Lot 1461

CHARLES DE GAULLE

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CHARLES DE GAULLE

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Starting Bid: $400

(0 Bids)

by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
July 31, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
106 East Main Street, Suite 103
Elkton, MD, US 21921

CHARLES DE GAULLE
(1890 - 1970), General Charles de Gaulle, commander of the Free French forces during World War II, and later president of France. IN 1942, DE GAULLE APPOINTS BRITISH ADM. JOHN CUNNINGHAM LEGIONNAIRE FIRST CLASS superb content and association war-date T.L.S. with holograph postscript on his personal letterhead, 2pp. 4to., London, Apr. 13, 1942 to Vice Admiral Sir JOHN CUNNINGHAM (1885-1962). Cunningham, who would become Admiral of the Fleet, saw action as Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet during the World War II with responsibility for the Allied landings at Anzio and Operation Dragoon, the landings in the south of France. DeGaulle opens his letter with the holograph 'Cher Amiral' and closes with his handwritten 'I beg you to believe, dear Admiral, in my very distinguished and faithfully awarded sentiments.' De Gaulle writes his comrade announcing the latter's promotion to the French Foreign Legion rank of Legionnaire 1st Class, praising the man throughout. In full: 'Dear Admiral, I am happy to convey to you the order by which Colonel Monclar appoints you Legionnaire de lere Classe [Legionnaire of 1st Class] in our Foreign Legion. I wholeheartedly subscribe to this gesture which will have the support of all legionaries. Associated with Legion combat in Norway and in Africa, you have shown that the chivalrous spirit which inspired you could make out of one of the eminent Chiefs of the British Navy a solder in whom the legionaries will be proud to recognize themselves. I add that I myself will never forget my own comrade in arms, Admiral Cunningham, who fought with the most painful circumstances possible, for the liberation of France. I beg you to believe, dear Admiral, in my very distinguished and faithfully awarded sentiments. C. de Gaulle'. Cunningham had been assigned to evacuate Allied troops from Norway after its invasion by the Nazis. Shortly thereafter, Cunningham had been ordered to evacuate King Haakon VII and his cabinet to the United Kingdom aboard the Mediterranean Fleet flagship "H.M.S. Devonshire" in June 1940. A few months later, in September 1940, Cunningham had participated in Operation Menace, which had unsuccessfully attempted to take control of Vichy-occupied Dakar in French West Africa (present day Senegal). 'Colonel Monclar' was the nom de guerre of Foreign Legion commander Raoul Magrin-Vernerey (1892-1964) who successfully led his Legionnaires at Narvik and exercised various commands in the Levant. Fine condition, with a full translation.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000