Bob Hudson US Military Collectibles

WWII Era German Propaganda Books

2011-09-06T23:47:00.000-07:00

Our new online store has some pre-WWII German propaganda books for sale http://bhmilitaria.com/propbooks.shtml

These books are marked for the Aachen City Library, "Aaachen Stadtbüchere" and were rebound by the library.

The titles include Hitler in seinen Bergen, Mit Hitler in Polen, Sieh: Das Herz Europas, Die Deutsche Luftwaffe.

Dickie Mountbatten

2011-03-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

The letters that Lord Louis Mountbatten signed as Dickie Mountbatten also include an original 1965 luncheon invitation he sent to Admiral US Grant Sharp when Sharp was in the UK for SEATO meetings (the Southeast Asia version of NATO).

Lord Louis Mountbatten 1st Earl of Burma - or just plain Dickie

2011-03-23T16:57:00.000-07:00

Lord Louis Mountbatten 1st Earl of Burma was the great-grandson of Queen Victoria, who gave him the nickname Dickie.

It is very rare to see something signed by him as Dickie Mountbatten, but these are two such notes sent to US Navy Admiral US Grant Sharp, who was supreme commander of US military forces in the Vietnam War from 1964-1968. Mountbatten had been Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command in World War II so there must have been a kinship between the two. The letters are addressed to "Oley" which was the admiral's nickname. You can click on the photos to see these enlarged. These are original documents and are for sale: Click here for more information.

Jacqueline Kennedy signature on signed note to US Navy Admiral

2011-03-12T22:44:00.000-08:00

In 1966 Jacqueline Kennedy and her two children visited Hawaii. She later wrote a note to US Pacific Forces Commander-in-Chief US Grant Sharp. She references "John" and that is her son John F Kennedy Jr. Jackie Kennedy still had a "franking"privilege then so instead of a stamp, the envelope has her signature.

President Lyndon Johnson signature on notes to military leader

2011-03-12T22:34:00.000-08:00

These came from the estate of the late Admiral US Grant Sharp who was Commander In Chief of Pacific Forces from 1964-68 and was commander of all US troops in Vietnam: think of him as being the Eisenhower of the Vietnam War (Eisenhower was Supreme Commander of forces in the war against Germany).

These two notes from President Lyndon Baines Johnson are rare examples of notes from a sitting President to the an active wartime theater commander. LBJ's signature itself is rare, and something like this is pretty much impossible to find. I also show a note the florist sent when the President and Mrs. Johnson sent flowers to Sharp and his wife during the Johnson's trip to Hawaii for a conference with South Vietnam leaders (Sharp was headquartered in Hawaii).

Official US Navy Tiara

2010-12-23T19:41:00.001-08:00

This may be one of the more obscure pieces of US Navy uniform items:
the tiara. It is an optional item for wear with women's Formal and
Dinner dress uniforms and it appears that they have to be
custom-made. These are still listed as an optional item in the
current Navy uniform regulations. Officially "Article 3501.86," it is
described thusly:

Description

Small and crescent shaped, to fit over crown of the head. It is made
of black velvet with appropriate cap device embroidered at the
center, and for admirals, captains, and commanders, appropriate
graduated rank ornamentation embroidered on either side.

Correct Wear

Wear over the crown of the head. The tiara need not be removed indoors.

My wife thought it was pretty cool and just had to try it on!

OC White Super Scope 2000 Video Magnifier

2010-10-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

I am offering an OC White Super Scope 2000 Vidego magnifier, inspection system that magnifies up to 40X: essentially a high-powered video microscope with a large LCD screen and full zoom lens and focus controls. This unit sold new for over $5,000 and I am offering it for $999 OBO including heavy duty adjustable stand and a fluorescent ring light. Unlike some of the lightweight plastic video magnification systems out there, this OC White video magnifier with its rugged metal case and large lens controls is designed for industrial environments where things need to stand up to heavy use. The TFT LCD screen is polarized to reduce light reflection and the case has a shield above the screen to block overhead light. The unit has a composite video output (RCA plug) for connection to other video monitors or computer video digitizers. There is also a locking padded travel/storage case. You can buy this video inspection system from my Ebay store by clicking here.

Japanese artillery gunner's quadarant clinometer

2010-09-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

This is a brass quadrant used for adjusting elevation on artillery. It has two Japanese characters on one of the scales plus what appears to be an arsenal mark and a serial number consistent with what is seen on other WWII Japanese military items such as rifle and bayonets.

WWII German Schutzpolizei uniforms

2010-09-18T08:39:00.000-07:00

I have two WWII German Schutzpolizei Schupo police-polizei uniforms for sale (one still has the original paper tags attached): they came out of an attic this month, still in the duffle bag of the soldier who had brought them home from the war. I have about 30 photos of these Schutzpolizei posted here: http://www.hudsonmilitaria.com/policeuniforms/

Kanemitsu WWII Japanese Katana Sword Seki School

2010-02-04T08:22:00.001-08:00

Recently found this genuine WWII Japanese Katana sword from the Seki
school. The writing on the tang says, "No shu ju Seki Kanemitsu
saku". I have a lot more photos at http://hudsonmilitaria.com/sword/

Sterling Silver P-38 Lightning Earrings

2009-10-22T15:57:00.000-07:00

Found these today: two pairs of WWII vintage sterling silver screwback P-38 Lightning earrings, one pair gold plated. I have listed them for sale here: www.hudsonmilitaria.com -

B66 Bomber & Vietnam airlift pilot grouping

2009-09-21T08:16:00.001-07:00

Vintage US Air Force Jet Age pilot helmets (including a P-1B P-1 series helmet and an HGU-2/P helmet), plus K-2B and CWU/47 flight suits, flight gear, L-2B flight jackets, flight manuals, etc. from a Cold War bomber pilot who flew A-26, B-57 and B-66 bombers and then flew C-130's and C-141's in Vietnam. The photos above show just some of the items: the complete inventory and dozens of photos can be seen at: usmilitariaforum.com

This grouping is from the career of a US Air Force pilot who started out as an enlisted man in the Air Corps in WWII, got his private pilot wings in the late 1940's, joined the US Air Force in the early 50's, became a USAF pilot and flew B-25's, A-26's, T-33's, B-57's, B-66's, C-130's and C-141's. He had more than a thousand hours in the B-66 and C-130, more than 2,000 hours in the C-141 and almost 600 combat flying hours in Vietnam, according items included in the grouping. He retired as a Major in 1974.

US Air Force T-33 and B-57 flight manuals

2009-09-16T21:03:00.001-07:00

I've photographed a couple more of these: if you love aircraft, these
flight manuals and handbooks are the ultimate books to have.

I've added the T-33 flight manual and the B-57 flight manual.

B-26 & C-141 flight manuals

2009-09-15T09:57:00.001-07:00

The same US Air Force pilot who saved the helmets shown below also
saved flight manuals of most of the aircraft he flew. Today I
photographed the handbooks for the C-141A Starlifter and the B-26B
Invader (later known as the A-26 Invader ). It is rare to find
original flight manuals, most of the ones sold today are reprints or
scanned PDF digital files. The C-141 flight manual has two parts: the
basic flight handbook and the performance data handbook. The B-26
manual is not in a binder. I have not yet listed these in my store at
http://hudsonmilitaria.com/ but I expect I will ask $150 for the
C-141 flight manual set and $150 for the A-26B/ B-26B flight manual.
I also have others that I will post here, including flight manuals
for the B-57 and T-33. I also have check list manuals for these
aircraft and the B-66 bomber, among others.
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More about the P-1 series helmet and rare Gentex DH-5

2009-09-15T07:38:00.001-07:00

The P-1B flight helmet is priced at $2,250 OBO and the DH-5 at $3,250 OBO - don't be afraid to make an offer. It is hard to find a P-1 series helmet in this condition and the DH-5 (also apparently known as the DH-5-3 flight helmet ) looks to have been worn very little.

Both helmets have the same provenance coming from the estate of a career US Air Force pilot. I'm trying to put together his history: I got a lot of his stuff but very little paperwork. I have three early flight logs which show he started civilian flight training in 1945 while still an enlisted man in the Army Air Force. He started flying in the USAF in 1953 and quickly worked his way through the L-21, T-6, T-28 and then by November 53 he was flying a B-25 for multi-engine training. His flight helmets probably date from his time in B-57's (with the 34th Bomb Squadron, where he also flew the B-26 Invader) and B-66's: he racked up more than 1,000 hours in the B-66, including time with the 84th Bombardment Squadron in England. He later flew C-130's and C-141's and had more than 500 hours of combat flight time in Vietnam.
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P-1B Jet Age flight helmet

2009-09-13T23:26:00.001-07:00

I have listed for sale two outstanding vintage flight helmets
including an excellent example of the early P-1 series of flight
helmets from the early 1950's. The P1-B was the same as the P1-A and
this one has the P-3 visor, original communications earpieces and is
otherwise in original condition with an August 1954 manufacturing
date. You can see more photos of the P-1B helmet and price
information at http://www.hudsonmilitaria.com/

Also listed there is a rare Gentex DH-5 helmet, an experimental model
that never went into production. It has tracks on either side of the
visor.
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WWII US Marine Corps Women's Reserve Uniforms

2009-07-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

Somewhat rare and hard to find are the uniforms issued to the 18,000 women who served in the US Marine Corps Women's Reserve in World War II. I found several pieces worn by a female Sgt. who served from 1943 to 1946. The moths got to the wool service dress uniforms, but there are several pieces of the utility/work uniforms including her official issue culottes. I have the complete details and photos at http://hudsonmilitaria.com/

German NSKK Crash Helmet

2009-05-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

This first pattern NSKK crash helmet from the 1930's needs to have the earflap panels resewn which is why it is listed at only $600 (or best offer). You can see more photos at www,hudsonmilitaria.com/TR/

34th Division Human Insignia photo 1918

2009-02-23T13:11:00.000-08:00

This is an original photograph of the 34th Infantry Division forming their insignia on August 18, 1918. There are 16,000 men in this photo taken at Camp Cody, New Mexico by Almeron Newman of nearby Deming NM (Newman is worth a Google search: his prints mostly seem to be in the Library of Congress, museums, government and university archives).

The title of the photo is ANIMATED CREST 34TH DIVISION and in the lower left corner it is marked "Number 2". Images of the "Number 1" version can be found in many places on the web: it has far fewer men in it and basically there is a lot of empty space around the elements of the patch. but I was not able to find this "Number 2" version anywhere else, not an image at all. This is an original photographic print about 13.5 inches by 15.5 inches. The price is $349 OBO including shipping.

Letter from USS Arizona crewman killed on Dec. 7 1941

2009-02-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

This is an original letter from USS Arizona crewman killed on Dec. 7 1941, written to former shipmate on Oct. 10, 1941. Is is now for sale at http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

USS Arizona's newsletter AT 'EM ARIZONA

2009-02-16T20:27:00.000-08:00

I have seven original issues of the USS Arizona's newsletter AT 'EM ARIZONA for sale. Click here for more on that: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/

USS Arizona photo album from 1938

2009-02-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

This is a late 1930's (about 1938) photo album from the USS Arizona, with about 140 photos, many of them identified by name (some of the photos show an Arizona crewman who was killed on December 7, 1941). You can get more info here: http://cgi.ebay.com

China Marine painting by Mary Augusta Mullikin

2009-01-20T10:16:00.000-08:00

This is an interesting one: a 1946 portrait of a US Marine, painted in China in 1946 by renowned artist Mary Augusta Mullikin, famed for her China landscapes. This was painted after she was released from the Japanese prisoner of war camp where she had spent World War II. I have a lot more about her and the subject of the painting here: http://hudsonmilitaria.com/Mullikin/

WWII leather A-2 flight jacket patches

2009-01-20T10:11:00.000-08:00

Found this recently: it's all from a World War II bombardier in the 5th Air Force, 461st Bombardment Group, 766th Bombardment Squadron - The Liberaiders.

These are handpainted leather patches and one can only imagine how cook they'd look on an A2 flight jacket.

You can see larger photos here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300288272418

WWII press photos

2008-12-28T21:56:00.000-08:00

This week I acquired more than 380 press photos from World War II.
These are photos distributed to newspapers and these particular ones
were from Acme Newspictures. Most are from the war in the Pacific,
some are from Europe and some from the homefront.

There are lots of very interesting photos here and I've stated
scanning them and putting them online at
http://homepage.mac.com/bobhudsoncom/PressPhotos/PhotoAlbum47.html -
if you see something you're interested in feel free to make an offer.
There are two types of photos: ones that were printed direct from
negatives and have a caption on a separate piece of paper, and ones
that sent from the war zones using a type of fax technology sent via
shortwave radio. Those have the captions printed on the photo and
don't have the quality of the ones made direct from negatives.
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US Navy cruise jackets

2008-12-27T17:21:00.000-08:00

I've been getting inquiries about Navy West Pac cruise jackets so I am going to start buying them (and other area cruise jackets) when I see them.

I acquired two today: one for the USS Elliot 1995 Arabian Gulf cruise and one for the USS Tripoli 1985 West Pac cruise.

More Oriskany items

2008-12-15T18:55:00.001-08:00

I have acquired some more items from the estate of Capt. Iarrobino
including a portrait, his Navy retirement certificate, a letter
making him an honorary citizen of Oriskany, New York, some large
plaques, a ribbon rack and more:
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=31950

USS Orisknay Captain's items

2008-12-10T15:13:00.000-08:00

I am selling a grouping of items from a US Navy Captain who was commanding officer of the USS Oriskany in 1966 when it had a tragic fire. There are some one-of-a-kind items in this. Cick here for more info.

Used Hohner 265 double bass harmonica

2008-12-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

I long tried to learn to play harmonica - but never got it down. Once
in a while a I pick up one and blow a few notes and try to imagine
myself wailing the blues....

I've sold a few harmonicas over the years, but this one blew me away
when I saw it and heard it. It's the Hohner 265 chromatica bass
instrument: looking like to large harmonicas hinged together. The box
is marked in German "chromatische Bass-Harmonika."

This must be the most expensive harmonica made: New these have a list
price of over $1,300 and retail for about $950. I've placed my used
one on Ebay for less than half that:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300278632435
- even if you have no desite to play one, you have to see the photos.
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M1 helmet liners from the thrift store

2008-11-17T13:31:00.001-08:00

I picked up six M1 liners at the thrift store today: the guy just ahead of me got the other six. All are Vietnam era or earlier with a couple MSA and a scouple Firestones.

Collette canteen cover

2008-10-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

These were made under contract for the Marine Corps in 1952. I got this from the estate of Sgt. Major.

1965 Vietnam War leather boots

2008-10-25T14:13:00.000-07:00

These are the leather boots issued concurrently with the jungle boots during the Vietnam War. These have apparently never been worn although they were made in 1965. They are size 6R and have no laces. They are $20 plus shipping. Contact me if interested.

Navy WEST PAC cruise jacket

2008-09-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

Saw this one in a thrift store today.

Stalag Luft III POW YMCA WARTIME LOG FOR SALE

2008-09-19T07:18:00.001-07:00

I have now listed this very extensive grouping for sale from a WWII pilot: it includes his WARTIME LOG (a POW diary) plus everything seen in this composite photo and over 145 pounds of documents, plus several official 16mm films (including gun camera film) and even a projector to play the film. You can see all the details here: www.hudsonmilitaria.com/jonesy

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USMC M-1951 Field Jacket

2008-09-18T15:49:00.000-07:00

One of many finds in a 140 mile thrift store circuit today is this US Marine Corps M-1951 Field Jacket in size medium with an Oct 5, 1951 contract date. It has a few stains here and there but seems to be in sound condition.

Test

2008-08-22T17:33:00.000-07:00

Google is having problems that prevents email updates of a blog. This
is a test. This is only a test.
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Vietnam Veteran's wife's vest

2008-08-22T17:02:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting: a leather "biker" type vest apparently owned by the wife of a Vietnam veteran.

US Constabulary School Album

2008-08-10T12:04:00.000-07:00

An interesting find today is this photo album from the US Constabulary School which operated in post-WWII Germany. A US Army website says this was published circa 1948. Each photo is hand-printed and pasted into the album.

WWII P-51 Fighter Pilot - POW

2008-08-05T00:38:00.000-07:00

I am preparing the FOR SALE listing for a massive collection of documents, photos, books. medals, flight gear and other items that belonged to a WWII fighter squadron commander who was shot down over Germany and spent time as a POW at Stalag Luft III. His POW diary - a Wartime Log - is included in the grouping. I have done more than 180 photographs and will take some time to get them organized into a listing but you can see this work in progress at www.hudsonmilitaria.com.

Teitzel Jones boots

2008-08-02T02:33:00.000-07:00

The boots are now on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300247737681

Teitzel Jones Dehner started repairing boots for cavalrymen at Fort Riley in about 1875 and made custom riding boots for Army officers up until about 1875. These probably date from the late 1930's.

Officers riding boots

2008-08-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

These are private purchase Teitzel Jones riding boots sold at Army base bases before WWII. I found these at the estate of a Brig. General .

Why is this woman smiling?

2008-07-30T19:06:00.001-07:00

Or is she?

Higher resolution

2008-07-30T12:26:00.001-07:00

For some reason the camera was not at its highest resolution setting. Let's see how this photo looks when double clicked.

WWII POW document

2008-07-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

In World War II the international YMCA gave prisoners of war hardcover books with blank pages. POW's filled these with writing and drawings, often from fellow POW's. I will be selling one that belong to a POW who was a fighter pilot and a senior POW at Stalag Luft III. His book included a note apparently smuggled to his camp from four airmen held elsewhere after beind tried as spies. The note was originally folded to about one by two inches in size.

Got it working!

2008-07-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

I found out that if a Treo phone photo has been rotated you can not email it to the Blogger. That's a minor problem, although it is sometimes handy to take photos "the other way" especially tall narrow scenes and objects. Oh well, that's showbiz.

Now to find some new old militaria to post.

One worked - will this?

2008-07-30T10:17:00.001-07:00

Made one Treo post with photo work. Let's try one more.

Another photo test

2008-07-30T10:12:00.000-07:00

Will this work?

Well this does not work

2008-07-30T00:14:00.002-07:00

The photo did not come through because Google's mail system thinks the JPEG photos from my Treo phone are some sort of virus and Google won't accept the email post to the blog. That shoots down my main reason for starting this.

Oh well, time to go explore other companies blog software. And oh, here is the mannequin, uploaded from my MacBook laptop instead of the Treo phone.

Welcome to my blog

2008-07-30T00:14:00.001-07:00

I hope to use this to post updates on new militaria finds from the field. If you see something you like, please visit my Ebay store under the name bobhudsoncommunications or my website http://hudsonmilitaria.com

So, let's do a test and see if I can add a picture to this first posting, which is being done from my Palm Treo 750 phone. This is a mannequin that sits in our home, wearing the Korean War uniform of Marine Cpl Bob Shurte.