The History Buff, Inc.

U-Boat Collection WWII Collection of 6 signed black and white photographs by u-boat captains. Many signers indicated which u-boats they commanded. There is supporting documentation as to how each of these autographs were obtained. Most of the autographs were obtained in Germany as in-person signatures. Each photograph is priced individually or the entire collection could be purchase at a special price.

The Great Artiste. This is an 8 in x 11.5 in color photograph of plane signed by 8 crew members.This plane was scheduled to be the strike plane for the Nagasaki mission but that roll was reassigned to Bockscar at the last minute. In fact the media mistakenly reported that The Great Artiste was the plane that dropped the bomb for weeks after the mission was completed.The photograph is signed by 8 crew members including Fred Bock (of Bockscar fame) and Lawrenence Johnston the only man to see the detonation of all three atomic bombs: the autographs of Bock and Johnston are very scarce. Price:$795.00.

Vice Admiral Frederick Ashworth(1912-2005).This offering is one 8 in. x 10 in. B&W photograph of the buyer's choosing. One photo is an image of the second atomic bomb( "Fat Man"), one is Ashworth as a pilot and one is Ashworth in Navy uniform.All images shown above.All are signed by FrederickAshworth either giving his rank of Commander or as Vice Admiral and indicating his role as weaponeer, Bockscar, Nagasaki Aug 6, 1945. Price: Each photograph $139.50.

Bocks Car-5 individual B&W crew signed photographs in the plane.Bockscar Crew. Five individual signed B&W photographs of the crew of the Plane that flew the Nagasaki Mission. (August 9, 1945). Signed by"M/SGT John D. Kuharek Flight Engineer 'Bockscar' Aug 9, 1945" "Major Charles Sweeney A/C (Airplane Commander) 9,Aug., 1945" "Sgt. Ray Gallagher asst. Flt. Engineer, Great Artiste, Hiroshima, Aug 6, 1945, Bockscar Nagasaki,Aug. 9, 1945" , " Capt. CD Albury - Pilot Bockscar Nagasaki -8-9/1945" "Lt. Fred J. Olivi Co-Pilot Bockscar, Nagaasaki Mission Aug 1945."Overall, In fine condition.Price:$900.00

Atomic Bombers Crew Signatures. Enola Gay, Bockscar, and Great Artiste. A set of 25 Signatures of Crew Members from the Enola Gay, Bockscar, and Great Artiste, the "silver plate" B-29s of the 509th Composite Group, that flew the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb missions that ended World War II. Signers include: Paul Tibbets, Jacob Beser (the only man who flew on both strike planes), Charles Sweeney, Fred Bock, Fred Olivi, Tom Ferebee, and many more. Price:$2,800.

Book about the 509th Composite Bomb Group. Beautiful book signed on the title page by six of the leading figures in the dropping of the atomic bombs in cluding unusually detailed signature by Paul Tibbets commanding officer of the 509th. Price:$795

Book-509th Remembered. Written and signed by the authors Robert and Amelia Krauss this is a comprehensive, partially pictoral history of the 509th from its inception until the group departed Tinian after dropping the atomic bombs on Japan. It is among other things a definitive reference work for authentic autographs of members of this group of heroes. Price: $55.00

Bocks Car.The Plane that flew the Nagasaki Mission. Historic Printed Photograph Signed. A beautiful color photograph of the B-29 that carried out the mission on Nagasaki (August 9, 1945). An 8 in. by 10 in., oblong, color photo showing the nose of Bockscar. Signed by seven members of the crew c. early 1990s. The photograph of the plane was reproduced from the original slides taken on Tinian Island sometime in late August 1945, early September 1945, by the engineering officer of the 509th, Carl Garner. Overall, In fine condition. $795

Bocks Car photograph 8 in x 10 inches signed by 6 crew. . B&W photo of crew of plane that carried out Nagasaki mission August 9, 1945.Signed by 6 crew members including pilot and co-pilot. Price:$795.00.

Bockscar Crew Signed Individual Photographs. Five individual signed B&W photographs of the crew of the Plane that flew the Nagasaki Mission. (August 9, 1945). Signed by"M/SGT John D. Kuharek Flight Engineer 'Bockscar' Aug 9, 1945" "Major Charles Sweeney A/C (Airplane Commander) 9,Aug., 1945" "Sgt. Ray Gallagher asst. Flt. Engineer, Great Artiste, Hiroshima, Aug 6, 1945, Bockscar Nagasaki,Aug. 9, 1945" , " Capt. CD Albury - Pilot Bockscar Nagasaki -8-9/1945" "Lt. Fred J. Olivi Co-Pilot Bockscar, Nagaasaki Mission Aug 1945."Overall, In fine condition.Price: $900.00

Sitting Bull - Custer Grouping The famous General Custer was the Army commander at the Battle of Little Big Horn. Custer signature is in ink on a 3 x 5 slip of paper and is in good condition. Sitting Bull was a Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux holy man known for his steadfast opposition to the intrusion of the U.S. government into Sioux lands. Sitting Bull’s “vision” of the defeat of American troops prior to the Battle of Little Bighorn proved prescient, indeed, and it was largely through his leadership and inspiration that the Cheyenne and Sioux decisively overcame Custer’s 7th Cavalry. Signature is affixed to a 3.5x5 inches piece of paper. Paper is in good condition as is the signature. Signature is bold but probably signed in Sitting Bull's later years. Price: SOLD

Ira Clarence Eaker(1896 -1987) .Promoted to Brigadier General in January 1942, he was assigned to organize the VIII Bomber Command and to understudy the British system of bomber operations; then in December 1942, he assumed command of the Eighth Air Force in England. In this letter written in 1980 Eacker reviews the military history of the U.S from WW I until 1980. It is extremely rich in insight and worth reading. This letter is in perfect condition. It is on Ira Eaker's personal stationery and is dated April 2, 1980. It is nicely signed Ira Eaker. $850.00

General James Harold "Jimmy" Doolittle, This offering is two letters signed by J.H. Doolittle using a ball point pen Both lytters are on Mutual of Omaha stationery and both are in x in paper. In the August 4 letter1983 Doolittle state "The Tokyo Raid was just a job to be done and we did it the best we could." In the second letter he sstates that he was given top priority and that ws what helped get things done. Price: $695.00

 

Enola Gay and Bockscar.Historic Printed Photograph Signed. Only known photograph with both Enola Gay and Bockscar in same photograph. An 8 in. x 11.5 in. oblong, color photograph from the original slide taken on Tinian Island sometime in late August 1945, showing the nose of the Enola Gay. Signed by five crew members. Signed by the following member of the Enola Gay crew: "Tom Ferebee Bombardier, "Paul Tibbets" ,"Morris R. Jepson Weapon Test Officier Enola Gay Hiroshima 6 Aug. 1945","Dutch Van Kirk Navigator " ,"Richard A. Nelson Radio, Enola Gay Aug. 6 1945" " Only one of these men remain alive and only one is still in reasonable health. The "Bockscar" In In the left side of the photo in the far background and has been autographed by 6 of the 13 on board: "Captain Charles Sweeney Airplane Commander "Bocks Car"Nagasaki 9 August 1945", Frederick G. Ashworth, Commander US Navy, Weaponeer, "Bockscar", Nagasaki, August 9, 1945", "Charles Albury. Pilot-"Bockscar"Nagasaki Aug. 9, 1945",' Master Sgt. Kuharek, Bockscar, Nagasaki August 9, 1945", "Sgt Ray Gallagher, Asst Flight Engineer, Bockscar, Nagasaki August 9, 1945". "Fred Olivi, Co-Pilot Bockscar" . There are no survivors of the Bocks Car crew.Price:$1,995.00

 

 

 

Enola Gay Crew signed color photograph of the plane.he crew of the Enola Gay, the B-29 that carried out the mission on Hiroshima, August 6, 1945. Historic Printed Color Photograph Signed. An 8 in. by 10 in. oblong, color photograph from the original slide taken on Tinian Island sometime in late August 1945, showing the nose of the Enola Gay. Signed by five crewmembers. In fine condition. Unframed. $895.00

The Flying Tigers were an American volunteer group (AVG) who flew in China while they were conducting operations against the Japanese and Southeast Asia. This offering is a print of Dick Rossi and his plane, that was signed by Rossi and 12 fellow Flying Tigers, including: Tex Hill, Charles Mott, Chuck Holder and Ed Rector among others. The framing also contains a reproduction of the AVG Flying Tigers patch. Mostly signed in pencil. Price: $795.00

Fort Sumpter was a Union military installation in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. It was built to further fortify the east coast against possible attack as a result of the War of 1812. It was named after General Sumpter, a Revolutionary War hero. This item is a framing that contains an image of Fort Sumpter, replicas of military patches of the Union and Confederate armies, and eight signatures of important figures in the attack on the fort. Price:$3895.00

Adolf Hitler (1889 – 1945).Original Photos for framing with Hitler autograph.Hitler was Chancellor of Germany from 1933, and Führer (Leader) of Germany from 1934, until his death. He was leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP), better known as the Nazi Party.Hitler was responsible for the holocaust against Jews and he was all at the same time a political genius, a leader and , along with Joe Stalin, one of the greatest mass murderers in history.This offering consists of an original photograph of Hitler of the buyers choice. Theses are all original photographs taken from Hitler's redoubt know as "The Eagle's Nest.". The photograph will be accompanied by a authentic signature of Hitler suitable for framing with the photograph. Price for one original photograph with a signature. Price:Price on request

The USS Indianapolis. Ship's Photograph signed by 17 survivors. Although the USS Indianapolis is best known for the fact that when it was sunk it lead to the largest number of deaths for a single incident in the history of the US Navy.However,before that, it was one of the most distinguished ships to serve in the Pacific War having won 10 battle stars for its distinguished service record in many of the key battles.This offering is an 8 in x 10 in B&W photo of the USS Indianapolis that is signed by 17 of the survivors as shown. the photograph is in excellent condition.
Price:$375.00

Luftwaffe Aces signed Hitler Invitation Card.Invitation from "The Leader and Chancellor of the Deutchen Reichs." Signed by four aces:Walter Schuck, 206 victories.Wolfgang Spate, 99 VictoriesDiethlem von Eichel, 96 VictoriesErnst-Scheufele, 18 Victories.These aces accounted for 419 Victories.Price:$175.00

George Catlett Marshall (1880-1959) sined FDC. Marshall was an American military leader, Chief of Staff of the Army, Secretary of State, and the third Secretary of Defense. Once noted as the "organizer of victory" by Winston Churchill for his leadership of the Allied victory in World War II, Marshall served as the U.S. Army Chief of Staff during the war and as the chief military adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. As Secretary of State his name was given to the Marshall Plan, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953.This offering is a standard First Day Cover (Defense) signed by General George Marshall. Postmarked Washington D.C.,1940.Cover in excellent condition.Price:$495,00

Genearl Anthony McAuliffe. (1889-1975). Spectacular 20 in x 14 in signed sepia portrait of The General in military uniform. The portrait is signed Anthony McAuliffe, Maj. Gen, US Army. The portrait is in superb condition. Price: $1500.00

George McClellan (1826-1885). Union General, Commander of the Army of the Potomac. Known as "The Young Napoleon." Very Fine Signature and Inscription. Overall, very good. $495.

George Meade. (1815-1882). Union General, Commander at Gettysburg. Choice Bold Signature, as commander of the Army of the Potomac. Rare in this form. $950.

Col. Robert Morgan (1918-1999). His book The Man who Flew the Memphis Belle signed.Book Description: New York: Dutton, May 2001., 2001. First edition, first pritning (per publisher's requsite statement and number line upon copyright page) SIGNED AND INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR. [10], 389 pages. Hardcover; H 24.25cm x L 15.75cm. Dust jacket presented in a mylar Brodart protecotor. Black spine with vibrant copper stamped lettering, slate gray boards. A nearly pristine copy in unread condition with an intact dust jacket .The book is signed, "In memory of William Wyler, a good man! Robert Morgan. " William Wyler was the famous Hollywood producer who made the documentary Memphis Belle right after the war and his wife co-produced the 1990 film Memphis Belle.Price:$245.00

William Moultrie (1731-1803). American Revolutionary War Hero, Patriot, Major General, Governor of South Carolina. Very Rare War-Dated Autograph Document Signed, one page, large octavo (approximately 7.5 in. by 7 in.), on chain laid paper, dated July 15, 1778, being a military dispatch to the Governor of South Carolina and an American Revolutionary War leader, Rawlins Lowndes (1721-1800), to raise funds for troop support. Signed and endorsed by Lowndes and Captain Calvin Spencer (1753-1801), an American patriot who served under Moultrie and Francis Marion during the war. With antique engraving of Moultrie. Ideal for framing. $2,500.

[ George S. Patton, Jr.] Color Print by Michael Gnatek titled Patton in North Africa 1943 and signed by the artist Micheal Gnatek.This print now very difficult to find because of the popularity of images like this of General Patton.Price: $550.00

Eddie Rickenbacker:An Autobiography. Book Description: Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 1967. Hardcover; First Edition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: good and not price clipped. Some small tears near top of spine of jacket. Light shelf wear to DJ; SIGNED by Eddie Rickenbacker on front free endpaper, and dated 1967. The autobiography of the WWI flying ace, race car driver, automobile magnate, and businessman. B&W Photographs; 8vo; 458 pages.Very rare book signed.Price: $275.00

Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel (15 November 1891 – 14 October 1944), popularly known as the Desert Fox (Wüstenfuchs), was a German Field Marshal of World War II. He won the respect of both his own troops and the enemies he fought. This offering is an award document to a soldier in the Afrika Corps on an 8x10 paper. Signed or approved by Rommel. The document shows normals signs of aging but is in otherwise good condition. Price: $1200

Charles W. Sweeney (1919-2004). Major General Sweeney was a key member of the 509th Composite Bomb Group (the atomic bombers) and he is the only pilot to fly both combat missions in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Sweeney was the pilot of Bocks Car on the Nagasaki strike mission.This offering is a copy of his scarce signed book, War's End.Book Description: Avon Books, New York, 1997. Binding is Hard Cover. Book Condition: Nearly new. First Edition. Book written by the last General to command an atomic mission. This book describes the author's involvement in both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing runs, capturing the hopes and fears of that period at the end of World War II. Illustrated in black and white. Includes a personalized inscription and is signed by the author Charles W. Sweeney. Black boards with red spine, 290 pages, illustrated dust jacket. The book looks and feels nearly new. The jacket is not price clipped and is in nearly new condition. Price:$175.00

 

Philip Sheridan (1831-1888). Union General, Cavalry Commander, succeeded Sherman as Commander-in-Chief. Bold Signature, with rank. $595.

 

 

William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891). Legendary Union General and Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States. Autograph Letter Signed, 1867. In fine conditon. Price:$1,250.00

Commander James Stockdale and Sybil Stockdale.This listing is a 11 in. x 14 in. B&W lithograph by Ortega that is signed in pencil by both James and Sybil Stockdale.It also depicts an image of the plane Commander Stockdale was flying when he was shot down over Vietnam.Price:$275.00

Erich Topp(1914-2005). Successful German U-Boat commander WW II.This offering is a photoreproduction of a poster of Erich Topp (as shown), Topp has designated on the poster the # of the U-boats he commanded in WW II.Price:$225.00

 

Straight Flush.Straight Flush. This photo is signed by Ira Weathgerly Co-Pilot of Straight Flush, the B-29 weather plane that preceded the Enola Gay on its Hiroshima bombing mission. Straight Flush's mission was to determine weather conditions over Hiroshima. When the plane passed over Hiroshima it radioed the Enola Gay --"2/10's cloud cover-bomb primary." That transmission is written on the image of the plane above. That transmission quote is on the image shown here in Weatherly's hand.After Colonel Tibbets received this message he in turn radioed to the planes flying behind him and his crew in the Enola Gay. --"It's Hiroshima." That response is also on the image in Weatherly's hand.Price:$750.00

Wake Island Collection. This collection consists of the last American flag to be removed from Wake Island before it fell to the Japanese in December 1941. The flag was brought out on the last Pan Am clipper to depart the island on the first day it was attacked December 8,1941.Also in this collection is a patch that we created as a memorial to the 1st Marine Defense Battalion of Wake Island.Price: $17,500.00

Wavell, Sir Archibald(1883-1950). British Field Marshall who fought throught WW II in North Africa and Burma.This offer is an autograph letter concerning his anthology of poetry and included with that letter is a copy (1941) of his famous lectures on Generals and Generalship.Rommel carried a leather bound copy of these lectures throughout the war and Rommel's copy was presented to Mrs. Wavell by Mrs. Rommel after the war. Both the letter and the book are in excellent conditioin. Price: $1500.00.