Description:

U.S. MILITARY INTELLIGENCE MAPS OF SIBERIA, OWNED BY COL. WILLIAM J. DONOVAN (3)
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. Interesting group of three 1:1,680,000-scale maps, each 26.5 x 25.75 in., depicting the environs of Vladivostok, Omsk and Surgut, all in Russian Siberia. Each map is marked at lower left: ‘Translated and redrawn by the Military Intelligence Branch, Executive Division, General Staff, Washington 1918'. A detailed key and guide to Russian geographical terms is printed along the bottom margin of each. Each map shows folds, with a small hole near the top center of the Omsk example, else very good to fine. In 1919, while on his honeymoon, Donovan traveled to Siberia under instructions from then-Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had appointed him to the Office of Naval Intelligence and tasked him with gathering information on anti-Bolshevik White Russian forces in the region. We surmise that these maps were consulted by Donovan in preparation for or during this trip. These examples, 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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March 27, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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