CHESTER NIMITZ APPOINTS HIS PROXIES AT A NAVAL BOARD MEETING

CHESTER W. NIMITZ (1885-1966). Nimitz was Fleet Admiral of the United States Navy and a major Allied Naval Commander during World War Two.

TDS. 1pg. 5 ¼” x 3 ¼”. February 18, 1952. N.p. A typed document signed “C.W. Nimitz Fleet Admiral USN”. “I (will not) be able to attend the meeting of the Board, 23 February 1952. I designate, Col. J. W. Moreau, Lt. Col. Wm. P. McCahill, Lt. Cmdr. Alan Brown, or ___ as my proxy. Signed C.W. Nimitz Fleet Admiral USN”. Although Nimitz had retired in 1947, he retained the rank of Fleet Admiral for life. It is in fine condition.

CHESTER NIMITZ WRITES CONCERNING THE MARINE CORPS WAR MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

CHESTER W. NIMITZ (1885-1966). Nimitz was Fleet Admiral of the United States Navy and a major Allied Naval Commander during World War Two.

TLS. 1pg. September 27, 1950. Lake Success, New York. A typed letter signed “C. W. Nimitz” on United Nations letterhead, with a small autograph addition. Nimitz wrote concerning the Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation: “Dear Moreau: I thank you for your letter of September 25^th with its enclosures descriptive of the material and methods which the Marine Corps of the Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation is using in its initial efforts to obtain funds. I am in complete accord with this plan and wish that I could be of more assistance. It distresses me to realize that I have not even attended meetings of the Board of Directors. Best wishes Sincerely yours, C.W. Nimitz Fleet Admiral, U.S. Navy”. Although Nimitz had retired in 1947, he retained the rank of Fleet Admiral for life.  It is in very good condition with two file holes and a loss to the upper-left corner.

FLEET ADMIRAL CHESTER NIMITZ SIGNS AN ENORMOUS PHOTOGRAPH

CHESTER NIMITZ (1885-1966). Five-star Fleet Admiral Nimitz was a World War Two hero. He was the Commander in Chief of American and Allied fleets in the Pacific during the war, and he was Commander in Chief of Naval Operations after the war. Nimitz was an expert on submarines and was instrumental in the advent of the nuclear submarine.

PS. 15 ½ x 17”. 20 November 1960. No place.  An enormous color photograph signed “C.W. Nimitz, Fleet Admiral, USN”.  It was inscribed “To Joe and Clarisse Knowland with best wishes and great affection”.  The color portrait shows the old sailor with his hand on a sundial with trees in the background.  There is a slight curl to the lower left corner and the inscription and signature are a tad light, but the huge photograph is a stunning display item.

DURING WWI, ALTON PARKER WRITES A LENGTHY LETTER ABOUT THE LEAGUE TO ENFORE PEACE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTING FUTURE WARS

ALTON PARKER (1852-1926). Parker was an American judge and Presidential candidate.

TLS. 2pgs. December 9, 1915. N.p. A typed letter signed “Alton B. Parker”. On letterhead of the “League to Enforce Peace, American Branch”, Parker wrote to Rev. Philip Rhinelander (1869-1939), Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Philadelphia and member of the politically-important Rhinelander family, about the importance of promoting global peace. “My dear Rev. Rhinelander: Ex-President Taft of New Haven and Mr. John A. Stewart of New York, fellow officers of the League to Enforce Peace, have suggested to me that you might be willing to become a member of the League and to interest yourself in the organization which I understand is soon to be undertaken in Pennsylvania by an influential group of our charter members resident there. As chairman of the Committee on Home Organization, I have the honor to submit such an invitation, both in behalf of the gentlemen named and at my own desire, and earnestly to beg your acceptance and co-operation. I assume that you already know of the notable conference held last June in Philadelphia at which the League was organized, and have had your attention called to the platform put forward at that time. The enclosed folder bearing the cut of Independence Hall will give you the main facts regarding the organization and the brief by Dr. Lowell, chairman of our Executive Committee, will explain its proposals. The reception accorded to the program of the Conference, in other countries as well as in our own, has been such as to encourage the friends of the League to feel that it is likely to be influential in the reorganization that must take place at the close of the war. It is, of course, not proposed to make any effort to influence the course of the present conflict. The irremediable injury that would result to the whole world, in case a way should not be found to make war less threatening and to reduce its frequency, forms a conclusive argument in favor of making a concerted effort to do all that human ingenuity and devotion can to prevent the recurrence of a catastrophe such as the world is now experiencing. I venture to hope that the effort which has taken form in the League to Enforce Peace may meet with your approval and support. Very truly yours, Alton B. Parker Chairman”. The League to Enforce Peace was an American-based international organization that formed in the midst of World War One to promote world peace and prevent future wars. Former President William Howard Taft was its President, and Parker was Chairman of the Committee on Home Organization. Many prominent Americans had helped to organize the League in Philadelphia earlier in 1915. It would later work to promote the League of Nations. The League to Enforce Peace disbanded in 1923. The letter is in very good condition with a little bit of chipping and the rusty imprints of two paper clips on the first page.

GILBERT PARKER WRITES TO AN AMERICAN DURING THE LEAD-UP TO AMERICA’S ENTRY IN WORLD WAR I: “IT IS GOOD TO HEAR YOU SAY AGAIN HOW MUCH YOU WISH THAT YOUR COUNTRY COULD AID US MORE DIRECTLY IN THIS STRUGGLE.  SHE IS AIDING US ALREADY BY GIVING US SUCH SYMPATHY AS YOURS”

GILBERT PARKER (1862-1932).  Sir Gilbert Parker, a Canadian novelist and poet, served in Parliament.  He is best remembered for his novels set in Canada, such as The Seats of the Mighty, The Power and the Glory and When Valmond Came to Pontiac.

Two Gilbert Parker letters written shortly before the United States entered World War I:

TLS. 2pg. 8” x 10”. March 12, 1915. London.  A typed letter signed “Gilbert Parker” on “Carleton House Terrace” letterhead.  He wrote to Dr. Edward O. Otis: “I am well aware that American enterprise has made available reprints of the official papers relating to the present European war; but the original British prints of these publications may not be accessible to those persons of influence who would study them for a true history of the conflict.  I am venturing to send to you under another cover several of these official documents.  I am sure you will not consider this an impertinence, but will realize that Britishers are deeply anxious that their cause may be judged from authoritative evidence.  In common with the great majority of Americans, you have, no doubt, made up your mind as to what country should be held responsible for this tragedy, but these papers may be found useful for reference, and because they contain the incontrovertible facts, I feel that you will probably welcome them in this form.  My long and intimate association with the United States through my writings gives me confidence to approach you, and I trust you will not think me intrusive or misunderstand my motive.”  The letter has two mailing folds and is in very fine condition.

TLS. 1pg. 8” x 10”. March 8, 1916. London.  A typed letter signed “Gilbert Parker” on “Carleton House Terrace” letterhead.  He wrote to Dr. Edward O. Otis: “You will have heard already that I have been away several weeks in the South of France by doctor’s orders, in order to recoup my health.  I am glad to say that I am now back in London and able to take up my correspondence once more.  Let me thank you now for your letter of February 7^th, enclosing a clipping of Professor Royce’s article in the ‘Boston Herald.’  It is good to hear you say again how much you wish that your country could aid us more directly in this struggle.  She is aiding us already by giving us such sympathy as yours…”.  The letter has three mailing folds and is in very find condition.

A SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH OF GENERAL JOHN J. PERSHING ON HORSEBACK

JOHN J. PERSHING (1860-1948). Pershing was Commander of American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.

PS. N.d. N.p. A black-and-white photograph of John J. Pershing on horseback, signed “John J. Pershing”. He inscribed it to Lieutenant General R. Perry below the horse’s feet. The photograph is in very good condition, though the blue ink is slightly faded; it is mounted to a slightly larger board.