Bidspirit auction | VICHY FRANCE DESK PAD, GIVEN

VICHY FRANCE DESK PAD, GIVEN TO FRENCH MAYORS BY MARSHAL PETAIN - FROM THE ESTATE OF GEN. CLARENCE R. HUEBNER, COMMANDER OF THE 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE FIRST WAVE AT OMAHA BEACH Ornate desk blotter and stationery, 15 x 11.25 in., offered to the mayors of France by Marshal Petain upon the establishment of Vichy France. The blotter bears red embossed cardboard covers with gilded edges, while the center is adorned with the insignia of the Francisque, Petain's personal symbol and the coat of arms of the Vichy regime. The midnight blue interior bears the gilded quote from Marshal Petain, reading 'There is no society without friendship, without trust, without dedication', above a writing pad for stationery attached at the time. Some wear and bumps to the covers, one tear at the front cover, else very good. WITH: Two sets of 16 pieces of stationary, each 8.5 x 6.5 in., bearing printed nationalistic quotes by Petain at top. Very good. WITH: Petain's professional business card, bearing the printed name and title: 'Le Marechal Petain...Chef de l'Etat'. Some staining at left, else very good. These pieces were uniquely owned by CLARENCE R. HUEBNER (1888 - 1972), the American general who took command of the 1st Infantry Division, popularly known as the 'Big Red One', in early August of 1943. He commanded the division during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, where it was the first force to face the Germans on Omaha Beach, and he joined his men on the beach the same day. The division was instrumental in the breakthrough following the battle for St. Lo and in foiling the German counteroffensive at Mortain. This lot originates from a direct linear descendant, and will be accompanied by our letter of provenance.