Welcome to Snyder's Treasure Trove of Militaria!


US and Allied Military Documents and Military Maps


If you see an item you want, please note the ITEM NUMBER and NAME and use it in your email.

You can email us at snyderstr@aol.com with questions. Use the links below to jump to specific categories of items on this page.

All documents on this page (and on the entire website) marked with MOST SECRET, SECRET, CONFIDENTIAL or RESTRICTED classification markings have been declassified.


Please note: We have other document related items on separate pages.

Featured Items US Marine Corps Band Document
Maps US Military Tribunal War Crime Trials Documents
Admiral F. J. Bell WWII Documents Pearl Harbor First Person Account
US Military Medal Award Documents FDR Staff ORIGINAL Report of Army Pearl Harbor Board
Admiral Peary Arctic Exploration Lot US Army Civil War Telegraph Corps Document
Allied Military Documents Miscellaneous Documents
Allied Military Propaganda and Surrender Leaflets  

Featured Items


American Revolutionary War Officer Society of Cincinnatus Document


This is a very rare and historic American Revolution Officer John Clarke with President George Washington signature 14 x 21 Inch document

It is named to John Clarke, who originally enlisted as a Private in the Virginia Line.  It is noted in the Original Members and Other Officers Eligible to the Society of Cincinnati (published in 1938), on page 86.

The document measures 14 by 21 inches overall.  It has been been museum-quality conserved by being sealed in a ultraviolet light protected transparent envelope and injected with argon gas, then sealed to prevent oxidation and reduce further deterioration.  It has been floated in a frame mount behind UV protective glass.  The frame measures 22 by 28 inches.

Documents with George Washington signatures are EXTREMELY rare and very seldom encountered on a privately owned document.

Price on Request


American Revolutionary War George Washington Signed Discharge Document


This is a very rare and historic American Revolution discharge with President George Washington signature 7 x 12 Inch document

It is named and dated, however there is significant deterioration of the document that has degraded the readability of the document.  Portions of the name and date are readable and it should be possible to track down the original soldier's name with proper research tools and sources.

These are closer views of the top, middle, and bottom of the entire document.

The document measures 7 by 12 inches overall.  It has been museum-quality conserved by being sealed in a ultraviolet light protected transparent envelope and injected with argon gas, then sealed to prevent oxidation and reduce further deterioration.  It has been floated in a frame mount behind UV protective glass.  The frame measures 15 by 20 inches.

Documents with George Washington signatures are EXTREMELY rare and very seldom encountered on a privately owned document.

Price on Request


President Ulysses Simpson Grant Signed Pardon Framed Document Lot


This is a very scarce presidential pardon issued by President Grant in 1870.

This is a hand-signed by U.S. Grant document.  The document is shown in close-up here and the period engraving here.

The text of the document is as follows:

[script printed] I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to [handwritten script] a Warrant for the pardon of Peter Short [script printed] dated this day, and signed by me and for so doing this shall be his warrant. [signature] U. S. Grant [script printed] Washington, [handwritten script] March 26, 1870.

The frame measures 12-1/2 by 19-1/4 inches.  The pardon measures approximately 7-1/2 inches square, and the engraving about 5 by 7-1/2 inches.

The condition is near excellent throughout.

Offered at $4,999.99


American Revolutionary War Hero Henry Dearborn Document Lot


This is a very rare and historic American Revolution Officer Henry Dearborn handwritten 8 x 14 Inch January 31, 1804 dated document.

When fighting in the American Revolutionary War began, Henry Dearborn organized and led a local militia troop of 60 men to Boston where he fought at Battle of Bunker Hill as a captain in Colonel John Stark’s First New Hampshire Regiment. He then volunteered to serve under Benedict Arnold during the ill-fated American expedition to Quebec. In 1801, President Thomas Jefferson appointed him Secretary of War, a post he held for eight years until March 7, 1809. In 1812, when he was appointed senior major general in the United States Army in command of the northeast sector from the Niagara River to the New England coast.

This particular letter appointed Erastus Granger as Indian Agent to the Six Nations of Indians (comprising the Mohawks, Onondagas, Oneidas, Senecas, Cayugas and Tuscaroras) in New Amsterdam (later to be renamed Buffalo), New York. Henry Dearborn signed the document while he was Secretary of War serving Thomas Jefferson, who was executing an order originally given by George Washington:

"An Agent shall soon be appointed to reside in some place convenient to the Senekas and six Nations. He will represent the United States. Apply to him on all occasions."
-President George Washington, December 29, 1790, in his reply to Seneca Chief Ki-On-Awog-Ky (Known as "Cornplanter") shown at the lower right. The Chief of the Six Nations -- Ahyouwaighs -- is at the lower left.  Both are hand-colored lithographs by McKenney and printed by J. T. Brown, Philadelphia.  The document measures approximately 9-1/2 by 7-1/2 inches. There is a brief description of the content of the document and the McKenney artworks.  The frame measures 22-1/2 inches by 30-1/2 inches.

The lot is museum quality framed, with the Dearborn document encapsulated (removable) sealed with inert gas, and the glass is UV resistant to protect the contents.

Offered at $4,999.99


American Revolutionary War Officer West Point Document


This is a very rare and historic American Revolution Officer Samuel Cogswell handwritten 8 x 14 Inch 15 July 1780 dated document

He writes to his father Reverend James Cogswell about camp conditions, impressions of West Point, Fairfield and Norwalk Connecticut burned by the British, arrival of the French fleet at Newport Rhode Island, and much more

This is a nice, long letter with a lot of good wartime content. It would make a spectacular gift for a DAR or SAR descendant of Samuel Cogswell.  At the time the letter was written (1780), he was assigned to Lee's Continental Regiment about to transfer to the 16th Massachusetts Regiment.

Of historical significance, this letter was written on July 15, 1780, which was when General Benedict Arnold first conceived his plans to sell out West Point to the British:

On page one of this letter, Cogswell describes West Point fortifications and defensibility, and that (second paragraph, page two) "From West Point I traveled in company with Gen. Arnold to this place [his new post, Camp Preackness]" and the condition of the Army billeted there: "The most of the army I found destitute of tents and encamped in a wood with no other security from the inclemency of the weather."

General George Washington had agreed to let Arnold have command of West Point on June 29, 1780. Arnold's command included not only West Point but also the area from Fishskill to King's Ferry, the infantry and cavalry on the east side of the river down to British lines, and the forts at Stoney Point and Verplanck's Point. Some sources say Arnold probably did not leave Philadelphia for West Point until after July 21. This letter indicates otherwise.  In a July 15th letter, Arnold offered to surrender West Point for 20,000 pounds. Because of delays in communication, Arnold did not know that his offer to surrender West Point had been accepted until August 24, 1780.

These are images of all sides of the letter: Page 1 (also shown below) -- 2 -- 3 -- back -- close-up of the back.

Included is a hand written transcript of the letter and a brief biography.

The condition is near good as shown.

Offered at $1,499.99


Revolutionary War Hero Major Richard Sill Court Appointment Document


This is an outstanding document dated June Second Tuesday 1783 appointing one of the heroes of the American Revolution as a practicing lawyer in New London, Connecticut.

Richard Sill of Lyme, Connecticut was a graduate of Yale University and appears prominently in their Roll of Honor.  He was an officer during the revolution and some of his campaigns include the Siege of Boston in 1775-76.  He also served with Col. Parson's 10th Foot Regiment during the battle of Long Island, and the retreat to New York. He was appointed an officer, and transferred to Col. Chandler's 8th Regiment and served in Germantown and was at Valley Forge.He served throughout the rest of the war as Aid de Camp to Lord Sterling. He studied law with Aaron Burr and was acquainted with Alexander Hamilton.  A brief biographical extract from Yale and Her Honor-roll in the American Revolution, 1775-1783 is shown here.

The document is shown in close-up here.  Note the recommendation of Benjamin Huntington referenced.  Huntington was a very high profile hero of the war as well.

The signature of the New London magistrate is very difficult to read, it appears to be Wm. Sutton Watt, Clk. (that's very approximate).

Major Sill was a member of the Connecticut Cincinnati Society (Order of Cincinnatus).

The document measures 7-1/2 by 10 inches and has a red wax seal applied.  The frame is 11-1/2 by 14-1/2 inches.

Offered at $499.99


Maps


We also have a number of silk, tissue, and paper SOE and OSS escape and evasion and escape route maps available here.

Thumbnail (Click to Enlarge) Item Number
Item Name
Description, Size, Condition Price Status
USMD-02
WWII 1945 Atomic Bomb Third Strike Priority Target Map
This is an extremely scarce ORIGINAL 1945 Atomic Bomb Priority Third Strike Target area map.

This is the June 1945 edition made from the latest known data of the target area of Koriyama, in the Koriyama sector of Central Japan. Koriyama was designated list of Priority targets in a leaflet dropped on Japan on August 6th, indicating the Japanese people needed to evacuate the cities listed below. Note the names were not in any particular priority order (on the leaflet) to preclude any effective air defense by the Japanese:

· Nagano
· Takaoka
· Kurume
· Fukuyama
· Toyama
· Maizuru
· Otsu
· Nishinomiya
· Maebashi
· Suido
· Hachioji
· Koriyama

It is marked For Use by War and Navy Department Agencies Only. Not for Sale or Distribution. This classification was lifted after the end of the war.

This is a close-up of the key, showing the edition. The 6-45 publication date is in the other corner.

It measures 19-1/2 by 22-1/2 inches. The back is blank.

The condition is very good to near excellent condition, with some minor soiling present.

$249.99 Available
USMD-04
WWII 1948 Japanese POW Camps In Russia 1949 Geneva Convention Evidence Map
This is a UNIQUE One of a Kind 1948 Japanese Prisoner of War interment camp locations in the Soviet Union map.

This is completely hand rendered map in red and black India ink on silk protected in wax. There are hundreds of camps and locations indicated in Japanese. The only landmarks written in English are the Black Sea and Caspian Sea.

There is a typewritten key annotation indicating the map was compiled from Japanese sources, with the notation the Russians provided no information. This map was provided by the Welfare Minister of Japan, Mr. Saito for use (if needed) at the 1949 Geneva Convention.

This map would be a wealth of information to the historian or researcher compiling information regarding the location and disposition of Japanese POWs and MIAs.

This is a closer view of the left side of the map and one of the right side. The annotation detail is shown here. An extreme close-up showing the hand rendered details is here (note that this is a 400Kb photo, it'll take time over slower connections.)

It measures 19-1/2 by 44 inches. The back is blank. There are literally hundreds of camps, prisons, and detention facilities listed.

This map was part of an extensive collection of items from the estate of G. T. Hagen, a US legal representative to the Geneva Convention of 1949 and War Crimes Trials of Japanese War Criminals from 1945 to 1950.

The condition is very good condition, with some minor soiling and period annotations and markings present.

$999.99 Available

US Military Tribunal War Crimes Trials Documents


This section contains a number of original and true copies of many of the proceedings, rulings, memoranda, orders, and supporting documentation, including some signed first person accounts (translated into English) from Japanese War Criminals; accounts of the Sugamo Prison riot; Original mug shot photographs of Sugamo Prison war criminal inmates and trustees; a very detailed set of documents relating to a Japanese insurgent shooting incident known as the Shibuya Affair and similar documents.

These items were part of an extensive collection of items from the estate of George T. Hagen, a US legal representative to the Geneva Convention of 1949 and War Crimes Trials of Japanese War Criminals from 1945 to 1950.


Thumbnail (Click to Enlarge) Item Number
Item Name
Description, Size, Condition Price Status
USMD-10
WWII Shibuya Affair Shooting At Police Chief Incident Document Lot
This is a unique lot, comprising documents and first-hand eyewitness accounts and reports of the Shibuya Affair, which occurred on July 19, 1946 in Toyko City, Japan.

There are twelve pages of documents and signed affidavits, and 25 black and white photographs of weapons, location, bullet holes in vehicles, including a US Army Jeep windshield. All the documents and photographs in this lot are relating or referring to the Shibuya Affair alone.

This is a close-up of the extract describing the incident and a preliminary report.

The photos each measures approximately 4-1/2 by 5 inches. More than 90% are captioned and mounted. This is a view of some of the photos here and here.

The condition is near good to very good.

$799.99 Available
USMD-12
WWII Rules of Procedures in War Crimes Document Lot
This is a group lot, comprising hundreds of pages of original and true copies (period carbons, flimsies, etc) of materials relating to the legal aspects of the War Crimes trials in the Far East, with references to the procedures and modifications of the Nuremberg War Crimes trials incorporated. This is a very rare set of original source documents.

Documents included in this lot include:

  • Joint Chiefs Memoranda regarding appendices with recommendations from the Senate based on the 1949 Subcommittee Report of the Malmady Massacre (RESTRICTED) ~15 pages
  • Specific direction regarding the distinctions between Crimes Against Humanity and lesser degrees of atrocities. ~20 pages (8-1/2 by 14 inches)
  • Notes Re: 1949 Geneva Convention (heavily annotated and edited) ~ 31 pages (8-1/2 by 14 inches)
  • Extract of Ilse Koch War Crimes trial based on Senate Resolution 189, etc.~ 4 pages (8-1/2 by 14 inches)
  • Outlines, Checklists, and Rule of Procedure memoranda, misc documents (RESTRICTED) ~ 15 pages (8-1/2 by 14 inches)
  • Charter of the International Military Tribunal and London Agreement Appendix ~ 11 pages (8-1/2 by 14 inches) (2 copies)
  • Memoranda on Reporting War Crimes ~ 20 pages (8-1/2 by 14 inches)
  • Rules, Regs, and related documents ~ 100 pages (8-1/2 by 14 inches)

This is an extensive collection of documents. Most appear intact and complete. There are a few missing (or misfiled) pages.

Here are views of the documents: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

The condition is near very good overall.

$2,499.99 Available
USMD-13
Japanese War Crimes Against the Chinese 1947-1950 Document Lot
This is a group lot, comprising several hundreds of pages of original and true copies (period carbons, flimsies, etc) of materials relating to the legal aspects of the War Crimes trials in the Far East. There are original signed eyewitness and war criminal documents, in kanji and translations. This is a very rare set of original source documents.

There are EXTENSIVE hand written annotations, corrections, additions, deletions, edits, and similar markings throughout.

Documents included in this lot include:

  • Roster of the 260 Japanese War Criminals (9 Acquitted, 251 convicted) and dispositions (incarcerated in Sugamo from 1 year to Life) ~16 pages
  • Roster of the ~50 non-Japanese War Criminals (Korean, Okinawan, Formosan, Chinese, etc.) and dispositions.
  • Petitions and Requests for Parole from various sources ~50 pages
  • Roster of 31 Japanese War Criminals executed by the Chinese.
  • Numerous first person documents (many signed) and translations ~75 pages
  • Fukuda Case #74 regarding the trials of Japanese War Criminals: Fukuda (Death), Shimitzu (Death), Ise (Death), Kono (Life), Motoi (Acquitted), Shibata (Acquitted), Miura (20 Years), Goto (20 Years). (RESTRICTED) ~110 pages
  • Nakagawa, et al Case #356 More trials, various dispositions (RESTRICTED) ~20 pages)

This is an extensive collection of documents. Most appear intact and complete. There are a few missing (or misfiled) pages.

Here are views of the documents: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

The condition is near very good overall.

$3,499.99 Available
USMD-14
Japanese War Crimes Notes Regarding the murder of 62 US aviators at Shibuya Prison fire Document Lot
This is a group lot, comprising 25 pages of original and true copies (period carbons, flimsies, etc) of materials relating to the War Crimes trials in the Far East of Fukuda and the Shibuya Military Prison fire and deaths of 62 US aviators of 25-26 May 1945. This is a very rare set of original source documents.

Documents included in this lot include:

  • Extract of Case #74 US vs. Kingoro Fukuda 28 Nov 47- 1 Mar 48. Sentenced to Death by Hanging.
  • Disposition of trials against Tashiro (Death), Koshikawa (Death), Kambe (Death), Okubo (Death), Kimimoto (Death) and Kukuchi (Acquitted).
  • 8 by 10 inch photo of Shibuya Prison

Here is a view of some of the documents.

The condition is near very good overall.

$999.99 Available
USMD-101
German War Crimes Trials Preliminary POW Record Document Lot
This is a group lot, comprising 30 pages of original and true copies (period photographic copies) of the PRELIMINARY Prisoner of War Record including fingerprints, signature, NOK, rank and assignment, occupation, location of capture, and similar biographical data. This is a very rare set of original Nuremberg War Crimes Trial 1945 period source documents printed on a Haloid Rectigraph (or similar) photocopier.

Each page measures approximately 8 by 9 inches.  There are rough edges at the top and bottom from when they were detached from the roll.  There are ample margins for framing.

Some representative images are linked in the list below.

Documents included in this lot include (in alphabetical order):

  •  von Broetticher, Friedrich (General)

  •  Borchers, Dr. Hans (Colonel General)

  •  Buch, Walter (Reichsleiter)

  •  Buechs, Herbert (Major)

  •  Buerkner, Leopold (Vice Admiral)

  •  Dethleffsen, Erich (Major General)

  •  Frank, Hans (Reichsminister)

  •  von Freyland, John Ernst (Lieutenant Colonel)

  •  Frick, Wilhelm (Reichsminister)

  •  Funk, Walter (President of Reichsbank)

  •  Goering, Hermann (Reichsmarschall)

  •  Kerencsi, Miklos (Civilian house servant)

  •  Kritzinger, Friedrich Wilhelm (State Secretary)

  •  Kropp, Robert (Civilian, Goering's valet)

  •  Luedde-Neurath, Walter (Korvetten-Kapitaen)

  •  Meissner, Otto (State Minister)

  •  Nagel, Jakob (State Secretary, Postal)

  •  von Papen, Franz (Ambassador)

  •  Riecke, Hans Joachim (State Secretary, Agriculture)

  •  Rosenberg, Alfred (Reichsminister)

  •  Salman, Otto (Korvetten-Kapitaen)

  •  Scherleitner, Karl (Orderly to Grand Admiral Doenitz)

  •  Schwerinvon, Graf Lutz (Reichsminister)

  •  Seldte, Franz (Reichsminister, Labor)

  •  Steengracht, Baron Gustav Adoph (State Secretary)

  •  Stroelin, Dr. Karl (Oberburgermeister of Stuttgart)

  •  Wagner, Gerhard (Admiral)

  •  Wegener, Paul (State Secretary Doenitz Cabinet)

  •  Wirges, Heinrich (Military auto mechanic)

  •  Zschintzsch, Werner (State Secretary)

The condition is very good to near excellent overall.  Some pieces have creases at the corners or edges that do not detract significantly. The Goering card is the one in the worst condition, with some minor damage at the bottom, visible in the image. The other pieces shown are representative of the remainder of the lot.

$2,499.99 Available

Rear Admiral Frederick Jackson Bell Wartime Documents


This section contains a number of original and true copies of many of the memoranda, orders, logs, manuals, and supporting documentation, including some signed first person accounts from the estate of Rear Admiral Frederick Jackson Bell (USNA Class of '24). His 1944 book Condition Red: Destroyer in the South Pacific" detailed the exploits of the destroyer USS GRAYSON (DD-435), which he commanded during the Marine Corps invasion landings at Guadalcanal. It was critically acclaimed, his sense of honor and duty to country conveyed with style, grace, and humor.

The highlights of these lots include the Dispatch logs covering the period 24 August to 14 October 1942. There is an EXTENSIVE amount of traffic for 24-27 August 1942. It was for these actions Admiral Bell (then Commander Bell) was awarded the Navy Cross while Captain of the GRAYSON. Also included are the Dispatch logs for traffic between GRAYSON and  and USS VIREO (AM-52) the USS MEREDITH (DD-434)rescue at sea of 75 surviving crew members. A first hand account of the MEREDITH actions and rescue is here.

Items are described and priced separately.


Thumbnail (Click to Enlarge) Item Number
Item Name
Description, Size, Condition Price Status
USMD-34
WWII Bell USNA Document Lot
This is scarce set of documents named to Admiral Bell when he was a midshipman at the US Naval Academy..

The documents are mounted on an album page.  The appointment (shown at the left) is on one side, and a signed letter of lost addressed to the Executive Officer of the Second Battalion and a stamped copy of Regimental Order 20 on the reverse side.

The appointment document measures approximately 9-1/2 by 15 inches.  It is quill pen signed by the Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels and Midshipman Fred Jackson Bell. The letter of loss measures 8 by 10-1/2 inches and the Order measures 5 by 8 inches.

The condition is near excellent.

$499.99 Available
USMD-35
WWII Bell Presidential Commission Document
This is scarce document named to Admiral Bell when he was commissioned as an Ensign following his graduation from the US Naval Academy..

The document has a calligraphy name of President Calvin Coolidge at the top, and a signature block with the Secretary of the Navy, Curtis D. Wilbur (also a USNA graduate). The appointment document measures 15 by 19 inches.

The condition is near excellent.

$499.99 Available
USMD-20
WWII Guadalcanal Invasion Bell Navy Cross Time Period Document Lot
This is unique lot, comprising documents named to the USS GRAYSON which occurred from 24 August 1942 to 14 October 1942 in the South Pacific in and around the vicinity of Guadalcanal.

There are approximately 100-150 dispatches from various commands to their fleet, task forces, and ships. Details such as enemy aircraft, enemy submarine and surface ship activity, and other operational communications are detailed.

The document measures approximately 6-1/2 by 8-1/2 inches, and about 3/4 inches thick. Some pages have notations made by Commander Bell, and others handling the documents at the time. This is a view of some of the detail: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

The condition is near good to very good.

$999.99 Available
USMD-21
WWII Guadalcanal Invasion Bell MEREDITH Rescue Time Period Document Lot
This is unique lot, comprising documents named to the USS GRAYSON which occurred from 15 October to 14 February 1942 in the South Pacific before and after the rescue of the crewmembers of VIREO and MEREDITH.

There are approximately 150-200 dispatches in one log, and 300-400 in the other, from various commands to their fleet, task forces, and ships. Details such as enemy aircraft, enemy submarine and surface ship activity, and other operational communications are detailed.

The documents measure approximately 7 by 9 inches, and about 1-1/2 inches thick for both logs. Some pages have notations made by Commander Bell, and others handling the documents at the time. This is a view of some of the detail: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

The condition is near good to very good.

$999.99 Available
USMD-22
WWII Guadalcanal Invasion Bell MEDEDITH Rescue Logs Document Lot
This is unique lot, comprising documents named to the USS GRAYSON which occurred from 18 October to 27 October 1942 in the South Pacific during the rescue of the crewmembers of VIREO and MEREDITH.

There are approximately 150-200 dispatches and communications between the Commander of the VIREO and the GRAYSON (some quite humorous, considering the grim circumstances). Details such as survivor and casualty lists, SECRET dispatches and mailgrams, and similar related documents. This is the cover of the folder, with the title.

The documents measure approximately 7 by 9 inches, some are 8-1/2 by 11 and about 3/4 inches thick overall. Some pages have notations made by Commander Bell, and others handling the documents at the time. This is a view of some of the detail: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

The condition is near good to very good.

$999.99 Available
USMD-23
WWII Transfer of Command of USS GRAYSON Document
This is hand signed flimsy of the transfer of command of the USS GRAYSON (DD-435) from Commander Bell to LTC H. O. Hansen, effective 22 April 1943.

This was to be Admiral Bell's last at-sea command of a ship. He was bumped up to a series of higher level commands and directorates, and promoted to Captain in 1944.

The document measures approximately 8-1/2 by 11 inches and was classified CONFIDENTIAL. It was signed in blue quill pen by both Commander Bell and LTC Hansen.

The condition is near good with some edge wear and tear from being filed.

$199.99 Available
USMD-24
WWII US Navy Pacific Fleet Destroyer Officer Roster December 1942 Document
This is Roster of Officers of the Destroyers in The Pacific Fleet effective 01 December 1942.

This document was classified CONFIDENTIAL. It shows Commander Bell in the ship detail section (bottom of the page), and in the alphabetical list of officers (top of the right column).

This is an extensive and detailed list, showing each officer and billet on each destroyer in the fleet at the time the document was printed. It would be an invaluable resource for the historian of the Guadalcanal invasion timeframe.

It has 41 pages of content and measures 8-1/4 by 13 inches.

The condition is near good with some edge and cover wear and tear from being filed.

$124.99 Available

Vice Admiral Niblack ORIGINAL Photograph and Appointment Lot


Thumbnail (Click to Enlarge) Item Number
Item Name
Description, Size, Condition Price Status

USMD-33
Vice Admiral Niblack ORIGINAL Photograph and Document Lot
This is a unique lot, comprising a President Woodrow Wilson SIGNED Appointment and a LARGE portrait photographs.

The large studio portrait photograph measures 18 by 22 inches.  There is edge wear and some wrinkling and a tear in the right margin not affecting content.

There are several large format 11 by 14 inch photographs of the Admiral Niblack Memorial Trophy for Excellence in Communications in the Cruiser Class in glossy and matte.  The matte photo has a list on the first ten ships to earn the award (1929-1940).

The 11x14 photo of his medals and awards including foreign decorations incidental to WWI has a complete listing identifying each.

There is also a photograph of his widow, with the Champagne bottle at the christening of the USS NIBLACK (DD-424) which was laid down 8 August 1938 by the Bath Iron Works Corp. Bath, Maine; launched 18 May 1940; sponsored by Mrs. Albert P. Niblack, widow of Vice Admiral Niblack; and commissioned 1 August 1940, Lieutenant Commander E. R. Durgin in command.

The centerpiece of this lot is the Appointment to Vice Admiral and assignment as Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters dated 31 December 1920.  This spectacular document has a quill pen signature of President Woodrow Wilson and is endorsed with a heavy quill pen signature of the Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels.  It measures 15 by 19 inches.

The condition is near excellent for all pieces, with the sole exception of the slight damage in the portrait photograph, as shown at the left.

$999.99 Available

Admiral Robert Peary ORIGINAL Photograph Lot


Thumbnail (Click to Enlarge) Item Number
Item Name
Description, Size, Condition Price Status
USMD-26
1st Successful North Pole Admiral Robert E. Peary ORIGINAL Photograph and Document Lot
This is a unique lot, comprising 10 ORIGINAL and probably unpublished snapshot photographs.

There are 10 snapshot photographs of various members of the expedition and some location scenes, as shown.

Included is a map of the arctic, with the Peary Route marked in red pencil, a lithograph of nine famed Arctic explorers, including Peary. And two period newspaper clippings, one a brief biography of Admiral Peary, the other a drawing of his wife when she accompanied him on one of his earlier exploration attempts.

The condition is near excellent. The photographs and supporting documents are mounted on a heavy sheet, as shown. The overall measurement is 22 by 15 inches. The ten period photos are mostly 3-1/2 by 4-1/4 inches. There is some fading from age.

$1,999.99 Available

ORIGINAL FDR Staff Annotated Copy of the Report of Army Pearl Harbor Board


Thumbnail (Click to Enlarge) Item Number
Item Name
Description, Size, Condition Price Status
USMD-28
WWII FDR Staff Copy of the ORIGINAL Report of Army Pearl Harbor Board Document Lot
This is a unique lot, comprising the original document and first-hand FDR Presidential Staff notations.  The CONFIDENTIAL declassification notice by Presidential Secretary Charles D. Ross, effective August 29, 1945 is also included. This report was originally classified TOP SECRET.

There are 304 pages of content.  The entire document has been transcribed electronically by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is viewable here.

This is the table of contents. Some of the detail is here and here.  Note the marginal annotations.  Of topical interest, note the wire tapping of the Japanese Consul's cook's phone prior to the attack.

The condition is near excellent. There is some minor edge wear and yellowing from age, however, the document is readable with reasonable care in handling.  The original cover is absent, however, all content from the title page to recommendations (page 304) is intact and present.

$699.99 Available

Medal Award Documents


Thumbnail (Click to Enlarge) Item Number
Item Name
Description, Size, Condition Price Status

USMD-36
WWII China Document Lot
This is a multiple document lot named to Robert D. Urbanowicz, which includes the original Chinese presentation document, envelope, and original translation, serial numbered 235 for the award of Special Breast Order of Yun Hui (Order of the Cloud and Banner), which was China's highest decoration bestowed on foreigners for exceptional bravery by the President of the Republic of China, Chiang Chung Cheng (also known in the West as Chiang Kai-shek).

Additional documents are an original 1944 Certificate of Merit Number 210, dated June 1944, Chungking, presented via the USATC stationed in India.  It is complete with the President's chop and serial numbered, as shown at the left.

There is also the routing paperwork forwarding the award from China via the US Army, to include two documents from Major General Edward F. Witsell (one is signed by direction, the other is the Witsell's signature).

Additionally, there is a 1978 US Army records center document citing the receipt of the Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star Medal.

There is also a Certificate of Meritorious Service to the Chinese Combat Command signed by Major General Robert B. McClure.  This document has some damage and tape repairs to the back, as shown.

Urbanowicz was assigned as a special agent in the OSS. This very high order was RARELY presented to enlisted men, except in extremely trying circumstances involving personal bravery in combat actions.

The condition is near very good with some fading from age. Three of the documents (the US transmittal documents and the English translation of the Breast Order) are sealed in plastic.  The rest of the documents are near excellent with some creases from folds when they were originally mailed in 1946, except as noted above.

$1,499.99 Available

USMD-27
WWII Purple Heart Medal to KIA Soldier Document Lot
This is a two document lot, comprising the 1944 wartime dated and issued Purple Heart for a 29th Infantry Division soldier Killed In Action.

This document has the quill pen signed signature of the Adjutant General and printed signature of Secretary of War Henry L. Stinson.

The other document is an early church school document, also named to William Dude of Baltimore Maryland.

The condition is near very good with some fading from age. A small corner is torn from the church document.

$199.99 Available

Allied Military Documents


Thumbnail (Click to Enlarge) Item Number
Item Name
Description, Size, Condition Price Status
AMMD-101
WWI English CLASSIFIED German Zeppelin Attack Map Document
An Original and Authentic 14 x 24 Inch One Sided WWI German Zeppelin Airship Raid 2 and 3 September 1916 Route Map and Monetary Damage and Causalities.

This is a RARE period Military Intelligence map. It was initially classified CONFIDENTIAL and declassified after the war.  The document is signed by the Military Intelligence officer, Lieutenant Raymond Dukes.  It has a period notation that the Schütte-Lanz airship S-L 11 was lost on the 3rd of September, 1916.

This map covers the raid of the 2-3 September 1916, which involved 463 bombs being dropped, killing 4 and wounding 12, with monetary damage of 21,072 Pounds.

This is a view of coastal attack detail, and London attack detail.

This is a historic map and of interest to any serious military airship historian or collector.

It is in near excellent condition with some wear as shown.

$299.99 Available

Other Miscellaneous Documents


Thumbnail (Click to Enlarge) Item Number
Item Name
Description, Size, Condition Price Status
USMD-36
US Civil War Service Document
This is an unusual early Civil War era document (undated) describing the early to mid-19th century service of several US Navy officers.

This document was drafted during the course of a medical investigation.  Officers included in this document include Captain Ellison, aboard the PORPOISE at Pensacola in 1831 and the COLUMBUS at Boston in 1842; Commander Lanier on board the SARATOGA off the coast of Mexico in 1847 and the ROANOKE off the coast of Nicaragua in 1858 and the ALABAMA in the South Atlantic in 1862; Commander Baldwin on board the GERMANTOWN at Boston in 1853 and the LANCASTER in the Pacific in 1860 and the WYANDOTTE at Pensacola in 1861; Commander French on board the PREBLE in 1862; and Lieutenant Hawley on board the MARION off that coast of Africa in 1858 and the SANTIAGO off Key West in 1862.

This document is not signed.

It measures 12-1/2 by 7-3/4 inches.  There is some minor yellowing and fading of the black quill pen ink from age.

$199.99 Available
USMD-36
US Citizenship Document
This is an unusual Indian Wars era document (dated 1884) citizenship document issued in Pennsylvania.

This document confers US citizenship to an Irish immigrant named James Thompson in 1884. It has the usual seal (Philadelphia) and signatures on nicely engraved and watermarked paper.

It measures 14-3/4 by 10-1/4 inches.  There is some minor yellowing and fading of the black quill pen ink from age, and some creases from when it was folded for mailing.

$149.99 Available
USMD-37
US Secret Service U. E. Baughman Signed Document
This is an unusual post WWII era document dated December 14, 1949 regarding the retirement of a White House Police force member after 29 years of service.

This document is typed on US Secret Service Treasury Department letterhead.  This is WWII era letterhead, note the War Bond imprint at the upper right corner.

This letter has a very early U. E. Baughman signature. He served as the head of the US Secret Service from 1948 through 1961.

This document is signed in black quill pen.

It measures 10-5/8 by 8 inches.  There is some minor edge wear from age.

$199.99 Available
USMD-35
Nebraska WWI KIA Gold Star Document
This is a very scarce State of Nebraska soldier Killed In Action document.

This document is named to Joseph I. Lisenbee, reported as KIA on 16 November 1918 (the date reported was not the date of his death, not uncommon as casualty reports from France lagged from communications).  His name is on the list of the 349 reported as KIA during WWI.  He was from Omaha, Douglas County and he was buried in Europe.

This document was signed by Governor Samuel R. McKelvie, the Secretary of State, and the Adjutant General.

It measures 12-1/4 by 16-1/4 inches.  There are some stains from age and a tear at the left margin that reaches into the gold embossed metal seal.

$299.99 Available

USMD-32
Pearl Harbor Attack and Memorial With Booklet 30th Anniversary Document Lot
This is a related set of 30 color slides and a booklet that documents the events of Pearl Harbor attack (15 slides) and the memorials at Pearl Harbor (15 slides).

This document was assembled for the 30th Anniversary of the attack in 1971.  The cover and detail of the booklet is shown here and here.  The set was prepared from original Official US Navy photographs by the Peal Harbor Film Service in Honolulu, Hawaii for the occasion.

All slides are labeled with content on one side of the durable numbered film frames.

The slides are unopened and unused in the original plastic sleeves.  The condition of all pieces is near mint.  The colors are still vibrant.

$99.99 Available