The John Bannister Collection - D-Day and Militaria
Lot 2216:
Description
USS New Orleans CA-32 WWII Archive
This is an exceptional piece of WWII naval history: the personal archive of Ernest G. Powell, a serviceman aboard the heavy cruiser USS New Orleans (CA-32), a ship that earned a remarkable 17 battle stars in the Pacific. The collection includes a binder containing approximately 67 original black-and-white photographs and newspaper clippings, documenting the life and service of Powell. Images feature Powell’s hand-tinted sailor portrait wearing a traditional lei , along with crew photos and life aboard the ship. Also includes copies of publication, "The Spindrift, " a U.S. Navy Pre-Flight School newsletter [Vols I, No 50 and Vols II Nos 2,3,6,8,9]. The newspaper clippings feature the "Miracle Ship" moniker often associated with New Orleans due to her survival after the Battle of Tassafaronga, where she lost 150 feet of her bow to a torpedo, yet made it to port under her own power. Condition-wise, the photographs and paper ephemera show typical age-related wear, including yellowing, fading, creases, and small tears, particularly on the edges of the hand-tinted portrait and the loose "Spindrift" copies. The album’s binder is a standard three-ring type, showing wear consistent with a mid-20th-century photo album. Several documents related to the USS New Orleans Reunion Association also included. The Pelican, Vol 63 dated February 1993. This personal archive is a fascinating look into the service of a sailor on one of the most decorated ships of the war. Please see photos. Binder Dimensions: 10”x12”x2”
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