Collection of Early U.S. Army and War Department Autographs — Including Arctic Explorer Adolphus Greely, Chief of Air Corps Benjamin Foulois, and Eight Other Generals

A diverse and historically rich group of ten military autograph items, each signed by a distinguished U.S. Army general or War Department official spanning from the post–Civil War era through the early 20th century. Highlights include:

1. Major General Adolphus W. Greely – Typed letter signed, Washington, D.C., April 2, 1932, to Alfred E. Newman. The famed Arctic explorer and Medal of Honor recipient writes in his own hand, “I am too old to do much writing,” signing “A.W. Greely, Major General U.S. Army.” Greely commanded the ill-fated 1881 Lady Franklin Bay Expedition.

2. Major General Benjamin D. Foulois – Bold signature and title “Chief of the Air Corps, U.S. Army,” dated October 16, 1935, on War Department letterhead. One of the pioneers of American military aviation, Foulois made the first solo military airplane flight in 1909 under the Wright Brothers’ instruction.

3. Brigadier General E. R. Edwards – Signature as “Brig. Gen’l U.S. Army.” Edwards commanded the 26th (Yankee) Division in France during World War I and led American troops in the Meuse-Argonne offensive.

4. Brigadier General J. G. C. Lee – Signature as “Brig. Gen’l A.S. Asst Chief of Ordnance,” likely related to his ordnance work during the late 19th century.

5. Major General Omar Bundy – Signed card “Yours sincerely, Omar Bundy, Major General U.S.A.” Bundy famously led the 1st U.S. Division at the Battle of Cantigny, the first major American victory of World War I.

6. Patrick J. Hurley – Typed War Department card dated April 2, 1930, signed “Patrick J. Hurley” as Secretary of War under President Herbert Hoover. Hurley later served as U.S. Ambassador to China under FDR.

7. Major General Amos A. Fries – Signed card giving his Washington, D.C. address and identifying himself as “Major General, U.S. Army, World War.” Fries was the first Chief of the U.S. Chemical Warfare Service during WWI.

8. Brigadier General W. H. Hart – Typed letter signed on War Department letterhead, September 16, 1924, to Captain T. M. Hamilton, with biographical note affixed identifying Hart as Quartermaster General of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, 1917–1918.

9. Brigadier General C. C. Augur – Signature “C.C. Augur, Brigadier General U.S.A.” Augur was a veteran of the Mexican and Civil Wars, commanding troops in the defense of Washington and later in the Indian Wars.

10. Major General W. L. Kenly – Signature with rank and title “Major General, M.A., Director of Military Aeronautics.” Kenly was instrumental in organizing the U.S. Army’s air training and combat units during WWI.

Condition: Generally fine to very good, with light toning and expected folds; all signatures strong and well preserved.

An outstanding grouping illustrating the evolution of American military leadership from post–Civil War command to the dawn of the Air Corps era.

With One of a Kind Collectibles LOA