World War I

7-1. German World War I Postcard Assortment, Small.

Varied baker’s dozen of German World War I postcards to and from soldiers, all postally used,  all different. Comprising 7 pictorial, including German patriotic, romantic, humorous, or  nostalgic themes. Some with color. • 6 with messages, most with Feldpost cancels. The  German Army numbered over 13 million, causing considerable consternation among its  neighbors. The “War to End All Wars,” reflected in these items, would only be a bloody  chapter in a book resuming some twenty years later. Usual postal wear, else good plus to very  good, and suitable for display as an ensemble, for teaching purposes, or with other items. $50-  70 (13 pcs.)

7-2. German World War I Postcard Assortment, Medium.

As above, but larger group of 14 pictorial and 25 message postcards. All different. Examined in  hindsight, it is not difficult to perceive the milieu that spawned and fostered Hitler. $140-180  (39 pcs.) 

7-3. Rickenbacker’s Rival - and Host to Lindbergh.

T.L.S. of (Maj.) A(rmand) Pinsard, one of World War I  France’s top-scoring aces, downing between 27 and 40  aircraft. He is credited with the very first victory by a  Spad S.VII, a stalwart plane of the Allies. His multiple  escapes - including tunneling through a 12-foot wall -  the inspiration for Jean Renoir’s epic 1937 film “La  Grande Illusion,” and Pinsard the template for the  movie’s main character Capt. Boeldieu. Commander of  Le Bourget Flying Field in France at time Lindbergh  landed. From Le Bourget, on letterhead “34(th)  Régiment d’Aviation - Groupe de Chasse,” July 9,  1927, 8¼ x 10¾. To Rev. Cornelius Greenway. In  French. “...Avec toute la sympathie de votre camarade  de la Grand guerre....” Especially prominent signature.  Pencil remarks by Greenway, as usual. Light  semicircular smudge in upper portion, light handling  evidence, else about fine. • With envelope, without postal markings, evidently enclosed in a  larger packet. Filmmaker Renoir wrote of his own wartime flights with a photographer:  “Flying up there in our outmoded airplane, my photographer and I were not too anxious to  meet the German fighters. When we were attacked, we had practically no hope of defending  ourselves, and we were too slow to run away. Each time I was pressed by the enemy, the same  French fighter plane came to my rescue. I could recognize it. Several times, after chasing away  the assailants and saving my life, it flew so close to me that I could notice the impressive  whiskers of the pilot. His name was Pinsard...He had himself been shot down, had been taken  prisoner several times and had escaped as often. It is the account of his escapes which I used  for the writing of ‘La Grande Illusion.’”--reddit.com. Pinsard’s victories evidently surpassed  Rickenbacker’s. He took to the skies again in World War II, naming his all-black personal  airplane “The Pirate.” Incredibly, though losing his leg in a German air raid, he was convicted  postwar of collaboration with the Nazis and imprisoned. A fascinating, complex study. Very  scarce. $225-300 (2 pcs.)

7-4. Riding on a Prayer - The Man who commanded Pershing’s Train.

Fascinating group of five items relating to Col. Earl L. Thornton, in charge of Gen. Pershing’s personal train from which much of World  War I was overseen, four of the items signed by Thornton. Mentioning the famous Locomobile limousines. Comprising: Typewritten  bio and introduction of Thornton at speaking engagement, signed and inscribed at top to noted advertising artist O. A(ndrew) Garson,  dated July 2, 1942, 2 pp., 5½ x 8½. • Typescript carbon copy of Thornton’s speech “75,000 Miles with Pershing,” also signed at top,  pencil notes at conclusion, 9 pp., 5½ x 8½. A fascinating - and highly absorbing - first-hand memoir by this descendant of Matthew  Thornton, Signer of the Declaration. “...In Jan. 1918, I was ordered to General H.Q...to organize the Commander-in-Chief Field  Headquarters Train...I was rather down-hearted because I had no experience with railroad trains, except as a passenger. I immediately  set to work...and when it was finished consisted of ten French cars, and a crew of 26...Car No. 2 was Gen. Pershing’s office car...Car No.  10 was a box car open at both ends converted into an automobile car for Gen. Pershing’s two Locomobile limousines...The colored  porters on all the cars formerly were with the Pullman Co. Gen. Pershing did all the inspecting of the troops, ports and supply depots by  train and most of our traveling was done at night. In the morning the automobiles would be unloaded...One of the bright features of the  train was the company of Warren Pershing, son of the Gen., and Rene de Chambrun...descendant of LaFayette and brother-in-law of  the late Nicholas Longworth...Both boys were full of spirit and seriously copied the manners of the old soldiers...Simply because it was  Gen. Pershing’s special train did not mean that it was free from attacks from the enemy...Dark curtains were put on the engine...During  the air raids we were unprotected...In Paris we were parked alongside of some gas tanks while an air raid was in progress. Fortunately  the bombs missed the tanks or a requisition would have been made out for one new traveling field headquarters...In organizing this  train nothing was outlined for me pertaining to my duties...I can truthfully admit I was scared when I was informed of my  assignment...In Aug. (1919)...we went to Italy with our complete train, arriving in Rome...The station was beautifully decorated with  American and Italian flags...As we were official guests of the Italian Government we could not enter the Vatican as Italy and the Vatican  were then technically at war...Perhaps you will be interested in the habits of Gen. Pershing, regarding his food...Before our departure  the French Government offered to give the U.S. Government our complete train for permanent exhibit in Washington but for some  reason was declined, much to my regret...It was like saying goodbye to a friend as I took a last look at the ten coaches and locomotive,  their roofs and sides dented by shrapnel and the dust of 75,000 miles....” • Page from American Legion Magazine on France’s award to  Thornton of the Legion of Honor, with photos of him and the decoration. Signed and inscribed at top. • Original candid snapshot of  Pershing, 3¾ x 6¼, striking an imposing figure, certainly taken by Thornton during the war. Unsigned. Also with: small printed photo  of Thornton, postwar, in uniform, signed. Affixed (glue now dried) by Garson to his file folder enclosing all items, with notation in his  hand, “...given to me by the Col. July 2, 1942.” Garson was a graphic designer in meatpacker Armour’s Art Dept.; his work appears in  various advertising art annuals. Typescripts with some handling wear, else very good; other items fine. The history of the twentieth  century may very well have been altered had harm come to Thornton’s train - and his passenger. $250-350 (5 pcs. in signed folder) 

7-5. A French James Bond.

T.L.S. of Capt. Charles E. Brousse, World War I French bomber-squadron commander, and key player in a World War II espionage  saga, feeding his OSS mistress “a steady stream of diplomatic cable traffic between Vichy France and the Washington Embassy”--  Sisterhood of Spies - Women of the OSS, Elizabeth P. McIntosh, Naval Institute Press. Written from the building - and in the period in  which his invaluable espionage for the Americans was carried out, including cracking of the safe to photograph the cypher books  within: On steel-engraved letterhead of French Ambassador to U.S., as press attaché, Washington, June 28, 1941, 8 x 10½. Signed in  green. To Rev. Greenway. In English. “I have been deeply moved by your request. Unfortunately, I have left in France all the pictures I  had in uniform ...I am extremely pleased to see that all the American comrades on the battlefields, like you, have not forgotten their  French friends....” Light postal handling, else fine. • With envelope. Letters of documented spies, in place- and date-context of their  espionage, are understandably very elusive. With text of chapter about Brousse, from New York Times book review. $170-220 

7-6. Flying the Fiery Skies.

T.L.S. of T. Dagnann, World War I French flyer, cited ten times; commander of Legion of Honor; awarded Special Medal of French  Aero Club for his war service. Laborde (France), Oct. 3, 1934, 8 x 11¾. To Rev. Greenway. In French. Concerning photograph for  Greenway’s “memorial,” and sending thanks for his sincere sentiments. Pencil remarks by Greenway, as usual. Light handling, uniform  toning, else fine and rare. $50-75 

7-7. George Patton’s Old Friend from World War I.

A.L.S. of World War I French Gen. Koechlin-Schwartz, Gen. George Patton’s tank instructor and old friend, his advice sought by Patton  in World War II. On pictorial letterhead of Friends of Saint-Hélène, Vannes, Frances, Aug. 25, 1932, 8¼ x 10¾. To Rev. Greenway. In  English. Concerning request for a signed photo for Greenway’s Allied Memorial Building. “...Being now at my country place, and having  here no photo at hand, I am obliged to ask you for some delay...I would never have thought of asking for the payment of any expense,  but...as the secretary of the Society, I cannot refuse. Allow me to send you a tract showing what we intend to do....” Light wear, else fine.  • With 8 pp. printed booklet on the Society’s plan to conserve the tomb of Napoleon, in French. • Envelope in Koechlin-Schwartz’s  hand, stamps removed (by Greenway), else good. In his memoir War As I Knew It, Patton described Koechlin-Schwartz as “my old  friend...In World War I he was one of the leading instructors at the Army General Staff School at Langres. We had a very pleasant  evening talking over old times and he said, among other things, that had he thought, much less taught, at Langres what I had been  doing, he would have been put in the madhouse. He also stated that when he heard an armored division was heading for Brest, he knew  I was in command...” Koechlin-Schwartz is also mentioned in Ladislas Farago’s book on which the movie “Patton” was based, and is a  member of the elite club of foreign officers given a U.S. military award. Fascinating linkage of three of military history’s titans,  Napoleon, Koechlin-Schwartz, and Patton. Modern copies accompany. $110-140 (3 pcs.) 

7-8. Army Life: “Rules are few & not enforced....”

Unusual post-World War I soldiers’ letter from Tucson, Ariz., evidently stopping at an Army recuperative center, with reference to Las  Vegas (probably N.M.). Dec. 29, 1918, 5 x 8, 4 full leaves, pencil on cream. To his girlfriend Marguerite Selleck, Perrysburg, N.Y.  “...What a shame I didn’t get you on the phone...Funny I didn’t see you in the morning. I was just leaving the house at 7:35 myself. I  have just finished my tray supper (cold chicken, fruit salad...pineapple tea...). This is a dandy bungaloe but not very warm as the stove  is small & they burn soft coal.” The writer then draws a reasonably competent floor plan of his two-man quarters, identifying screens,  table, chairs, bureau, stove, closet, bath, and “hot water.” “They use oil lamps but are putting in an electric light plant. Everybody is  very nice here & it can’t compare with J.N.A.H. [possibly a N.Y. hospital]. Rules are few & not enforced & don’t have to be because the  people come here to be cured & don’t cheat. I went to the Christ Endeavor meet & found about 40 there (half the whole place). As a  class they are of the clerk & bookkeeper type but very different from foreigners. Many are allowed to smoke & the cure hours are 10-11  and 1-3...The atmosphere is most pleasant...Will mail this from Las Vegas. If I can’t get a berth further I will have to stop off at  Albuquerque...Do you remember a week ago tonight? We were eating at the Owl Lunch Wagon at S.C. right about now. I won’t forget  that night...It’s cold & winds blowing a gale, but I love you....” Light handling, else fine. • With envelope, postmarked Tucson, Jan. 8,  1919. Intact purple 3¢ postage stamp. $65-85 (2 pcs.) 

7-9. Hope of World War I France.

T.L.S. of P(aul) Pau, celebrated French General recalled from retirement at age 66 when war broke out in 1914. Facing possibility of  defeat in under two months, his men were broken up and sent to fight in the “Miracle of the Marne.” On steel-engraved lettersheet as  Pres. of French Red Cross, red cross insignia. Paris, Oct. 22, 1930, 5¼ x 8½. To noted autograph collector (and World War I veteran)  Rev. Cornelius Greenway. In English. “...I am happy to let you know that I sent it (the photograph) in a little parcel...It will be for me a  precious thought to know you will place it in such a glorious neighborhood. Of course you will have nothing to pay for the photo...But I  will be much grateful for your good intention of making a donation to the French Red Cross. It will be greatly appreciated, coming from  a friend of France, who has been wounded at our side....” Two blocks of tan toning, probably from storage in proximity to a darker item,  else fine and attractive. $70-100

7-10. A Young Hitler in the Sea of Soldiers.

A.N.S. of World War I French full General de L’Espée, commander of 9th Cavalry Div. at first Battle of Ypres, one of the war’s main  clashes. The Battle’s nightmarish events - Germans singing songs of recognition in the mist, as casualties mounted to six figures - were  notable for another reason: one of the young soldiers there was Adolf Hitler. Froville (France), Aug. 20, (19)28, 5¼ x 8¼. In purple  ink, on grey stationery. In English. “I send you these two little war-photographs, with my thanks for your French remembrance.”  Greenway’s characteristic pencil identification beneath signature. Very fine. $55-75 

7-11. The “Lame Lion of Africa” – and Syria.

T.L.S. of (Gen. Henri) Gouraud, charismatic commander of French forces at Dardanelles, 1915, where he lost an arm; later a key figure  in the Middle East’s politically formative - and fateful - years, as High Commissioner in Syria and Lebanon. On letterhead, “Le Général  Gouraud... Gouverneur Militaire de Paris,” Hotel des Invalides, Aug. 20, 1929, 8¼ x 10½. To Greenway. In French, referring to his  visit to America, particularly Baltimore, Boston, and Cleveland, and a new church in Bois Belleau built through generosity of the  American 26th Infantry Div. Lengthy pencil remarks of Greenway in margin, “He is the famous French General known as the ‘Lame  Lion of Africa’...and had under him 2 Am(erican) Divisions....” In 1898, Gouraud’s capture of a resistance leader in French Sudan  “marked the end of the last large state opposing French colonialism in the West,” and made him a celebrated figure in France’s highest  political circles--Slavery and Colonial Rule in French West Africa, Klein, 1998. After World War I “he presided over the creation of the  French Mandates in Syria and Lebanon...Gouroud became the...effective head of the colonial government there”--wikipedia. Few  creases at right margin, uniform light toning, else about fine. Very scarce. $90-120 

Go to Section 8: World War II