Military Notables
various, ca. 1948-1983
Military Aviators (4) Signed FDC & Limited Edition Covers ft. British & Amer. Pilots
Archive

A collection of 4 signed covers, including one first-day and three limited edition covers flown by the British Royal Air Force, ranging in date between 1948 and 1983. Totaling six signatures in all, including such names as Jimmy Doolittle (1896-1993), Desmond Doss (1919-2006), and Paul Tibbets (1915-2007). Each cover produced by the RAF bears numerous philatelic cachets, accompanied within by souvenir photographs and biographical cards. Exhibits varying degrees of light toning, surface creasing, and minor edge wear throughout. A very good collection overall. Please see below and accompanying images for further information on content.

The lot includes, in order of issue:

1.) Lt. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault signed first-day cover, Eatonton, Georgia, dated December 9, 1948. Signed with rank at middle as: "C. L. Chennault/ Maj. Gen. U.S.A.F./ Ret'd." Commemorating the 100th birthday of author Joel Chandler Harris. 3.75" x 6.5".

2.) Arthur T. "Bomber" Harris signed RAF flown cover, Jersey, dated November 19, 1981. Signed at lower right as "Arthur T. Harris/ MRAF". Accompanied by a certificate from Squadron 201 of the Royal Air Force, stating that the cover has been flown on November 10, 1981 for a total of 2 hours and 10 minutes. Numbered on verso 379 of 1500 and certified by D. B. G. Downey. Featuring an illustration of a Sopwith Tabloid aircraft piloted by Lt. Reginald L. G. Marix during World War I. 4.5" x 7.5".

3.) Enola Gay pilot Paul Tibbets signed RAF flown cover, Jersey, dated March 22, 1982. Signed at lower right as "Paul. W. Tibbets". Identified on front as having been flown for 45 minutes from Charlotte to Greensboro, North Carolina, featuring a commemorative illustration depicting a Boeing B-29 Superfortress. Numbered on verso 751 of 1477, certified by Captain D. J. Fulluck of the Bomber Command Museum. 4.5" x 7.5".

4.) Twice flown RAF cover signed by three Medal of Honor recipients, ca. 1983-84. Signed at middle right by combat medic Desmond Doss as "Desmond T. Doss, C.M.H.", U.S. Airforce pilot James H. Doolittle as "J.H. Doolittle", and fighter ace Kenneth Walsh as "Kenneth A. Walsh, C.M.H., USMC". Numbered on verso 1103 of 1470 and certified below by D. B. G. Downey. Twice flown, with the first occasion being on September 16, 1983 and the second on Christmas Eve, for a total of 12+ hours in flight. 4.5" x 7.5".

This lot comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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4.5" x 7.5" (largest)