August 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, August 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/28/2014
Rene Gagnon WWII autograph letter three-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. Gagnon writes to his sweetheart and future wife Pauline Harnois from an undisclosed location in the ''Central Pacific'' on 16 November 1944, just three months before he hoisted the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi. Letter reads (uncorrected for minor errors), ''Dearest Darling, Well I can't think of much to write about, but I'll write to let you know I'm thinking of you. I've received quite a lot of your letters and I'm certainly glad to get them. I'm sorry I don't write more often, but please dont worry, I'm allright and I still love you. It's just that there's not much to write about and not much time. You can make the sweater green it will be allright. I didn't get the packages yet but I'm sure they'll get here allright. They have to come over by ship and I guess that takes longer. We were out in the field most of the week and boy was it dirty. And to top it off it rained one night, and the next morning the foxhole was muddy. Boy what a life! The mill would be heaven compared to this. You said you know why we had so many misunderstandings; Well I hope so and I hope you've got it fixed up so there wont be any more. Well I'll have to close now. I'll write tomorrow. That's a promise. Love as Ever, Rene''. In addition to signing the closure of his letter, Gagnon writes ''R.A. Gagnon'' at the bottom edge of both sheets. Accompanied by the censor-stamped mailing envelope made out in Gagnon's hand in ink, including his name and return address for a total of four Gagnon signatures in the lot. 2pp. letter in ink on 2 sheets of ruled stationery measures 8'' x 10''. Toning and creasing, else near fine.
Rene Gagnon Autograph Letter, Three-Times Signed -- 3 Months Before Iwo Jima -- ''...in the field most of the week...boy was it dirty...the foxhole was muddy. Boy what a life!...''
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