Enola Gay Memorabilia Obtained Directly from the Crew & Used in WWII Is the Most Expensive
To buy, sell or consign Enola Gay memorabilia, please email [email protected] or call Nate D. Sanders at (310) 440-2982. Thank you.
Enola Gay Memorabilia
While there are plenty of Enola Gay autographs on the market, due to their American popularity and their long lives after the war, what is rare is Enola Gay memorabilia that was owned by the famous crew. Only a few pieces of Enola Gay memorabilia directly obtained from the crew have made it to market. The best Enola Gay memorabilia deal directly with Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Enola Gay memorabilia is steadily growing in popularity and price. Here are two that we sold:
Historic, Original Maps Enabling the Dropping of the Atomic Bomb — Japan & Asia Maps From the Tail Gunner’s, George Caron’s, Survival Kit that was on Board the B-29, Enola Gay on Her 3 Three Missions over Japan Including the One on August 6, 1945 to Hiroshima With Provenance
George Caron’s East China Sea “Silk” Maps, used in Caron’s survival kit flown on the Enola Gay atomic bomb mission to Hiroshima. Accompanied by a letter of provenance and signed photograph. These AAF Cloth Charts, often referred to as a “silk” maps, contain two maps on opposite sides of a large piece (32.25″ x 30.5″) of thin cloth. Both maps, identified as C-52 and C-53, are detailed colored maps of the East China Sea, including Japan, with a scale of 1:4,000,000 and dated February 1945. The map legend is in the upper right corner of map No. C-52. Silk maps were issued by the Army Air Force for the Aeronautical Chart Service and were usually carried by pilots and crew in their survival kits when they flew over enemy territory. Intended to be durable, they were actually made of semi-synthetic fiber rather than silk. These maps, belonging to Technical Sergeant Caron and flown during the Hiroshima mission, have been gently pinned into a foam board backing and are in fine condition. The maps are accompanied by a one page handwritten letter of provenance signed by George Caron. The letter, with Caron’s name and address stamped at the top, is dated 26 October 1982, and addressed to Paul J. Boyer of Lakewood, Colorado. This notarized letter reads, “Please accept this letter as certification that the silk map of the Western Pacific Ocean you acquired from me came from the Tail Gunner’s survival kit that was on board the B-29, Enola Gay on her three missions over Japan including the one on Aug. 6, 1945 to Hiroshima.” Also included is a color photo (5″ x 3.5″, affixed to blue backing) of the Enola Gay signed on the backing below the photo, “Best wishes, Paul / George R. (Bob), Tail Gunner.” A tremendous piece of Enola Gay memorabilia. Sold for $14,400.
Morris Jeppson Original Drawing of the Bomb Explosion Above Hiroshima
Morris Jeppson signed and initialed original drawing of the Little Boy bomb detonation as the “Enola Gay B29 leaves after bombing from 31,000 feet.” Jeppson draws the “Mushroom Cloud” which appears above “Destruction and Fire” and “Hiroshima.” Clearly signed with rank at right margin, adding “Weapon Test Officer / Hiroshima Mission.” Also initialed at bottom right of drawing “MRJ.” 11″ x 8.5″ drawing is in fine condition. Accompanied by photo of Jeppson as he illustrates the mission. An important piece of Enola Gay memorabilia and Hiroshima memorabilia. Sold for $1,750.
To buy, sell or consign Enola Gay memorabilia, please email [email protected] or call Nate D. Sanders at (310) 440-2982. Thank you.