447

AN EXCELLENT PRESIDENT TEDDY ROOSEVELT & WOODROW WILSON MULTIPLE AUTOGRAPH LOT; consisting of the appointment documents of West Point graduate Colonel David Henry Bower (1877-1932) together with other related documents. Lot includes two (2) beautiful 20 ½” x 15 ½” printed and filled in parchment documents with seal appointing Bower to 2^nd Lieutenant (1902), and 1^st Lieutenant (1907), both boldly signed by President Theodore Roosevelt and the Secretary of War also another similar document appointing Bower to Captain (1916) and signed by President Woodrow Wilson and the Secretary of War. Lot further includes a 16” x 21” printed paper document also appointing Bower to 1^st Lt.(1907) and boldly signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, together with a 1903 dated fitness examination report and a 18” x 24” beautifully printed and filled in Masonic membership appointment.  All documents in excellent UNFOLDED condition and appear never to have been displayed. LOT INCLUDES 3 SEPARATE T ROOSEVELT SIGNED DOCUMENTS AND 1 WILSON SIGNED DOCUMENT. Bowers interesting 30-year military career is outlined in a 4-page biography, which accompanies the lot. Bower served in Cuba, Alaska, Hawaii, Texas and New Mexico during the Mexican border dispute. Most interesting however is Bowers involvement in early military aviation. He was commander of Camp John Wise, San Antonio Texas overseeing the largest number of Balloon Officers ever assembled.

448

A RARE HEINRICH HIMMLER AUTOGRAPHED 1936 WINTER OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONIES PROGRAM. The 9 ½” x 6 ½ “ folded program embossed with the German Eagle and the cover signed by Himmler (1900-1945) and by Franz Ritter Von Epp (1868-1946). Lot also includes two 5” x 6’ German collector sports cards depicting high jumper Cornelius Jones and Olympic legend Jesse Owens with Helen Stephens. It was Owens whose four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics, upset Hitler’s plans to use the games as evidence of Aryan superiority. Verso of each sports card printed in German with explanatory text of image.

449

A VERY RARE HITLER AND HINDENBURG SIGNED DOCUMENT, APRIL 10, 1933. A very important and historically significant Hitler signed document as Chancellor. The approximately. 12” x 8” ornate “Im Namen des Reichs” letterhead with blind embossed eagle, in German. Just weeks after the elections and the Reichstag fire, Hitler, then Chancellor, consolidates his power, here appointing one of his early supporters, Franz Ritter von Epp to be Governor of Bavaria. Document also boldly signed by then German President Paul Von Hindenburg (1847-1934). Franz Ritter von Epp (1868-1946) was the commander of the Munich SA forces, was a member of the Reichstag, and headed the Colonial Political office of the NSDAP. Hitler and Hindenburg appearing on the same document is rarely seen. Lot also includes a T.L.S. from Hans H. Lammers (1879-1962) Minister and Chief of the Reich Chancellory. Lammers letter, on official letterhead, congratulates von Epp on his appointment and mentions that Hitler, who is on a leave, has personally asked him (Lammers) to express his (Hitler’s) thanks to von Epp for his promise of dedication and diligence to his new position. Both professionally framed and matted.

Provenance: Estate of William Windsor

450

AN EXTREMELY RARE EMPEROR HIROHITO SIGNED DOCUMENT, CIRCA 1929-1933. A beautiful signed document accepting President Herbert Hoover’s choice of Consul to Nagoya, Japan; The consul was appointed about the time Japan invaded Manchuria. Emperor Hirohito (1901-1989) signs in Japanese characters with a brush. The document, written in a very formal and imperial tone, accepts Austin R. Preston as an American diplomat and grants him all the rights and privileges of such position. The 18” x 12 ½” document is professionally framed and matted.  Accompanied by a full English translation. Rare.

Provenance: The Estate of William Windsor