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Premium Aviation and WWII Autographed Lithographs
5 Lots
 Lot 214. Stunning Crew-Signed Lithographs (2) Depicting the WWII “Enola Gay,” “Bock’s Car.” On Aug. 6, 1945, the U.S. used the B-29 Superfortress “Enola Gay” to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Three days later, and “Bock’s Car” bombed Nagasaki. Another five days later, Emperor Hirohito announced that Japan would surrender on U.S. terms to end World War II. Artwork by William S. Phillips and Craig Kodera portrays the two U.S. aircraft. Each is autographed by five crew members and the artist. Phillips’ artwork of the “Enola Gay” is titled “Dawn, the World Forever Changed,” while Kodera’s depiction of “Bock’s Car” is titled “Lonely Flight to Destiny.” Each print is #163 of 1,000 issued as a set in 1994 by the Greenwich Workshop under the title “The Men Who Brought the Dawn: The Atomic Missions of ‘Enola Gay’ and ‘Bock’s Car’.” The “Enola Gay” print is signed in pencil by Paul Tibbets, the command pilot; Tom Ferebee, the bombardier; Dutch Van Kirk, the navigator; Bob Caron, the tail gunner; R (Richard) Nelson, the radio operator, and Phillips. Van Kirk is the last surviving member of the crew. Kodera autographed the “Bock’s Car” print, along with (Charles) C. D. Albury, pilot; Fred J. Olivi, co-pilot; (James) J Van Pelt, navigator; John D. Kuharek, flight engineer, and Ray Gallagher, assistant flight engineer. The autographs are 10s. The prints are 17” x 23 ¼ and mint with the Greenwich Workshop Certificate of Authenticity, registration form and original Greenwich envelope. Autographs authenticated by Kevin Keating. These lithographs typically are offered for about $2,000. They are well worth our
Minimum Bid $500.
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 Lot 215. “Knights of the Eastern Front” – Highly Sought Taylor Print Signed by 6 German Aces. In this 34” x 25” lithograph, aviation artist Robert Taylor depicts Messerschmitt Me109G aircraft attacking a Russian Yak 9s. The Messerschmitts are flown by members of JG-52, the most successful Luftwaffe fighter wing during World War II. The wing scored more than 10,000 aerial victories. The lithograph is signed in pencil by the artist and Erich Hartmann, Günther Rall, Walter Krupinski, Herbert Ihlefeld, Dieter Hrabak and Johannes Steinhoff. The autographs are 9s and 10s. Hartmann (died is the highest scoring ace in history with 352 victories, and one of only two aces in history to destroy more than 300 aircraft. Rall (d. 2009) is the third leading fighter ace in history with 275 victories. The totals for the four other pilots are: Krupinski (d. 2000), 197; Steinhoff (d. 1994), 176; Ihlefeld (d. 1995), 132, and Hrabak (d. 1995), 125. The lithograph, #823 of 1250, is rolled and has minor corner creasing or stubbing. A Certificate of Authenticity from the Military Gallery accompanies it. Autographs authenticated by Kevin Keating. This print routinely carries a price tag of about $2,000.
Minimum Bid $500.
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 Lot 216. Scarce, Beautifully Executed “Boeing B-17E Fortress” Signed by Lt. Col. Ira Eaker. An aviation pioneer, Eaker commanded the Eighth Air Force for part of World War II. He was instrumental in developing a strategic bombing force, supported by fighter planes, which helped to win the war. Eaker’s pencil signature is a bold 10 on a 19 ¾” x 21 ¾” lithograph with artwork by John Young. The limited edition, #596 of 850, was published in 1978 in England to benefit the Battle of Britain Museum. It shows Eaker’s plane, the “Yankee Doodle,” and other B-17Es enroute to attack the marshalling yards at Rouen-Sotteville on Aug. 17, 1942. General Eaker took part in the attack, the first offensive action by Eighth Air Force heavy bombers in WWII. It was also the first U.S. heavy bomber daylight raid. The print is nm-m. Autograph authenticated by Kevin Keating. Eaker passed away in 1987. Impressive!
Minimum Bid $100.
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