7th Dec, 2022 10:30 GMT/BST

Militaria & Ethnographica

 
  Lot 84
 

84

Operation Frankton - Bill Sparks one of the Original Cockleshell Heroes, a signed typed letter dated 1978, in which he describes the raid which "took place in December 1942 on the harbour of Bordeaux, in which there were six enemy blockade runners moored, and all six were put out of action. Ten Marines in five two-man canoes were disembarked from the submarine Tuna in the Bay of Biscay, to paddle up the Gironde to Bordeaux, a journey which took us five nights of travel, hiding by day......" There were only two survivors - Colonel Hasler and Bill Sparks; David Stirling - Founder and Creator of the Special Air Service (SAS), an inscribed and signed typed letter dated 1976, relating to the signing of two First Day Covers (2)

Sold for £420
Estimated at £150 - £200


 


These letters are in excellent condition with no tears or stains. The David Stirling letter has been folded twice to fit into an envelope and the two sheets of paper of the Bill Sparks letter have each been folded once, again to fit into an envelope. The fold lines have no damage.


 

 


We are happy to provide Condition Reports to prospective buyers, but would welcome your request as soon as possible, preferably at least 48 hours before the Day of Sale. We cannot guarantee a reply to any requests made within 48 hours of the start of the auction. The absence of a Condition Report from a lot does not mean that the lot is in perfect condition. A Condition Report is an honest expression of our opinion, not a statement of fact and is provided as a service to the seller. All lots are available on public view ahead of an auction and we encourage prospective buyers to inspect an item in person where possible. Our Condition Reports are not prepared by professional conservators, restorers, or engineers, and are prepared with the naked eye unless otherwise stated.

Regarding Pictures, Prints and Works on Paper, works are not examined out of the frame, unless specifically stated. Tennants Auctioneers do not cover damage to gilded wood or plaster picture frames, or to picture frame glass whilst the item is in our possession.

We accept no liability for the opinions expressed in any Condition Report.

Auction: Militaria & Ethnographica, 7th Dec, 2022

Militaria and Ethnographica Sales encompass items across diverse areas of collecting, from European and Eastern armour to 18th and 19th century firearms, military uniforms and documents, edged weapons, World War I and World War II ephemera, masonic regalia and medals.
Also included are a vast range of objects created in the early 20th century or earlier by indigenous cultures around the world, from early American civilisations to African tribes and Polynesian island cultures, incorporating religious idols, domestic and ritual objects, figurative sculpture, jewellery and weapons of all descriptions.

 

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Tuesday 6 December 10am-5pm and morning of sale from 8am

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