Auction 83 "No Surrender to Coronavirus" Militaria Autograph Auction
Jun 9, 2020
98 Bohemia Ave., St. 2, Chesapeake City, MD 21915, United States
A "No Surrender to Coronavirus" auction of some of the most important surrender documents of World War II ever seen, with a major share of the proceeds dedicated to four international Coronavirus charities. Included is a historic document that directly led to the surrender of Nazi Germany, and whose "mate" resides in the National Archives. The sale also offers the British order to surrender Hong Kong, the Japanese surrender of Hong Kong, the British surrender of Java, historic German surrender documents, and much more.
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LOT 36:

PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN SIGNED PROCLAMATION OF A �DAY OF PRAYER� UPON THE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER OF GERMANY

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Start price:
$ 3,500
Estimated price :
$7,000 - $9,000
Buyer's Premium: 30% More details
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PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN SIGNED PROCLAMATION OF A �DAY OF PRAYER� UPON THE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER OF GERMANY
PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN SIGNED PROCLAMATION OF A "DAY OF PRAYER" UPON THE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER OF GERMANY
One of the most evocative documents to emanate from World War II, a proclamation signed by President Harry Truman calling for a day of prayer and thanks upon the unconditional surrender of Germany and further urging the nation to vigorously continue the fight against the Japanese. This lithograph on woven paper measures 11.25 x 17.25 inches, with Gothic type largely printed in black with some gold, red and blue, dated the day of the surrender, May 8, 1945, and hand-signed by Truman at the conclusion. The text of Truman's May 13, 1945 proclamation reads, in part: "The Allied armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with God's help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional surrender. The western world has been freed of the evil forces which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and broken the lives of millions upon millions of free-born men. They have violated their churches, destroyed their homes, corrupted their children, and murdered their loved ones. Our Armies of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering peoples, whose spirit and will the oppressors could never enslave. Much remains to be done. The victory won in the West must now be won in the East. The whole world must be cleansed of the evil from which half the world has been freed�The power of our peoples to defend themselves against all enemies will be proved in the Pacific was as it has been proved in Europe�it is fitting that we, as a nation, give thanks to Almighty God, Who has strengthened us and given us the victory. Now, therefore, I, Harry S. Truman, President of the United States of America, do hereby appoint Sunday, May 13, 1945 to be a day of prayer. I call upon the people of the United States, whatever their faith, to unite in offering joyful thanks to God for the victory we have won and to pray that He will support us to the end of our present struggle and guide us into the ways of peace. I also call upon my countrymen to dedicate this day of prayer to the memory of those who have given their lives to make possible our victory�." Truman read this proclamation at a news conference at the White House on May 8, 1945. Before reading it, he declared: "This is a solemn but glorious hour. General Eisenhower informs me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to the united nations. The flags of freedom fly all over Europe. It's celebrating my birthday, too -- today, too." These signed proclamations were given by Truman as Christmas presents at the end of the year, and are believed to be limited to only 100 copies. Most such copies bear lightened signatures � this example is much darker than often seen. Fine. Photo for illustrative purposes only and not included.

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