Spring 2023 Militaria & Collectibles Auction
Lot 205:
Description
Original signed centerpiece from USAF Maj. Gen. Charles Bond at the American Volunteer Group) AVG 1996 Reunion. In 1941, as a young lieutenant, General Bond resigned his commission in the US Army Air Corps and joined Gen. Claire Chennault’s American Volunteer Group (AVG), the Flying Tigers, in China, where he was assigned the duties of vice squadron leader of 1st Squadron. As an AVG pilot Bond was credited with downing 9.5 Japanese aircrafts and was himself shot down twice. General Bond was host of the 1996 AVG annual reunion in Dallas, and in early 1997 he gave the consignor this autographed centerpiece from the 1996 reunion banquet. The centerpiece has been covered in storage since 1997 and has never been exhibited. It is in original condition with the exception of the tigers wing feathers, which are dyed bird feathers that were slightly damaged by handling before the item was put in storage and have deteriorated further naturally with age. The base is a solid hardwood block measuring 7 x 14 inches at the bottom and 2 3/4 inches thick, with felt pads on the bottom corners. The top of the base has been lightly polished, but the sides, which are inscribed in felt-tip pen by seventeen members of the Flying Tigers in attendance at the banquet, have not been touched. The brass plate, measuring 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches, is engraved: A.V.G., Flying Tigers, (FEI-HU), 1996 REUNION.The centerpiece is an interpretation of the theme of the AVGs emblem of a blue-winged tiger leaping from within a blue V for victory. The tiger is made of cast resin and is in original condition with one hole drilled vertically through the body for the support dowel and two holes in the shoulders to hold blue-dyed bird feathers as wings. The blue V is painted softwood. The tiger and the blue V slip onto the support dowel–they are not glued in–and may be removed for shipment. The feathers also are not glued in and may be replaced with new ones for display. There is a slight loss of paint on the blue V where the tiger’s left rear leg has contacted it. The front and sides of the centerpiece have been autographed in felt-tip pen by seventeen members of the original AVG Flying Tigers, including eight pilots: Chuck Older [pilot], John Young, Rich Richardson, George Bailey, Bob Layher [pilot], Dick Rossi [pilot], Frank Losonsky, “Tex” Hill [pilot], Ed Fobes, Erik Shilling [pilot], Charlie Bond [pilot], Frank Anderson, Charlie Mott [pilot; signed twice], Joe Poshefko, “Red” Foster Petach, Chuck Baisden, Catfish Raine [pilot]. An excellent addition to an AVG or Army Air Force collection or display.
Condition: See description for condition report.
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