Scarce signed photo of Gen. MacArthur on the USS Cleveland to observe the last major amphibious landing of World War II

In the closing chapters of the Pacific Theater of World War II, the USS Cleveland put out from Subic Bay on June 7th to act as part of the covering force and provide fire support for the invasion landings at Brunei Bay, Borneo, on June 10th. She returned to Subic Bay on June 15th, then sailed to Manila to embark General of the Army Douglas MacArthur and his staff as observers of the assault on Balikpapan, the last major amphibious landing of World War II. Just weeks later, the atomic bombs would be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the long conflict would draw to a close. A remarkable, historic photograph of MacArthur at war’s end. Starting Bid $300

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7.75 x 9.75 head-and-shoulders portrait photo of the American five-star general, signed nicely in fountain pen, “Douglas MacArthur, Tokyo 1948.” In very good to fine condition, with some creasing to the upper right and lower left corners. After WWII, MacArthur’s headquarters were located in Tokyo, where he helped Japan to rebuild itself following the devastation of war; overseeing this redevelopment, MacArthur was effectively the interim leader of Japan from 1945 until 1948. Starting Bid $200

Signed. French soldier (1712–1759) best known as the commander of the forces in North America during the Seven Years’ War; he also served in the War of the Polish Succession and the War of the Austrian Succession. Rare partly-printed DS, in French, signed “Montcalm,” one page, 9.25 x 14, April 27, 1748. Document headed “By The King,” concerning a judgment against a soldier accused of desertion: Francois Desrigues, accused of deserting from his Laegeo Company, was found guilty. He was subsequently sentenced to be put to death by firing squad. Neatly signed at the conclusion in ink by Montcalm and several others. In fine condition. Starting Bid $300

Signed. Brother-in-law of Napoleon Bonaparte (1767-1815) who was a marshal in Napoleon’s regime and who reigned as King of Naples from 1808 to 1815. ALS in French, signed “J. Napoleon,” one page, 7.75 x 9.25, March 27, 1811. Untranslated letter to a government minister. Double-matted and framed to an overall size of 14 x 15.5. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

354. Napoleon Autograph Endorsement Signed. Exceedingly rare autograph endorsement signed, “Government etablie par Napoleon,” on an off-white 6.5 x 2.25 slip, certified below by General Baron Gaspard Gourgaud, one of Bonaparte’s faithful followers who accompanied him to St. Helena. Gourgaud notes that Napoleon penned this endorsement while in exile on St. Helena—an extreme rarity. In fine condition. Starting Bid $300

French military engineer (16331707) who worked under Louis XIV and who is generally considered the greatest engineer of his time, and one of the most important in European military history. Manuscript DS in French, signed “Vauban,” one page both sides, 8.25 x 5.75, 1675. Am untranslated stakeholder receipt from the Generality of Paris, signed on the reverse in ink by Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

355.

LS in French, signed “Nap.,” one page, 7.25 x 9, April 10, 1809. Untranslated letter to General Clarke regarding military matters, boldly signed by Napoleon Bonaparte. In fine condition, with minor staining along the top. Accompanied by an unsigned engraved portrait. Starting Bid $200