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: French Army 1:50,000-scale 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. Bears a pencil inscription on the verso: ‘1/50,000 Rheims [sic] showing area occupied during the champagne offensive of 14-15 July ‘18. No dispositions of troops are shown.' Signed ‘A' at the conclusion, for 1st Lt. Harold L. Allen, intelligence officer of the 165th Regiment Headquarters Company. Shows file holes at the bottom edge and small edge tears overall, with folds and mud stains consistent with field use, else very good. WITH: a commercial 1:200,000-scale map, 27 x 20.75 in., showing Paris and the region to the northeast, including Soissons and Chateau-Thierry. Bears a pencil inscription on the verso in Lt. Allen's hand: ‘General 1/200,000 Showing area of the battle of the Marne Salient [Second Marne].' Shows folds, with additional identifying pencil notations to the verso, very good. WITH: 1:50,000-scale map, 21 x 29.25 in., depicting the environs of the commune of Montfaucon, including Verdun at lower right. Adapted from a French ‘Plan Directeur' artillery map produced by the ‘Groupe des Canevas de Tir', marked at bottom right as being printed at ‘Base Printing Plant, 29th Engineers, U.S. Army', and dated 1918. Shows one or two small tears to the edges, else very good. WITH: 33.5 x 23.25 in. map showing the environs of Epinal, showing folds but otherwise in fine condition. WITH: 1:200,000-scale map, 26.5 x 20 in., showing the environs of Nancy, including the communes of Baccarat and Luneville, where the 165th first saw combat after arriving in France. Shows folds, with one or two minor splits at 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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