Sports Memorabilia, Trading Cards, and Americana May 16'26
Lot 836:
Description
BID PER WHAT YOU SEE IN THE PHOTO, NOT THE AI GENERATED TITLES AND DESCRIPTIONS! A Collection of World War II to Early Cold War United States Navy Destroyer and Battleship Photographs and Ephemera
This grouping primarily documents United States Navy destroyer operations and shipboard life during the transition from World War II to the early Cold War period, circa 1944 to 1955. The collection features several silver gelatin prints and snapshot-style photographs of Allen M. Sumner-class and Gearing-class destroyers. Identified vessels by hull number include the USS Compton (705), USS Gainard (706), USS Hyman (732), USS Purdy (734), USS Beatty (756), and the USS Bristol (857). One photograph shows the USS Compton (705) in World War II-era Measure 32 disruptive camouflage.
The collection also includes images of heavy naval surface combatants, featuring the triple 16-inch main battery turrets of an Iowa-class or South Dakota-class battleship with officers and crew present on deck. Personnel are depicted in various candid scenes, including sailors in service dress and working uniforms. One series of snapshots captures a sailor with a black-and-white dog mascot on deck, with a handwritten caption identifying the animal as Burt. Included ephemera consists of a printed booklet titled Handbook of General Information featuring a cover image of the high-speed transport USS Herrick (597).
Condition report:
The items show various signs of age and handling. Several larger ship portraits exhibit significant surface rippling, creasing, and silvering or oxidation of the silver gelatin layer. Smaller snapshots and postcards show typical edge wear, yellowing, and minor corner bumping. The printed handbook shows moderate cover wear and some localized staining.
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