Catalog Archive
Auction 185, Lot 494

NO RESERVE

"79th Armoured Division Formed Oct. 1942 Converted to Special Equipment Apr. 1943...", Anon.

Subject: Western Europe, World War II

Period: 1945 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Printed Color

Size:
22.8 x 6.4 inches
57.9 x 16.3 cm
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This World War II pictorial map chronicles the 79th Armoured Division, an armored division of the British Army that was created in the lead-up to the Normandy invasion and commanded by Major General Percy Hobart (1885-1957). The map stretches along the coast of Western Europe from Brest east to Dusseldorf and extends north across the English Channel to show the southern coast of England. Various battles are located with the badge of the division, including D-Day. The title cartouche includes information about some of the equipment used by the division, such as the so-called Crocodiles (a tank with a flamethrower), Kangaroos (an armored personal carrier with a self-propelled gun), and Buffaloes (a tracked amphibious landing vehicle). Beneath the cartouche are illustrations of British soldiers throughout history. A table at bottom right indicates the strength of the division before crossing the Rhine. Surrounded by a border that incorporates the insignia of other divisions of the British Army. Examples of this map were published in The Story of the 79th Armoured Division, a history of the unit published after the war in Hamburg. The exact author and publisher is unknown, although it is possible that Hobart himself commissioned the book. You can read more about the possible background of the book here. This example appears to be separately issued.

References:

Condition: B+

On a lightly toned sheet with dampstaining in the bottom margin that touches the lower border at a couple points.

Estimate: $80 - $100

Sold for: $55

Closed on 11/17/2021

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