SHEET OF IWO JIMA STAMPS SIGNED BY “FLAG RAISERS” AND THE MOST IMPORTANT ALLIED LEADERS OF WORLD WAR II
An incredible signed item a block of fifty Iwo Jima “flag raising” commemorative stamps signed by five individuals intimately involved with the two raisings of the flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima on February 23 1945. The stamps are additionally signed by five of the most important leaders of the war as well. The 3-cent Iwo Jima stamp was issued July 11 1945 incorporating the iconic photograph of the second flag raising taken by AP combat photographer Joe Rosenthal. The block of stamps is signed across the stamps themselves by: HAROLD G. SCHRIER (1916-1971) the Marine lieutenant who led the patrol that captured the heavily-defended summit of the mountain; JOHN H. BRADLEY (1923-1994) adding “Iwo Jima Flag Raiser (Survivor)” a Navy corpsman and member of the patrol that captured the summit he helped raise the first and second flags; IRA HAYES (1923-1955) adding “Cpl U.S.M.C.” a Pima Native American a second flag raiser who died from exposure due to alcoholism as a result of PTSD; RENE A. GAGNON (1925-1979) adding: “Cpl. U.S.M.C.” he carried the second flag to the summit; and JOSEPH ROSENTHAL (1911-2006) who shot the famous image of the second flag raising. The stamps are additionally signed by President HARRY TRUMAN (1884-1972) General DOUGLAS MACARTHUR (1880-1964) General OMAR N. BRADLEY (1893-1981) General GEORGE MARSHALL (1880-1959) signing twice and General CLIFTON B. CATES (1893-1970) who commanded the Marines on Iwo Jima. Fine condition and simply one of the best multi-signed World War II pieces we’ve ever seen. SOLD WITH: a wonderful and comparatively early signed 8 x 10 inch signed photo by JOSEPH ROSENTHAL his iconic image of the Mount Suribachi flag-raising inscribed: “U.S. Marines raising American Flag on Mt. Suribachi during World War II – February 23 1945 – Photo by Joe Rosenthal”. Fine condition. Two pieces which would display together perfectly.