Military buffs you’ll be seeing stars in bunches with this pair of framed displays featuring autographs by officers of the highest rank. General John “Black Jack” Pershing (d.1948) and Admiral William “Bull” Halsey (d.1959) are the focus of this dignified pairing of professionally mounted ensemble pieces with auction LOA from JSA.

Commander of the American Expeditionary Force on the WWI Western Front, Pershing was awarded the rank of “General of the Armies” in 1919. Considered the equivalent of a six star general, this position was created for him by a thankful Congress and made Pershing the highest ranking officer of American forces. He remains the only person to ever attain this rank while living. However in 1976 President Gerald Ford promoted George Washington to this same rank and as Washington’s date of service predates that of all other American commanding officers, he will always be the highest ranking officer in U.S. history.  

Pershing is seen here in a majestic ensemble piece framed to overall dimensions of 37-1/2 x 27-1/2”. This handsome display features a brass title plate, four photographs, a red cloth insignia swatch with six white stars arranged in a cluster and a Pershing signed check. This check was signed by Pershing while he was in office as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. Drawn on the Riggs National Bank of Washington DC, this check No. 1219 is dated 7/30/21 and made payable to Waldo C. Moore in the amount of “One Cent Only”.  Pershing’s fountain pen signature remains prominent, though slightly faded to (“7”) strength. Waldo Moore is a well-known numismatist, who served as president of the American Numismatic Association 1919-1920. His passion for collecting checks signed by celebrities of his day is well documented and accounts for the curious amount of the offered check, which was his typical request of one cent. All elements of this historically significant piece, including the frame, present in excellent condition.

One of four U.S. Naval officers to ever attain the rank of “Fleet Admiral”, Halsey is best remembered for commanding the Third Fleet during WWII and for the sports minded, he lettered in football while playing for the U.S. Naval Academy in the early 1900s. Halsey was promoted to Fleet Admiral in December of 1945 and remains the most recent to attain this five star rank, which is the Navy equivalent to General of the Army.

Halsey and his five stars are seen in the offered 30 x 18-1/2” display, which features two photos, a Navy Seal emblem, a metal five star cluster and a signed typed letter. This TLS is dated 4/24/59 and is addressed to “Rear Admiral A.R. Mack, USN (Ret.)”. In the contents, Halsey agrees to continue participation on the Advisory Council of The Military Order of the World Wars. Applied as “W.F. Halsey”, Halsey’s signature shows (“8-9”) potency in the customary position at the bottom of the letter. As with the Pershing display, all elements of this piece report in excellent condition.

Frames included with lots: while we make every effort to protect the frames included in these lots during pre-auction storage and post-auction shipping, we are not responsible for any damage to the frames themselves, and no refunds will be given due to frame damage.