?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000
JAPANESE COMMANDER OF DESTROYER THAT SANK JFK'S PT-109 (KENNEDY, JOHN F.) YAMASHIRO, KATSUMORI. Archive of 100 items Signed, or Signed and Inscribed, "K. Yamashiro" or "Capt. Katsumori Yamashiro," to his American pen pal Louis Newman, in English, including 58 ALsS, two ANsS on postcards, 11 PsS, 22 covers signed, an AMS, a book Signed and Inscribed, and 5 greeting cards Signed. Many items with holograph diagram depicting the collision of the Amagiri and JFK's PT-109 on August 2, 1943. The letters, many on topics relating to the collision, includes holograph transcriptions and photocopies of letters to him from White House, drafts of his statement correcting misinformation about the collision, and some concerning stamp or coin collecting. Together 90 pages, 4to or 8vo, most on onionskin paper, some on aerogram paper. Most with the original envelope. The postcards, sending thanks. Each 1 page, oblong 12mo. The photographs, each a nearly-identical copy print of an early bust portrait showing Yamashiro in uniform. Signed in the image at lower center. Each 4 1/2x3 1/4 inches. The covers, most with cachet relating to JFK, many postmarked in 1964-65 on the anniversary of JFK's birth. Each oblong 12mo. The manuscript, 25-line holograph statement entitled, "The True Story of Pres. John F. Kennedy's PT109 Collision," with holograph diagram. 1 page, 4to, onionskin paper. The book, Robert J. Donovan's PT 109. Japanese edition. Includes 25-line holograph statement and diagrams on front free endpaper and pages 2, 8, and 10-11. 8vo, wrappers. [Tokyo]: Japan Institute of Foreign Affairs, 1963. The greeting cards, each 8vo or smaller. Vp, 1968-80
13 April 1970: ". . . In Japan, [Amagiri Lieutenant Commander Kohei] Hanami don't refuse to my opinion, he said to one of petty-officer who was at the bridge that he was regretful. First, he announced the lie as if he intend bravely ramming attack hiding my exist on the bridge. A skipper cannot order without order or permit of a commander of destroyer-flotilla aside him." 9 September 1971: ". . . [M]y friend who will translate the story died at the end of July. My story and his obituary crossed. However it may be, I will write the story as soon as receipt a book . . . ." 6 October 1971: ". . . I knew several dreadful conditions in manoeuvres. If collisioned, explode of torpedos on board a PT, our boat should suffer large damage. So I . . . avoid a collision. . . . ". . . I unexpectedly knew his elect to a senator . . . in Japanese newspaper. I sent a letter to bless him. I received several letters from Mrs. Lincoln of Kennedy's secretary. . . ." 25 July 1972: "Today I received a copy of PT109. So I am drawing a map to it. . . . ". . . I shall send a copy of PT109 after get your answer of my question . . . What shall I write the true story on top of picture in the light portion? . . ." 23 August 1972: ". . . I must heartily thanks to your sincerity to correct the lie, following my truth. "Carry my thoughts back to that place, if the skipper didn't mistake, as it is 30 k[nots] high speed, I can't avoid the collide with the PT109, I think. It is hard to clear [Diagram of two boats and possible collision routes]." 2 December 1972: ". . . I . . . succeed in exchange of letters to Mr. Kawaguchi who was the next seat petty officer at lookout, left side large binocular position near to me at the bridge on board the Amagiri and first discoverer of the PT109. ". . . His letter said the scene of that time was all same with the commander's letters. He added 'I wonder of my well knowing.' "My truth is fact but it take courage." 3 January 1973: ". . . I reported a accident to the commander-in-chief etc as a collision by wireless. The direct chief, the commander of 3rd torpedo squadron, rear admiral Ijuin said to me, 'The Commander! Why didn't report as crushing underfoot PT, with smile?' You can understand that was Hanami's lie to boast to Mr. Kennedy and so on. "Also, Mr. Donovan was no good. I said to him I was on board the Amagiri and all commanded actually, Hanami said lie at the postwar. But Mr. Donovan tried me as if a observer. . . ." 18 March 1973: ". . . In the Mr. Donovan's version of PT 109, Capt. Hara was falled down to the skipper of the destroyer 'Sigure' and Lt. Cmdr. though he was the Commander of the 27th Destroyer Flotilla in Capt. on board her. "Afterward he was the Capt of the cruiser 'Yahagi' which was the 2nd Torpedo Squadron at the special attack of the 2nd fleet. . . ." 14 May 1973: ". . . First, the Amagiri ram[m]ed to the starboard of the PT 109. Next, about 8 seconds after, by the kick of the Amagiri, her starboard propeller blades was hurt with the fore hull of the PT 109 which cut in two. . . ."
