Unit book questions

[Del Panfini]

Has anyone ever come across the 82nd airborne company unit book? I saw one years ago but it was not for sale. It was at a show on display with some other items. It had a maroon cover with the 82nd insignia embossed with a rifle bayonetted and a WWI type helmet from what I recall. Another one I believe was called the Blue Devils, it was for a WWII para regiment, possibly 506 or 508, harcover book, blue. Anyone ever see these for sale and if so around how much for them? Thanks, DEL

[SteveR]

Hello;
I have an original 508th unit history with the brown paper dust cover printed just after WWII cover color maroon.
I have no idea what it might be worth.
Steve

Has anyone ever come across the 82nd airborne company unit book? I saw one years ago but it was not for sale. It was at a show on display with some other items. It had a maroon cover with the 82nd insignia embossed with a rifle bayonetted and a WWI type helmet from what I recall. Another one I believe was called the Blue Devils, it was for a WWII para regiment, possibly 506 or 508, harcover book, blue. Anyone ever see these for sale and if so around how much for them? Thanks, DEL

[SteveR]

Inside cover and 1st page

Hello;
I have an original 508th unit history with the brown paper dust cover printed just after WWII cover color maroon.
I have no idea what it might be worth.
Steve

[SteveR]

Book Introduction.

Inside cover and 1st page

[blinky]

Are you thinking of the division history? I have a copy of it, Saga of the All American, with a maroon cover, the 82nd insignia in the upper right corner and crossed M1903 and M-1 rifles with WWI and WWII type helmets hanging from the bayonets of each. I'll post pictures of it later today.
As for value, I have no idea. Mine is interesting because it has a dedication by General Gavin along with his autograph.

eric

[craig_pickrall]

Most of the Airborne unit histories were reprinted in the 80's by Battery Press. Because of this they should not be to hard to find if you just want them for reference. If you want originals then you better confirm that they are not reprints.

[Garth Thompson]

The last original printing, first edition, 82nd A/B division unit history I saw for sale had an asking price of $200.

Garth

[VerKuilen Ager]

Condition makes a lot of difference on these. Low end copies can be had in the $75-$85 range. Decent copies kick in around $100-$125. The 82nd Div. can climb a bit above the $200 mark, depending on who's doing the asking. The 508th, while it should be scarcer, tends to start topping out under $200

[SteveR]

Thanks Bubba. You are a good man.
Steve

Condition makes a lot of difference on these. Low end copies can be had in the $75-$85 range. Decent copies kick in around $100-$125. The 82nd Div. can climb a bit above the $200 mark, depending on who's doing the asking. The 508th, while it should be scarcer, tends to start topping out under $200

[blinky]

And and 82nd Division history signed by General Gavin?

eric

[Allan H.]

Steve- I've never seen the dust jacket for the 508th history and wasn't even aware that it had one. I should have known better as the other histories that I have do have dust jackets.
The 82nd Division history is a large book and the binding takes a beating after only a few openings. I have run into a number of these with the vet's name embossed in gold in the lower, left corner of the cover. The dust jacket is a vibrant red white and blue.
Well used copies of the 82nd history will bring $100 with no troubles. A minty example with a dust jacket will approach $400.
Of the 82nd Histories, the 508th history is by far the most common. It is also just about the best unit history I have ever encountered. The 504th PIR also had a unit history. It is odd that the 505th, who saw a ton of action from Sicily to germany didn't put a unit history out at the end of the war.
As for the devils reference- the 508th had a lot of Hispanic troopers in it and as a result, the unit took the nickname "Diablos," Spanish for Devils. The 504th PIR on the other hand, was the unit that Ross Carter served in. He wrote "Those Devils in Baggy Pants" as the Germans referred to them as devils too.
Allan

[Del Panfini]

Unit book questions

Yes, the one that I saw with the maroon cover, had the crossed 0383 with M1 rifle and WW1 and WW2 helmets. The other one I saw was the one that was just previously mentioned, those devils in baggy pants 504 regiment. If I am not mistaken, I believe it was autographed but I am not sure of the officer's name. Could it have been Tucker? DId you ever see this book for sale? If so, what was the price? Thanks, DEL

[Allan H.]

And and 82nd Division history signed by General Gavin?

eric

Eric,
I too have one with an inscription from Jim Gavin. I wouldn't take $500 for it, but that's me. You'll have to assign your own value. One of my autograph friends estimated gavin's signature as being worth $75 to $100, so there you go.
Allan

[Del Panfini]

Unit book questions

Allan, what about the book, those devils in baggy pants? Did you ever see one of those offered for sale? What is the value on that book? Thanks, DEL

[Allan H.]

Allan, what about the book, those devils in baggy pants? Did you ever see one of those offered for sale? What is the value on that book? Thanks, DEL

A decent copy of the 504th unit history will probably run $300 to $350 and are VERY hard to find for sale. If this one is autographed by Ruben Tucker, add a hundred bucks to the pricetag.
Allan