Lot 228

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Description:

Douglas MacArthur Signs Japanese Surrender Photo with Related Photos and Eyewitness Letter. One of Only a Few Known

A sepia-toned photograph, measuring 4.625" x 3.625", no place, undated. An iconic photograph of Douglas MacArthur signing the formal surrender of the Japanese Army aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Signed in blue ink at the lower margin, "Douglas MacArthur." The photograph has been repaired at the top left corner with a contemporary photograph. While photographs of the event signed by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz are plentiful, images signed by MacArthur are much more rare. Only two other examples of signed photographs have been found, selling for $16,875 and $50,000.

Included with the signed photograph are thee additional photographs and a letter with an eyewitness account of the ceremony. The letter is 2pp, measuring 5.25" x 8.5", [Chicago], dated June 3, 1947. From "William Jig" to "Ralph", written on blue bordered stationary. Jig, who was present on the USS Missouri during the formal Japanese surrender, recounts his recollections of the event to his friend. In full:

"Just to prove that I was sober for a while anyway, here's the pictures we promised for the scrapbook. One of them carries the 'gen-u-wine' signature of MacA, which I had forgotten about, So maybe that makes it more desirable too. The pix were all taken on the Missouri. The comments on the other two were put there at the time I was still overseas. Cosgrave is the Canadian representative who got stiff before the ceremony (he even looks boiled in the picture) and signed the wrong line. The Japs set up a howl - something about an insult to the Emperor so the ceremony came to a halt until the draftsman could repair the damage. They all had a couple of snifters beforehand, but Cosgrave had done more than his share. And so the war was won! Jean & I sure miss you folks. Things seem pretty dead in Chicago with you gone. So drop a line soon & let us know what you are doing."

The Canadian representative, Lawrence Moore Cosgrave, is known to have signed on the line intended for the French representative on the Japanese copy of the surrender. However, it has been generally attributed to having been blinded in one eye during service in WWI, rather than any malintent.

The photographs Jig mentions are included and are as follows:

Snapshot image of Lieutenant General Richard K. Sutherland standing by the desk as Japanese Foreign
Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signs the Instrument of Surrender. Measuring 2.75" x 3.625", no place, undated. Hand captioned at the top "Gen. Sutherland = C/S." With a clipped upper left corner.

Snapshot image of MacArthur delivering his address to open the surrender ceremonies, with representatives from the Allied Powers. Measuring 4.75" x 3.75", no place, undated. Representatives are identified (left to right): Xu Yongchang (China); Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, RN (United Kingdom); Lieutenant General Kuzuma Derevyanko (Soviet Union); General Sir Thomas Blamey (Australia); Colonel Lawrence Moore Cosgrave (Canada); General Jacques LeClerc (France); and Admiral Conrad E.L. Helfrich (the Netherlands). With an ink inscription at the upper margin: "COSGRAVE who snafued the signing" with an arrow pointing to the Colonel.

Snapshot image of two men in uniform. Measuring 3.25" x 4.5", Birmingham, September 4, 1946. The men are identified with a lower margin inscription as Ralph S. Pellman and Arnold Royer. Stamped on verso "Lollar's: Birmingham, Sep. 4, 1946." All of the photographs have light toning and wear. As mentioned, the signed image has the top left corner repaired. Boldly signed. The eyewitness letter has flattened mail folds.

Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) was a five-star general who, prior to World War II, served as the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. He played a key role in the Allied push into the Pacific theater during the war, and received the Medal of Honor for his service. MacArthur formally accepted the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945, officially ending the Second World War.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000