(MILITARY.) Papers of a long-term member of the famous Harlem Hellfighters. 174 items (1 linear foot) in one box; various conditions, some items worn. Vp, 1933-85 and undated
Alvin Alverston Martin (1910-2000) was born in Costa Rica to Jamaican parents, and came to New York in 1922. In 1932, he enlisted in the 369th Coast Artillery Regiment of the New York National Guard. The regiment had been known in World War One as the famous Harlem Hellfighters. When World War Two began, the 369th was activated as an infantry regiment in the United States Army. This lot includes several impressive photographs of the regiment: a 34-inch panoramic scroll in formation at ... Alvin Alverston Martin (1910-2000) was born in Costa Rica to Jamaican parents, and came to New York in 1922. In 1932, he enlisted in the 369th Coast Artillery Regiment of the New York National Guard. The regiment had been known in World War One as the famous Harlem Hellfighters. When World War Two began, the 369th was activated as an infantry regiment in the United States Army. This lot includes several impressive photographs of the regiment: a 34-inch panoramic scroll in formation at Camp Smith, NY led by their famous colonel Benjamin O. Davis (soon to become the army's first African-American general), 1940 A group shot of the regiment's rifle and pistol team after winning a brigade championship, captioned with the names of each soldier including Martin, 1938 A 10 x 7-inch portrait of Martin in uniform, laminated and mounted on a wooden plaque 9 Real Photo postcards of the regiment, many of them with manuscript identifications, 1933-37 and 56 other photographs of various sizes, almost all of them relating to Martin's military service. Also included is a scrapbook containing a 1980 program for a 369th commemorative event, along with 58 color snapshots of related parades and picnics from the same era. Martin's official documents include his well-worn enlistment, commission and discharge papers as a sergeant with the 369th Infantry from 1935-36; his naturalization certificate from 1942 (with detached photograph); his Army discharge certificate; his pension certificate from 1947; and his 1975 Costa Rica naturalization certificate (like many Afro-Costa Ricans, his family had been denied full citizenship there until 1949). Also included are 8 programs and newsletters of the 369th Veterans Association, 1958-85; and a worn copy of the sheet music to the 369th Cadet March, 1924. Also included are 26 medals and badges (many naming the 369th), and a small white-on-blue well-preserved company flag reading "369 F" around crossed rifles, 19 x 25 inches plus fringe.
(MILITARY.) Papers of a long-term member of the famous Harlem Hellfighters. 174 items (1 linear foot) in one box; various conditions, some items worn. Vp, 1933-85 and undated
Alvin Alverston Martin (1910-2000) was born in Costa Rica to Jamaican parents, and came to New York in 1922. In 1932, he enlisted in the 369th Coast Artillery Regiment of the New York National Guard. The regiment had been known in World War One as the famous Harlem Hellfighters. When World War Two began, the 369th was activated as an infantry regiment in the United States Army. This lot includes several impressive photographs of the regiment: a 34-inch panoramic scroll in formation at ... Alvin Alverston Martin (1910-2000) was born in Costa Rica to Jamaican parents, and came to New York in 1922. In 1932, he enlisted in the 369th Coast Artillery Regiment of the New York National Guard. The regiment had been known in World War One as the famous Harlem Hellfighters. When World War Two began, the 369th was activated as an infantry regiment in the United States Army. This lot includes several impressive photographs of the regiment: a 34-inch panoramic scroll in formation at Camp Smith, NY led by their famous colonel Benjamin O. Davis (soon to become the army's first African-American general), 1940 A group shot of the regiment's rifle and pistol team after winning a brigade championship, captioned with the names of each soldier including Martin, 1938 A 10 x 7-inch portrait of Martin in uniform, laminated and mounted on a wooden plaque 9 Real Photo postcards of the regiment, many of them with manuscript identifications, 1933-37 and 56 other photographs of various sizes, almost all of them relating to Martin's military service. Also included is a scrapbook containing a 1980 program for a 369th commemorative event, along with 58 color snapshots of related parades and picnics from the same era. Martin's official documents include his well-worn enlistment, commission and discharge papers as a sergeant with the 369th Infantry from 1935-36; his naturalization certificate from 1942 (with detached photograph); his Army discharge certificate; his pension certificate from 1947; and his 1975 Costa Rica naturalization certificate (like many Afro-Costa Ricans, his family had been denied full citizenship there until 1949). Also included are 8 programs and newsletters of the 369th Veterans Association, 1958-85; and a worn copy of the sheet music to the 369th Cadet March, 1924. Also included are 26 medals and badges (many naming the 369th), and a small white-on-blue well-preserved company flag reading "369 F" around crossed rifles, 19 x 25 inches plus fringe.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
