Antiques, Curios, Collectables. Tin toys, Musical instruments, Ephemera, Bronze
Lot 162:
Description
A collection of autographed black and white photographs, typed and handwritten letters, and official military documents formerly belonging to Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Richard Douro. The archive chronicles Douro’s service with the British Army at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) during the early 1950s and his later professional career as a literary journalist for The Yorkshire Post in Leeds.
The military archive features multiple items related to Dwight D. Eisenhower, including a large-format signed photograph of Eisenhower at his desk, inscribed to Douro and dated SHAPE-1952. Two signed letters from Eisenhower are included: one on The White House stationery dated 19 December 1955 and another on DDE personal stationery from Walter Reed Hospital dated 2 December 1968. The collection further contains a signed portrait of Field Marshal Montgomery of Alamein and his signature on group photographs of senior SHAPE officers. Additional military signatures are present from General Alfred M. Gruenther (SACEUR), General C.V.R. Schuyler (Chief of Staff at SHAPE), Brigadier General Robert J. Wood, and Major General Willis S. Matthews.
The correspondence section includes a letter from Buckingham Palace signed by Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Bonham-Carter regarding a royal visit, and political letters from Douglas Hurd, Denis Healey, and Edward Heath. A handwritten letter from the diplomat Sir Ronald Storrs is also present. Official ephemera includes NATO/SHAPE caption sheets dated March and October 1956 identifying personnel within the accompanying photographs. Douro’s later career is represented by correspondence on English-Speaking Union and Commonwealth Press Union stationery, along with invitations from international embassies.
Condition report:
The collection is in generally very good condition for its age. Most photographs and letters are preserved within plastic protective sleeves. Observable physical characteristics include minor edge wear, light creasing, and typical age-toning to the paper ephemera. The ink signatures across the archive remain clear and bold.
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