Description:

WESTERN FRONT MAPS, USED BY COL. WILLIAM J. DONOVAN (5)
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. Fine lot of five maps used by Donovan, showing various locales on the Western Front through which the 165th passed and fought, including: an entirely hand-drawn 25 x 19.5 in. ink and pencil map of the commune of Deneuvre, used as a rest camp by the 165th following their introduction to combat near Luneville and Baccarat in June 1918, and heavily damaged by artillery during the war. Executed on semi-transparent brown paper, likely intended as an overlay to a larger map. Shows a 3 in. tear to the left edge, with a few small chips to the edges and folds overall, else very good. WITH: 1:20,000-scale map, 28.75 x 22.25 in., an artillery map depicting the environs north of the commune of Chambley, also just north of the furthest point of advance reached by the 165th and the rest of the 42nd Infantry Division during the Battle of St. Mihiel, Sep. 12-15, 1918. Marked ‘G-2-C, 1st Army' at top left, indicating production by that army's military intelligence map-making corps, and dated September 12, 1918 at top right. Shows folds and notable soiling overall, else very good. WITH: French Army 1:50,000-scale artillery map of the region southwest of the city of Reims, including the environs around the communes of St. Hilaire, Auberive and Jonchery, the site of the German Champagne-Marne Offensive and the Second Battle of the Marne, July 14-18, 1918. Shows file holes and slight soiling at the bottom edge, with folds overall, else very good. WITH: 1:200,000-scale map, 26.5 x 20 in., showing the environs of Chalons, including Reims and the commune of Fismes. Marked with a black ink line running just north of Reims, labeled ‘Battle Line March 20th, 1918', showing the state of the war when the 165th first arrived in Europe. Marked at bottom right as being printed at ‘Base Printing Plant, 29th Engineers, U.S. Army', and dated 1918. Shows a 3 in. tear at bottom left, with folds and one or two minor splits at the edges, else very good. WITH: 1:20,000-scale map, 29.5 x 41.75 in., depicting the commune of Fismes and the region to the south along the Ourcq River, just to the east of the point crossed by the 165th. Shows folds with one or two small tears to the edges, else very good. Five pieces. These maps, along with other maps and documents, were contained within two of Donovan's footlockers purchased by our consignor and previously sold by us.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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