American Historical Ephemera & Photography Online

Autograph on Portuguese bank note obtained by WWII Veteran Frank Newell during Eisenhower's return flight to the US in 1941.

5 3/8 x 3 in. printed "vinte escudos" Portuguese bank note signed by General Dwight D. Eisenhower ("Dwight D. Eisenhower") (expected folds in note, some toning). Accompanied by envelope dated 30 March 2012, inscribed by World War II Veteran Frank Newell, #35703813, in which he documents the history of the "short snorter" autograph given to him by General Eisenhower while at Santa Maria Air Base in the Azores, where he was assigned as a Flight Traffic Clerk air crew member of the North Atlantic Division of the Army Air Corps, Air Transport Command. 

Newell writes, "General was returning to US on final trip after war was over in Europe. He was alone in lobby of terminal (terminal was empty except for Gen. and I). Two G.I.'s had gotten his autograph and left as I come up. General graciously gave me his autograph also, and was not aloof or hard at all to approach. I assume he had a lot on his mind on returning to US after his stint in big war!!"

Eisenhower signed his full name for Frank Newell on the 1941 Portuguese bank note, which he proudly displayed in a makeshift wooden showcase backed by a wartime family "Honor Roll" presented by the bakers of the Honey-Krust Bread Company. 

[With:] 6 3/8 x 3 5/8 in. printed "100" bank note from Asia (creasing, edge and corner wear including short tears). 

Provenance: Acquired from Frank Newell's son at an antique market in Urbana, Ohio (note from Newell's son enclosed).