Bidspirit auction | MACARTHUR DOUGLAS: (1880-1964)

MACARTHUR DOUGLAS: (1880-1964) - MACARTHUR DOUGLAS: (1880-1964) American General who played a prominent role in the Pacific during World War II. A good vintage signed 11 x 14 photograph of MacArthur in a commanding head and shoulders pose wearing his uniform and trademark Philippine Army Field Marshal’s cap. Photograph by Harris & Ewing of Washington D.C. (uncredited). Signed by MacArthur in bold blue fountain pen ink with his name alone to a lighter area at the base of the image. One small, minor tear to the lower edge and a couple of very minor corner creases, otherwise VG MacArthur's distinctive gold-braided peaked cap became one of the most instantly recognisable elements of his public image. Its origins lay in his appointment as Field Marshal of the Philippine Army in 1936, a unique rank conferred upon him by the Commonwealth government while he was serving as military adviser to President Manuel L. Quezon. The specially styled cap, with its conspicuous gold embroidery, reflected this Philippine rank rather than MacArthur's contemporary status in the United States Army. He continued to favour the flamboyant headgear during World War II and afterwards, and, together with his corncob pipe and aviator sunglasses, it became an enduring visual trademark of the general—particularly associated with his celebrated return to the Philippines in October 1944. MacArthur later attained the American five-star rank of General of the Army on 18th December 1944.