Military

311. Henry Knox Autograph Letter Signed. Revolutionary

War general, first United States Secretary of War, and founder of the military school that became West Point (1750–1806). ALS signed “H. Knox,” one page, 7.75 x 12.5, March 7, 1787. Handwritten letter to “Gen’l Jackson,” in part: “I have attempted in vain an order for the money due from Mr. L. Beekman—The board owe Mr. Lowell, and are apprehensive of some difficulty. I don’t despair of obtaining the order, but at present, I cannot get it. I have in a public letter written you this day, enclosed a letter for Tho’s Russell Esq. containing an order for 1000 Dollars. I hope you may get this sum.” In very good to fine condition, with light staining and small chips along the edges. Starting Bid $200

312. Civil War-era Fife by R. S. Meacham. Civil War–era wooden fife, measuring 24˝ long, manufactured by R. S. Meacham in Albany, New York. R.S. Meacham maintained a military and music store at 84 State Street in Albany, NY in the early and mid-19th century. Meacham’s was an importer and manufacturer of military goods and musical instruments. This fife has brass and ivory fittings and is marked “Meacham Albany.” Professionally mounted in a shadowbox frame to an overall size of 35 x 15.75. Accompanied by a publication entitled Militia Law, 1835, which advertises R. S. Meacham’s “Military & Music Store” on the back cover: “Military officers may here obtain every article necessary in equipping…Military bands furnished with complete sets of Instruments.” Starting Bid $200

313. George S. Patton German-Made Pewter Mug Presented as a Gift. German-made pewter mug that was pre-

sented as a gift by General George S. Patton, standing 4.5˝ in height, with the front and back engraved: “General Patton” and “Shep’s.” In fine condition. Accompanied by a handwritten statement of authenticity from Patton’s grandson, George Patton Waters, as well as a photo of Waters holding the offered mug. The statement: “This is to confirm that pewter mug given by General George S. Patton to ‘Shep’ is an authentic German made mug—looking at its 2 part construction (1⁄2 to 1⁄2) was the German way mugs of such material were constructed.” Starting Bid $200

314. World War II Broadside: Liberation of Paris. Museum quality,

hand-colored and embellished World War II broadside from post-liberation Paris, (circa 1944-45), 15.75 x 23.5, archivally mounted, matted, and framed under museum glass to an overall size of 23 x 30.5. Text in English and French – “Bienvenue á nos Alliés. A GREAT WELCOME. We extend a great welcome to all Members of the Allied Forces. For all of your needs please apply to us. The french welcome committee.” Hand-colored flags of the United States, Great Britain and France vividly painted on the broadside, welcoming American, British, and other allied troops to the newly liberated city. Red and blue hand-painted decorative borders of the broadside. The broadside promotes the information office of the French Welcome Committee – “Le Comité Français de Bienvenue” located in Paris, 6, Place de la Madeleine. Accompanied by a pamphlet, “The Charm of Paris,” published by the “French Welcome Committee” (Spring 1945). Starting Bid $200

315. WWII OSS Stiletto Fighting Knife and ‘Pancake Flipper’ Scabbard. Rare official

Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Stiletto Fighting Knife, known as the ‘Pancake Flipper,’ made between 1942–1943 for behind-the-front line members. The blade measures 6.75˝ in length and the stippled brass grip measures 4.5˝ in length; this particular knife is believed to have been produced by Landers, Frary, and Clark of New Britain, Connecticut. Includes the original ‘pancake flipper’ scabbard. In overall fine condition. The knife and scabbard are accompanied by an unmarked 7-inch triangular spike dagger, a 3-inch H.G. Long & Co. blade, a 5.25 x 5 OSS flag, a WWII Special Force wing badge as worn by OSS operators, two OSS insignia badges (gold and white), and two Airborne Command badges. Starting Bid $200

‘Yarborough Knife,’ S/N 0426. Official Yarborough U.S. Special Forces Combat Knife, serial no. 0426, the first-ever serial-numbered combat knife issued to the Green Berets, signed on either side of the blade in gold ink by its namesake, William P. Yarborough. The knife measures 12.5˝ in length with a 7˝ spear point blade (elite CPM S35VN steel with a KG Gun-Kote finish) and a gripped canvas Micarta handle. Includes the matching Harsey/Reeve certificate of authenticity dated to July 21, 2003, which is signed and inscribed by Yarborough. In fine condition. A list of additional accompaniments can be found in our online description. Starting Bid $200

317. William P. Yarborough Original Signed Parachute Badge Designs and Photograph. Fascinating lot of

original artwork related to the creation of the Army Parachutist Badge, which was designed in 1941 by William P. Yarborough and approved by the Department of the Army in March of that year. Includes: an original signed graphite sketch by Yarborough of the badge; and a framed original hand-painted design of the Parachutist Badge, with frame backing annotated in black ink by Yarborough. In overall fine condition, with some light toning and scattered marks. Starting Bid $200

318. William P. Yarborough Parachute Wings Display and Signed Photograph. Rare presentation

of the Army Parachutist Badge, which was personally gifted to the consignor by Lieutenant General William P. Yarborough, whose original design of the insignia was approved by the Department of the Army in March of 1941. The wooden display, 9.5 x 11.5, contains three mounted badges for “Basic,” “Senior,” and “Master,” each hallmarked sterling silver; frame backing bears an affixed photo of Yarborough presenting the display to the consignor. In overall fine condition. Starting Bid $200

319. William P. Yarborough Autograph Letter Signed with Circa 1930 Bowie Knife. ALS signed “Bill Yarborough,”

five pages, 5.5 x 4.25, personal letterhead, December 29, 1994. Handwritten letter detailing “the Bowie Knife and its connection with the spirit of the Green Berets.” Included is a circa 1930 blacksmith-forged Bowie knife measuring an imposing 16˝ in length, which is accompanied by its leather sheath. In fine condition. Yarborough’s passion for a designated Special Forces knife led to the creation of the Yarborough knife, which was made by Chris Reeve Knives in collaboration with William Harsey Jr., and was awarded to all Special Forces Qualification Course graduates. Starting Bid $200

320. Medal of Honor Recipients (60+) Signed Book. Signed book:

Above and Beyond: A History of the Medal of Honor from the Civil War to Vietnam. First edition. Boston, MA: Boston Publishing Company, 1985. Hardcover with dust jacket, 9.5 x 11.25, 346 pages. Signed inside in ink and felt tip by over 60 recipients of the Medal of Honor; autographs can also be found on calling cards affixed adjacent to the title page. In fine condition, with creases, paper loss, and small edge tears to the dust jacket. Please visit our website for a list of signers. Starting Bid $200

321. William Westmoreland’s Cigarette Case Presented to Him By Thanom Kittikachorn. Attractive gold-tone

cigarette case presented to General William Westmoreland by Thai military dictator Thanom Kittikachorn. The case, 5.25 x 3.25, features elaborate Thai designs on the top and bottom and opens to reveal an engraved dedication to the underside of the lid, which reads: “To Gen. William C. Westmoreland, with the compliments of Field Marshal…(Thanom Kittikachorn) Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, January, 1968.” Includes Westmoreland’s personal calling card. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

ter Signed. Two items: a TLS, signed “W. C. Westmoreland,” one page, 7.25 x 10.5, February 20, 1995, on the Tet Offensive: “We, the military, knew the enemy was poised to strike but the American public was caught by surprise”; and a first edition of The Tet Offensive, hardcover with dust jacket, signed on the first free end page in blue felt tip, “W. C. Westmoreland,” and in black ballpoint by Admiral Thomas Hinman Moorer. In overall very good to fine condition, with noticeable wear to the dust jacket and some toning to signed book page. Starting Bid $200

323. William Westmoreland’s Signed U.S. Army Field Cap. From the personal collection of General William

Westmoreland—a U.S. Army (Hot Weather) olive drab field cap, size 7 ½, signed and inscribed on the brim in black felt tip, “To Rudi: W. C. Westmoreland.” The crown bears a U.S. Army Airborne Master Parachutist Paratrooper Jump Wings pin and a four-star general rank insignia pin. The inner brown band bears a laundering instructions label and a Propper International label marked: “Cap, Hot Weather, OG-507, DLA100-80-C-2539, 8415-01-072-8725.” In fine condition. Accompanied by an image of Westmoreland presenting the cap to the recipient. Starting Bid $200

United States Armed Forces insignia and ‘jungle clicker’ from the personal collection of General William Westmoreland. The six pieces of insignia, all sterling silver ‘jump wings,’ include four parachutist badges, a senior parachutist badge, and a master parachutist badge; the yellow clicker, or cricket, measures approximately 2˝ in length. In overall fine condition, with some expected wear. Starting Bid $200

325. William Westmoreland and Bob Hope (2) Signed Items. Two items

signed in felt tip by General William Westmoreland and legendary entertainer Bob Hope: a color 5.25 x 3.75 photo map of the various insignia issued during the Vietnam War; and a color 3 x 4 photo of the pass for Hope’s 1967 ‘Operation Holly’ U.S.O. tour in Southeast Asia. Both are matted and framed together to an overall size of 13 x 10. In overall fine condition. Starting Bid $200

Signed. ALS in Italian, signed “Andrea Doria,” one page, 8.5 x 12, April 30, 1547. Handwritten letter concerning a payment that was being brought by “Lorenzo.” The integral address leaf, also addressed by Doria, is to Ferdinand Gonzaga (1507-57) Italian Prince, Captain General, Viceroy of Sicily, and, at the time of this letter, the Governor of Milan. Gonzaga dockets the address leaf “From Doria, 30 April, 1547.” In very good to fine condition, with scattered light soiling, and heavy toning along the central horizontal fold. Starting Bid $300