Lot 955

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Description:

Interesting group of seven items related to the service of U.S. Navy sailor Richard W. "Bill" Zajicek during the "Operation Crossroads" atomic tests at Bikini Atoll in July of 1946, during which he served aboard the salvage vessel USS PALMYRA. The group includes: a partly-colorized photograph of the PALMYRA, displayed in a paper frame depicting a large mushroom cloud (with the vessel at center), with maps of the Marshall Island and Bikini Atoll at upper left and right, and with illustrations of some of the warships expended as targets at bottom, above the title "Operation Crossroads". This in turn is enclosed by a larger paper frame, bearing Zajicek's name and the name of his ship in black ink, above paper facsimiles of three medal ribbon bars. WITH: a fine content A.L.S., 1p. 8vo (sight), Bikini Atoll, June 21, 1946 (ten days before the test's "Able" shot), from Zajicek to his parents, in part: "Well we pull out tomorrow until the A. Bomb goes off. (Very shortly). We are pretty busy out here and I sure wish the hell we aren't here to much longer [sic]. This place will drive you nuts. This letter is an 'able' day letter. So keep this as a souvenir, it is very few people who will receive one of these..." The original transmittal envelope is also present, postmarked July 1, 1946, the day of the "Able" shot, and additionally franked "Atomic Bomb Test Bikini Atoll". WITH: printed D.S., 1p. 3.75 in. x 2.5 in. (sight), a card certifying that Zajicek has participated in the "Operation Crossroads" as a crewmember of the PALMYRA. It is signed by the commander of the ship, with the printed signature of Rear Admiral William H.P. Blandy, commander of Joint Task Force 1 during the test. WITH: a U.S. Navy souvenir "Atomic Short Snorter", Zajicek's U.S. Navy Immunization Record card, and his "Order of the Golden Dragon" membership card. All of the above items are matted in grey and mounted in a 34 in. x 24 in. green-painted wood frame. The letter, envelope, and smaller ephemera items show a few folds, small tears and minor soiling, else very good overall. Following the "Operation Crossroads" tests, the PALMYRA participated in the salvage of the target ships damaged by the blasts, after which contamination from the tests prevented her from being released for other duties until February of 1947.

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April 1, 2020 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$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