Rare Autographs, Manuscripts and Aviation Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/27/2016
Extremely rare matte-finish 6.75 x 10.75 photo of Villa in full uniform, prominently signed in ink, “Francisco Villa.” Reverse bears a collector’s notation in pencil, “Given to Maj. Aultman by Villa—1915. They had met while then Maj. Aultman was at Fort Bliss, Texas.” In very good condition, with trimmed edges, clipped corner tips, a small repaired tear to top edge, and a fleck of surface loss to the left of the signature. Accompanied by a small framed vintage photograph of Aultman, several newspaper clippings, an oversized vintage photograph of the USS General Dwight E. Aultman, and a cardstock advertisement for the christening of the ship. This portrait shows Villa during the Mexican Revolution around the time he was making the autobiographical film The Life of General Villa with D. W. Griffith. The unusual film incorporated authentic footage from actual battles and staged scenes and starred Pancho Villa himself. Extremely rare in this format..
During the Spanish-American War, Aultman was a part of the Battle of San Juan Hill in 1898, as well as the Siege of Santiago in Cuba. From December 1898 to January 1899, he was aide to General Lloyd Wheaton and later General Joseph Warren Keifer. From 1901 to 1906 Aultman organized, commanded, and instructed the Cuban artillery.
From 1914-1915 he was on special mission to Germany. Aultman retired as an instructor and graduated from the Army War College in 1916. In 1917 he wrote a book entitled Military Strength and Resources of the United States. From October 1917 to May 1918, Aultman commanded the Fifth Field Artillery Brigade, First Infantry Division. On April 18, 1918 he was promoted to Brigadier general of the National Army and later commanded the 51st Field Artillery Brigade, 26th Division. He was appointed Chief of Artillery, Fifth Corps, in October 1918.On April 27, 1921, he was again promoted to Brigadier General
Rare! PANCHO VILLA SIGNED PHOTO & General Aultman Material
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