Lot 204

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Description:

George Patton General's Star Relic from his Staff/Death Car, Ex-Nicholson Collection

This iconic piece is the rare "general's star" from Patton's car, and may very well have been removed from his famous death car (images of his cars are shown in the listing so one can see the placement of where the stars are located on the vehicle). The star is approximately 2.25" from star point to point. The metal has slight chipping. The verso is a screw with bolt which would be the mechanism used for attachment to the plate. Accompanied by a signed typed letter of provenance stating the star was purchased some time ago in Vermont in a large display case filled with hundreds of World War II relics that "were brought back and tagged by a soldier in the E.T.O. There were photo albums showing downed planes and ruined buildings and many other patches and items that bore tags similar to the one that is on this item". Ex-Nicholson Collection.

Patton loved pageantry, pomp, and circumstance, and loved the stars of rank. He had stars symbolizing the rank of his generalship placed on both the front and rear of his assigned vehicles. Patton achieved a four-star general ranking in recompense for his battlefield exploits; he was acknowledged as one of the best commanders of mechanized forces on either side during World War II. He succeeded Dwight D. Eisenhower as the Military Governor of the U.S. Occupation Zone in Germany, when Ike -- a five-star general -- was promoted to Army Chief of Staff.

Patton's death, now surrounded by conspiracy theories, occurred while Patton was in his car in Occupied Germany on December 9, 1945. The accident occurred one day before Patton was scheduled to return to the United States. In one account, Patton was a passenger in a 1939 Cadillac Model 75, accompanied by his Chief of Staff Major General Hobart R. Gay, and chauffeured by PFC Horace Woodring. Patton was sitting in the back seat with Gay. At some point, a 2.5-ton truck attempted a left-hand turn towards a side road in front of the Cadillac near Neckarstadt, Germany. The Cadillac crashed into the truck, throwing Patton violently forward. Patton's head hit a metal partition between the front and back seats resulting in severe injuries. Gay and the driver Woodring were unharmed. Patton was left paralyzed and died of a heart attack or embolism on December 21, 1945 at the military hospital in Heidelberg. His wife came, but he was unable to speak to her. This is the official version of the accident and death. There is much speculation, however, that Patton, due to his unpopular views and political potential, was assassinated by either the U.S.S.R. or the U.S.

This remarkable relic, clearly from his staff car, may have even been from his his very last ride.

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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November 11, 2020 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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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