Details:

Paul Tibbets and Charles Sweeney autographed pair of commemorative “Atomic Bombs End WWII” stamp sheets. One sheet is signed by both Tibbets and Sweeney, the pilots of the historic Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombing missions. The second sheet is signed by Gerry Newhouse and aviation artist Ron Kaplan, the creators of the controversial commemorative stamp design. The colorful sheets feature multiple examples of the “Atomic bombs end WWII” stamp depicting a B-29 bomber flying away from a mushroom cloud above the wording “Atomic bombs end WWII.” Accompanied by extensive printed text detailing the history behind the issue and its cancellation.

In 1994, the U.S. Postal Service announced plans to issue a stamp commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the end of World War II featuring imagery associated with the atomic bombings of Japan. Following public controversy and objections from Japanese officials and others, the planned stamp was canceled before release. In response, Vietnam veteran Gerry Newhouse created a private commemorative label honoring what he viewed as the decisive event that ended the war and saved countless lives. Aviation artist Ron Kaplan subsequently collaborated with Newhouse to refine the design, resulting in the iconic image of a B-29 departing from a mushroom cloud accompanied by the phrase “Atomic bombs end WWII.” Though never an official postage stamp, the design became widely popular among veterans and World War II enthusiasts during the mid-1990s.

Fine condition.

Paul W. Tibbets (1915–2007) commanded the B-29 Enola Gay during the Hiroshima mission of August 6, 1945, while Charles W. Sweeney (1919–2004) piloted the B-29 Bockscar on the Nagasaki mission of August 9, 1945.

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

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Reference sku: 11667 1416107-1