Lot 413

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Description:

French Resistance
Algiers, Algeria, June 2, 1944
French Resistance TLS On "Le Général de Gaulle" Letterhead - Great Historical & Philatelic Interest!
TLS
A 1p typed letter signed in French, sent out by the office of Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970), then Chairman of the French National Committee and soon-to-be Chairman of the Provisional Government of the French Republic. June 2, 1944. Algiers, Algeria. The letter was signed by an unidentified official, presumably by the Chief of the Particular Secretariat of the Cabinet of General de Gaulle [trans: "Le Chef du Secrétariat Particulier / Cabinet du Général de Gaulle"], whose two administrative hand-stamps appear, one on the letter and one on the transmittal envelope. On watermarked stationery with "Le Général de Gaulle" embossed letterhead. Number docketed at upper left. Expected wear including flattened paper folds, else near fine. 8" x 10." The letter comes with its original transmittal envelope, with " Le Général de Gaulle" return address, bearing two additional hand-stamps and a matching numbered docket. The courier registration hand-stamp is dated June 6, 1944 and the "Bureau Central Militaire B.C.M.A." postmark is dated June 8, 1944. Neatly letter-opened. With bonus "First Communion of Charles de Gaulle" souvenir card depicting the Last Supper.

Historical items dating from Charles de Gaulle's administration in Algiers are prized because he led the French Resistance from there for only a little over one year, from May 1943 until June 1944. In fact, only two days after this thank-you letter was written, Charles de Gaulle was back in England in advance of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. De Gaulle had established his new headquarters in Bayeux, France by mid-June.

The letter from General Charles de Gaulle's office thanked Rose Sutro (1870-1957), an American professional pianist, for her recent $50 contribution to the "Souscription Nationale pour la Résistance" [trans: National Subscription for the Resistance."] This was a fundraising effort organized by Free French leaders and joint heads Charles de Gaulle and Henri Giraud in mid-October 1943, five months after they had moved their headquarters from London to Algiers. The National Subscription accepted donations from individuals and groups, with oversight provided by the Comité d'Action en France. Funds were used to provide food, provisions, clothing, and "help of all kinds" to French Resistance fighters.

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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    Dimensions:
  • 8" x 10"
  • Artist Name:
  • French Resistance
  • Medium:
  • TLS

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June 26, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
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$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