Colonel Francis S. Gabreski Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
COLONEL FRANCIS S. GABRESKI
Born: January 28, 1919 in Oil City, Pennsylvania
Died: January 31, 2002 in Huntington, New York
Died: January 31, 2002 in Huntington, New York
Francis S. "Gabby" Gabreski (1919-2002), ranks as the all-time top U.S. Army Air Force ace. He was one of only seven USAF pilots who was an ace in both WWII and the Korean War. Beginning his career flying sorties against the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, the Polish-speaking pilot started to fly Spitfires in January 1943 with the 315 (Polish) Squadron of the RAF. After a few weeks, Gabreski was assigned to Zemke's 56th Fighter Group, flying P-47 Thunderbolts without seeing any action until August 24, 1943, when he scored his first victory. From then on, he downed 28 enemy aircraft, leading all pilots in the European theatre. After 193 missions, the Air Force was ready to send him home but, shortly before boarding the plane, he discovered that a mission was set for that morning. On July 20, 1944, Gabreski crash-landed during a strafing sortie and hid out for five days. Although he persuaded a Polish-speaking forced laborer to bring food and water, Gabreski was captured and imprisoned in Stalag Luft I, a German POW camp for the remaining eight months of the war. He returned to military service in the Korean War and shot down six MIG 15s. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star, the Air Medal and awards from the French and Polish governments.
Style
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - AUTOGRAPH - HFSID 224209His signature on his personal letterhead as President of the Long Island Railroad. Signature: "Francis S. Gabreski", 7¼x10½. On his stationery as President of the Long Island Rail Road. Short printed biography affixed at bottom: "Gabreski, Francis. Francis S.…"
Sale Price $144.00
$160.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - AUTOGRAPH WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 224346Signatures of the Pearl Harbor soldiers who went on to become Air Force Aces during the war. Signatures: "Francis S. 'Gabby' Gabreski", "Mort D. Magoffin" and "Joseph T. McKeon", 1p, 8½x11. Headed: "Future Aces Who Were Serving At/Pearl Harbor/December 7th, 1941".
Sale Price $270.00
$300.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 264310He explains why the nose of his WWII P-47 went unpainted. Autograph Letter signed: "F. S. Gabreski", ¼ p, 8½x11. Written at bottom of an undated, typed letter from Lee Mar of Dix Hills, N.Y., asking what kind of nose art Gabreski used on his plane, and why.
Sale Price $270.00
$300.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 317486Handwritten letter from the air ace in two wars, supplying contact information for a symposium. Autograph Letter signed: "Francis Gabreski", 1 page, 5¼x8¾. No place, no date. To "Dear Ernest", in full: "This is General Johnson's address! Lt. Gen.…"
Sale Price $270.00
$300.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/16/1995 - HFSID 318469The USAF ace pilot pens a short letter to a friend, detailing prices for purchasable USAF memorabilia Autograph Letter Signed: "Gabby Gabreski", 1 page, 5x8. No place, August 16, 1995. On personal letterhead. To: "Dear Ernie," In full: "You are as busy as I am.…"
Sale Price $270.00
$300.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 284187Signed color photo, wearing his flight suit Photograph signed: "Gabby Gabreski". Color 8x10. Francis S. "Gabby" Gabreski (1919-2002) ranks as the all-time top U.S. Army Air Force ace. He was one of only seven USAF pilots who was an ace in both WWII and the Korean War.
Sale Price $342.00
$380.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 266576Signed color photo, shown in the open cockpit of his P-47, adorned with 28 swastikas for downed German planes Photograph signed: "Gabby Gabreski". Color, 8x10. On cardstock. Depicted in his P-47 Thunderbolt, which is adorned depictions of his Nazi "kills". Francis S.
Sale Price $450.00
$500.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - BOOK SIGNED WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 277316Four U.S. aviation heroes sign a book celebrating The Great Planes Book signed: "Col Scrappy Johnson/ ALTITUDE RECORD/ 91,246' 1958", "Fred J.…"
Sale Price $450.00
$500.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - COMMEMORATIVE ENVELOPE SIGNED - HFSID 171990He signs a commemorative envelope celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Commemorative Envelope signed: "Gabby Gabreski/Col USAF/Ret.", 6½x3½. Envelope bearing 29-cent stamp picturing the U.S. Congress captioned: "U.S.…"
Sale Price $216.00
$240.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - FIRST DAY COVER SIGNED - HFSID 182887The All-time ranking Air Force Ace signs a First Day Cover honoring Anne and Charles Lindbergh who are shown photographed together in front of an aircraft. First Day Cover signed: "Francis S. Gabreski"/Col USAF", 1p, 8½x11 overall, image 5x8 (one surface).…"
Sale Price $180.00
$200.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - PRINTED ART SIGNED IN INK WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 284139Signed limited edition 17x11 print of a P-47 Thunderbolt, also signed by artist Joe Milich. Double matted and framed with three photos to an overall size of 22x27 Printed Art signed in ink: "Gabby Gabreski".
Sale Price $1,020.00
$1,200.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 03/12/1956 - HFSID 172377He responds to a collector of autographs Typed letter signed: "F. S. Gabreski" as USAF Colonel, 1p, 8x10½. Headquarters, Ninth Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, 1956 March 12. To Eddie Sousa, Livermore, California.
Sale Price $252.00
$280.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 10/12/1979 - HFSID 224210He responds to an autograph collector as President of the Long Island Railroad. Typed Letter signed: "Francis S Gabreski", as President of the Long Island Railroad, 1p, 7¼x10½. On company letterhead. Jamaica Station, Jamaica, New York, 1979 October 12. To Nat B.
Sale Price $234.00
$260.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 11/10/1952 - HFSID 24170Flattered, he sends his thanks to a collector who requests his autograph. Typed letter signed: "F.S. Gabreski", 1p, 8x10. Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Washington, 1952 November 10.
Sale Price $252.00
$280.00
-
GENERAL BENJAMIN O. DAVIS JR. - FIRST DAY COVER SIGNED WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 24116Both sign this first day cover honoring aviation pioneer Octave Chanute First Day Cover signed: "Benjamin O. Davis, Jr./ Lt. Gen. U.S. Air Force (Ret'd)", in black ink and "Gabby Gabreski", in blue ink, 6½x3½.
Sale Price $216.00
$240.00