U.S.S. Indianapolis Grouping

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005

Lot of 6 items pertaining to the U.S.S. Indianapolis. The sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis by the Japanese submarine I-58 on July 30, 1945 was most costly tragedy in the history of the U.S. Navy. Of crew totaling 1,199, only 316 men were rescued. The sinking took only 12 minutes, however rescue operations did not commence until August 2, 1945 and were not finished until August 8. Adrift in shark-infested waters, hundreds of U.S. sailors met horrible deaths. This lot includes the following items: Document Signed "Franklin D Roosevelt", one page, 15" x 21", November 24, 1936, en route to South America. A tongue-in-cheek certificate from Neptune naming Radioman Stanley Quinn as "...worthy to numbered as one of our Trusty Shellbacks...". Colorful, with excellent Roosevelt signature. VF condition....plus; Photographic print, 8" x 10" showing President Roosevelt on board the Indianapolis in 1937...Plus; Photographic print, 8" x 10". An aerial view of the Indianapolis signed by 16 survivors...Plus; Photographic print, 8" x 10". Another view of the ship signed by 3 survivors...Plus; Photographic print, 8" x 10". The Indianapolis is shown steaming past the Golden Gate bridge. Signed by 16 survivors...Plus; U.S. Navy photographic print, 8" x 10", showing the officers of the Indianapolis. All images in Excellent condition with bold signatures...Plus; Book, ABANDON SHIP! by Richard F. Newcomb, 305 pages, octavo, Fourth Printing, November 1958, Henry Holt & Co., New York City. Written by a naval correspondent and signed by survivor Donald L. Beaty, this book tells the story of the Indianapolis and her tragic demise. Worn dust cover, else Fine condition...Plus; Miscellaneous post-war materials regarding the Indianapolis, including a crew roster. ...plus; Three postally used items, with U.S. S. Indianapolis cancellations. One is a rare postcard with real photo of the U.S.S. Indianapolis attached commemorating “Carrying Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt to Inter American Peace Conference Buenos Aires, Arg.” with another celebrating the “First Day in Commission” signed by two crewmembers. VG. A wonderful grouping.

Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).