Lot 810

Previous image preload Next image preload

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). Enormous collection of hundreds of photographs, letters, clippings, and documents, most collected by Hartness while commanding the Fourth Infantry Division in the early-1950s, when the division was deployed to Germany as the first of four American divisions committed to N.A.T.O. during the early years of the Cold War. Far too exhaustive to include everything, the most notable pages include: his personal file bearing five messages, speeches, and rough drafts written/given by him, including a Christmas message, an Armistice Day message, a speech given to officers on the welfare of their soldiers, and more; a proclamation from the New York City Mayor's Office, 1p. 4to., dated May 22, 1951, declaring May 24, 1951 to be 'Fourth Infantry Day' in the city, requesting all residences to display the national colors in honor of the Division's arrival, signed at the conclusion by VINCENT R. IMPELLITTERI; a Corps Operations Exercise sheet for teaching an Army Corps proper command decisions, which includes two maps of an Italian region bearing different divisional markings, as well as seven accompanying overlays; a 'Manual for Strategic Planning', published by the Command and General Staff College in Dec. 1, 1948, largely unread yet stressing the importance of strategic planning; and a ca. 1936 folder with pages in both German and English, appearing to bear military training documents and mentioning 'Panzer' regiments, largely unidentified yet apparently Hartness's work book for attending class in the German War Academy in 1936. Sold with a thick personalized photo album, marked 'Harlan N. Hartness...Brigadier General U.S.A.' in gilt lettering on the front cover, containing at least a hundred affixed newspaper clippings and dozens more photographs, mostly content. From a large grouping of Hartness's uniforms consigned to us from a prominent private collection on public display. Sold with a wealth of biographical information.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

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

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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