration camp with the 11th Armored Division. He later served as the Commanding General of the 7th Infantry Division in Korea between 1946 and 1948, then as the Commanding General of the 4th Infantry Division between 1950 and 1953, ending his military career as Director of the Office of Armed Forces Information & Education, Department of Defense (European Command). Recipient of the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, French Legion of Honor, French Croix de Guerre with Star, French Croix de guerre with Palms, European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, among others. An excellent war-date uniform with impeccable provenance, his 'Uniform, Service, Officer's, 2-piece Khaki, Tropical Worsted, Pattern dated March 5th, 1945, Spec. P.Q.D. Number 301A', bearing a cloth tag within a pocket with the printed date 'June 5, 1945'. The right upper sleeve bears a 26th 'Yankee' Infantry Division insignia patch, while the left upper sleeve bears a Fifth Army insignia patch. Each shoulder strap bears a pinned-on silver General's star, though they are clearly worn and not of standard issue, being secured to the garment via a straight pin and catch. Interestingly, each flap pocket contains a small hand-sewn packet of cloves, which Hartness (and others) believed would bring luck, fortune, and protection from harm. The interior lining, presumably constructed of tan rayon or synthetic silk, bears a brown cloth maker's tag beneath a slash pocket, reading 'REGULATION ARMY OFFICER'S COAT'. Notable perspiration stains to the armpits, some moth holes, else very good condition. Sold with his matching pair of trousers, bearing a matching 'REGULATION' tag and named TWICE by Hartness - once 'H.N. Hartness' on the interior of the waistband, then again 'Gen. Hartness' on the interior of one of the back pockets. Sold with his khaki shirt-uniform tie. The lot also includes his 1951 to 1954 period 'Coat, Wool, Elastique, O.D. Dark Officer's M-1944' with belt and buckle and with three ribbon bars. Each shoulder strap bears two embroidered-on Major General's stars. The right upper sleeve also bears his 26th 'Yankee' Division patch, while the left upper sleeve bears a Fourth Army Division insignia patch. A laundry tag on the interior bears the hand-inked name: 'GEN. HARTNESS'. Sold with his original chocolate tie. This jacket was taken from a large grouping of Hartness's uniforms consigned to us from a prominent private collection on public display. Adding further provenance, the tunic is sold with an assortment of newspaper clippings, photographs, and assorted ephemera collected by Hartness, many from the early 1950's period when he was with the Fourth Infantry Division, as well as a wealth of biographical research.

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May 22, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000