Description:

MAO ZEDONG WAR-DATE TWICE-SIGNED 'SHORT SNORTER'
MAO ZEDONG (1893 - 1976) Chinese statesman, commonly known as 'Chairman Mao', a communist revolutionary who became the founding father of the People's Republic of China, which he ruled as the Chairman of the Communist Party of China from its establishment in 1949 until his death in 1976. Mao helped to found the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, and in 1949 Mao's forces defeated the Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-Shek. On October 1, 1949, Mao proclaimed the foundation of the People's Republic of China. An incredible rarity with impeccable provenance, a war-date Chinese banknote signed in both Chinese characters and in English by MAO ZEDONG, additionally signed in Chinese and English by ZHU DE (1886-1976), Chinese general, military strategist, politician and revolutionary in the Chinese Communist Party. Zhu was critically important to Mao, merging their forces to great effect. During the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War, he held the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Red Army. Zhu also organized the Hundred Regiments Offensive. Mao's signatures are accomplished in black ink (Chinese characters followed by 'Mao Tse Tung') on the face of a 500 Yuan / 500 Yan Shaan-Gan-Ning Bianky Inxang banknote. Beneath Mao's signature appears that of ZHU DE, also signing in Chinese and English using his the romanized spelling of his name, 'Chiu Teh'. The front of the note is now badly faded due to exposure to the sun while framed, probably due to the use of 'adversity ink' when printed, but both signatures remain very bold and distinct and the verso of the note still bears its original color. This note, along with about 30 other notes once part of a 'chain' of 'short snorters' (bills, usually signed, kept by soldiers as souvenirs of their travels), was pasted to light cardboard by the recipient's wife who displayed it in their home. At least two other notes bear signatures, one with an unidentified Chinese signature as well as the signature of Joseph C. Gillen, an Army Air Corps flier and likely a member of the 40th Bomb Group and other illegible signatures certainly worthy of study. This fabulous piece was obtained directly from Mao and Zhu by New Orleans native Lt. Louis M. Jones, step-father of our consignor, and it is accompanied by a great deal of provenance. Jones flew some of the first B-29s and also transported aviation fuel to China. He was selected to serve on the United States Army Observation Group (the 'Dixie Mission'), the first US effort to gather intelligence and establish relations with the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army, then headquartered in the mountainous city of Yan'an, Shaanxi. The mission was launched on 22 July 1944 and Jones was initially tasked with the rescue of downed Allied airmen behind the lines. In January, 1945 the Americans announced that there would be no troop landings on the Chinese mainland and military aid to the Chinese forces would end. Dixie Mission members departed Mao's base at Yan'an, leaving only two officers from the original contingent: a weather officer and Jones, now mission commander. Jones states that he met with Mao and other military and governmental leaders on a weekly basis, sharing meals - even a repast of dog meat which during which Mao offered Jones an 'out' which he refused to accept. The 'short snorter' is mentioned in a letter Jones sent to the National World War II Museum in 2006. He mentions exchanging short snorters with Mao at one of their meetings and his wife's creation of the display offered here. The provenance includes a copy of this letter, two lengthy memoirs of his China service by Jones, another memoir published by '40th Bomb Group Association Memories' in 1986, and a lengthy print-out from a website dedicated to the 40th Bomb Group, and a brief note from our consignor describing her relationship to Jones, her much-beloved stepfather. WITH: Jones' 'Dixie Mission III' cloth shoulder patch with Chinese pin, 4.5 in. tall, likely a postwar reunion item. A twice-signed Mao Zedong item is excessively rare - a war-date 'short-snorter, also signed by his most valued general is simply otherwise unobtainable.

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March 27, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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