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LOT 3353
Grouping of Aviation Wings, Pins and Insignia, Chiefly Related to the
China-Burma-India Theater, Including Rare Flying Tiger/American
Volunteer Group Items - Established in 1941, the First American
Volunteer Group (AVG, aka the Flying Tigers) were primarily American
aviators and ground crew who voluntarily accepted discharge from their
home organization to go fight alongside the Chinese forces resisting
Japanese invasion. While typically outnumbered by the opposition and
lacking in high end material support, the AVG delivered a very strong
performance, scoring over 220 air to air kills and producing many aces,
some double aces, and one triple ace. The AVG would be replaced with
the USAAF 23rd Fighter Group, with the members of the Group going
their separate ways, some rejoining the American military (including
commander Claire Chennault and George “Pappy” Boyington of Black
Sheep Squadron fame), and others returning to civilian life. The grouping
includes a 3 1/2 inch silk embroidered AVG patch, three pins for the 23rd
Fighter Group, a “two star wing” pin with attached note attributing the
pin as given by Chennault to a “Joe Robert” (possibly Joe Rosbert, known
member of the AVG and author of “Flying Tiger Joe’s Adventure Story
Cookbook), 10th Air Force and Flying Tiger blue and gold enamel pins on
N.S. Meyer cardboard backings, an early AVG “double eagle” pin, two pins
for the 51st Fighter Group (active in both India and China defending the
“Hump” air route), embroidered flight instructor patch, Chinese Air Force
interpreter patch, two Nationalist Chinese aviator wings, 389th Bomb
Group pin, two unidentified pins, two CBI General Staff Headquarters pins,
Chinese Nationalist Air Force “CNAC” wings, “BURMA-CHINA” wings, and a
bracelet made with a reshaped set of U.S. pilot wings as the centerpiece
and the chain links enameled flags for the Soviet Union, USA, Great Britain
and Nationalist China.
CONDITION: Very good overall, with mild wear and handling marks.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000