Lot 1305

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Description:

(1887-1982) German fighter pilot, an ace credited with 30 victories. An unusual signed commemorative cover issued by the R.A.F. in honor of Billy Bishop with a color image of his attack on Jasta 5 on June 2, 1917 for which he was awarded his Victoria Cross. Signed “Josef Mai, Jasta 5” in blue ink by Mai, later neatly crossing through his signature and fighter squadron with a single line in blue ink. The reason behind Mai crossing through his signature is an interesting one. Having signed the cover Mai consulted his log book and discovered that Bishop's claim of shooting down three German aircraft and destroying others on the ground was not factually correct. Two photocopies of typed letters signed by Mai, in German and explaining the circumstances in more detail are included with the lot. Indeed, as German records and other archived papers relating to Bishop's Victoria Cross award have been lost it has been suggested that the pilot may well have embellished his success.

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May 1, 2019 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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$100 $499 $20
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$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