Description:

COMBAT-USED BATTLE OF ST. MIHIEL ADVANCE MAP, OWNED BY COL. WILLIAM J. DONOVAN
Historic map with hand-written notations, used by an officer of the U.S. 165th Infantry Regiment during the brutal Battle of St. Mihiel, Sep. 12-16, 1918. The map, 29.5 x 22.25 in., is dated July 13, 1918 in French at top right, and presents a 1:20-scale view of the commune of Chambley, showing the northern extent of the sector assigned to the 165th. It is heavily annotated in various colors of indelible pencil, showing in particular the position reached by the regiment by the end of the first day near the villages of Beney and Thiaucourt, the objective line set prior to the battle, running through St. Benoit, and the actual exploitation line reached by the regiment to the north of the original objective, near Dampvitoux and Dommartin. These are boldly labeled in black ink. Additional points of interest, including ammunition dumps, French artillery batteries, and patrol lines, are all picked out in pencil, with numerous annotations added in the left margin. The verso bears the pencil notation: ‘Chambley 1/20 with Sectors & Positions Marked Map used in combat Lt. B[…]', with the name too faint to make out but possibly Co. M 2nd Lt. Arthur L. Bunnell. Below appears an additional notation in green indelible pencil: ‘Sectors and Positions Organization of the Terrain Div[ision] Map for the advance', signed ‘Allen' by 1st Lt. Harold L. Allen, intelligence officer of the 165th Regiment Headquarters Company. A strip consisting of the top 1.5 inches of another map sheet has been pasted to the bottom edge, extending the map south to incorporate Thiaucourt, and the map shows folds overall with some splits thereto, with chips to the edges and mud stains to the verso, all consistent with field use. In very good condition, making for a fantastic display. The map originates from the estate of WILLIAM J. DONOVAN (1883-1959) 'Wild Bill', American brigadier general chosen by Roosevelt to head the O.S.S. (precursor to the C.I.A.). Donovan planted over 16,000 people behind enemy lines and developed elaborate plans to subvert Axis military operations. During World War I, Donovan served as colonel of the U.S. 165th Regiment, originally the famous 69th New York Infantry 'Fighting Irish'. The regiment would distinguish itself at the Second Battle of the Marne, the Ourcq River during the Aisne-Marne Offensive, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Donovan himself would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in mid-October, 1918. This map, along with other maps and documents, was contained within two of Donovan's footlockers purchased by our consignor and previously sold by us.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$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 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000