Bonhams has announced that its World War II: The Pacific Theatre auction will be led by the sale of the original 1945 Iwo Jima monument.
 There were actually two flag raisings on Mount Suribachi, the second made the more famous by Rosenthal's photograph |
The sale will focus on events in the Pacific Ocean during the second world war, with the Iwo Jima monument expected to sell for $1.2m-1.8m. The example at auction is the original cast stone version, which was housed in New York's Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum until 2007.
The best known incarnation of the monument is the 1954 Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, although another example, unveiled on Washington DC's Constitution Avenue in November 1945 is also well-known.
The monument, created by Felix de Weldon, was inspired by Joe Rosenthal's iconic, Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of troops raising the US flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima - a major operation against Japan that lasted for 35 days.
The photograph, which has been widely reproduced, actually shows the second flag-raising on the mountain, both of which took place on the fifth day.
Also featuring in the sale will be the original maquettes for the monuments, which are estimated at $20,000-30,000, as well as Joe Rosenthal's personal photograph album, which is expected to bring $10,000-15,000.
Bonhams' Tony Lamb commented: "We only have a few more years to learn first-hand from our WWII veterans, so the timing of the auction is important to collectors."
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a photograph of the Iwo Jima flag-raising, which has been signed by Charles W Lindberg, who was, until his death in 2007, the last undisputed surviving soldier to be present at both flag raisings. We also have a Harry Truman signed proclamation that was presented to his cousin the day after the German surrender during the second world war.
