Details:

Paul Tibbets, Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk, and Tom Ferebee autographed “Enola Gay” 50th Anniversary Cover (1995), commemorating the B-29 Superfortress crew responsible for dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Tibbets, the pilot, adds the inscription “B-29 Enola Gay,” while Van Kirk (navigator) and Ferebee (bombardier) sign boldly beneath the 1995 Columbus, Ohio cancellation reading “First Day of Non Issue.” The reverse is additionally autographed by Gerry Newhouse, creator of the controversial commemorative stamp, and Ron Kaplan, the artist behind the design.

The cover features patriotic postage, the “Atomic Bombs End WWII” stamp. In 1994, the U.S. Postal Service planned to issue a 50th-anniversary stamp marking the end of World War II—featuring a mushroom cloud from the Hiroshima bombing—but abruptly canceled it amid public controversy. Outraged by the decision, Vietnam veteran Gerry Newhouse created his own decorative stamp to honor the event. After seeing a TV report about the controversy, aviation artist Ron Kaplan visited Newhouse and offered to refine the artwork. The result was a new design depicting a B-29 flying away from a mushroom cloud with the words “Atomic bombs end World War II.” Though the stamp held no postal value, it resonated deeply with veterans and sold widely in 1995 and 1996.

Fine condition.

Paul W. Tibbets (1915–2007) was the pilot of the Enola Gay, the aircraft that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk (1921–2014) served as navigator on the mission, and Tom Ferebee (1918–2000) was the bombardier responsible for releasing “Little Boy.” Together, they carried out one of the most consequential missions in military history.

Authentication:
Includes a full letter of authenticity from JG Autographs, Inc.

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Reference sku: 11667 1411770-1