670. HERMANN GOERING'S REICHSMARSHAL SHOULDER EPAULET One of the finest Goering relics extant, his silver and gold uniform shoulder epaulet with solid provenance! The epaulet measures 4" x 1 3/4", with three cords of intertwined, intricately woven strands bearing two silver crossed marshal's batons, all resting on a felt backing with loop for attachment to Goering's uniform. This fine relic is accompanied by an original signed letter of provenance from USAF Major Gen. HOYT S. VANDENBERG, JR. on his personal letterhead, 1p. 4to., Tucson, [n.d.]. It reads in part: "...the Reich Marshal epaulet was removed by my father, General Hoyt Vandenberg, from the white [dress] uniform hanging in the closet of the Paris apartment used by Goering and subsequently by my father. The epaulet was given to me after the war in Europe and has been in my possession ever since...". Fine condition. Gen. Hoyt. S. Vandenberg (1899-1954) was Chief of Staff of the 12th Air Force, and in April, 1944 was designated deputy air commander in chief of the A.E.F. and commander of the American Air Component, and in August, 1944 assumed command of the Ninth Air Force. One can only imagine the vain Luftwaffe marshal pinning this epaulet to his uniform before a night out "en Paris". An important, meaningful relic with ironclad provenance!            $4,000 - 5,000