February 2015 Auction Ends Thursday, February 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/26/2015
Rene Gagnon WWII autograph letter four times signed as a Private First Class in the U.S. Marine Corps. Gagnon was one of the six soldiers pictured in ''Raising The Flag on Iwo Jima'', the iconic image of the turning point of the war and one of the most famous photographs of all time. From an undisclosed location in the ''Central Pacific'', he writes to his future wife Pauline Harnois. Dated 30 November 1944, letter (uncorrected for minor errors) reads in part, ''...Bert is still overseas after a year and a half. Its beyond me why they don't ship that jerk cousin of mine out and let some better guys get a chance to come back. As for myself I'm not complaining I've only been here about two months, and I know I've got a long time to go yet...You're still with me everywhere I go. That is your picture is anyways...in this Island Paradise if it doesn't rain, its so windy you wish the heck it was raining...Rene''. Accompanied by the censor-stamped mailing envelope made out in Gagnon's hand in ink, including his name and return address. 3pp. letter in ink on 3 sheets of ruled stationery measures 8'' x 10''. In addition to signing the closure of his letter, Gagnon writes ''R.A. Gagnon'' at the bottom edge of every sheet. Toning and creasing, else near fine.
Rene Gagnon Autograph Letter Signed 4 Times -- Less Than 3 Months Before Iwo Jima -- ''...in this Island Paradise if it doesn't rain, its so windy you wish the heck it was raining...''
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