Wonderful 1930s - Early WWII Wings etc Grouping of WWII Brig General Paul E. Burrows

ARTIFACT: PLEASE NOTE: After many years of trying to gain access into one of the top 3 US Wing Collections in the country, we are pleased to announce that we finally are going to be listing pieces from this collection. A collection in the making of almost 30 years, there are many one-of-a-kind pieces in it that will be coming into the collecting market, as well as some of the "Best of Type" pieces. Many wonderful numismatic and biographical wings, uniforms, and groupings will be coming to market for the first time in years, some for the first time ever, over the coming months. This grouping is one of those offerings.

WWII USAAF General and USAF Colonel and career pilot Paul E. Burrows entered service just after WWI, showing up as a 2nd Lt. at Kelly Field in July of 1920.

This week's offering from the 25+ year collection we have just been allowed access - is a grouping which includes 3 fabulous biographical wings, and some wonderful accompanying insignia.

This small but important grouping of wings and accompanying insignia represents a snapshot of Colonel Paul Burrows' career probably circa 1935 to 1942. Starting with a stunning, oversize, "Deco" Bullion US Air Corps Pilot wing, and accompanying one-piece bullion winged props &US's, along with bullion Captain and Major insignia, all of the finest manufacture. Then we have Col. Burrow's even-more-stunning 1937 US Air Corps Senior Pilot (Then Officially Titled: Military Airplane Pilot) Wing with the newly approved star at top. Obviously embroidered by an extremely talented artist, who was able to nearly duplicate Col. Burrow's earlier wing, keeping the extreme "Deco" design, and size. The final wing in this ensemble is no slouch either, an early war example of the wing approved in 1940 for a US Air Corps Command Pilot. This example appears to have been cast, probably in the UK early on in WWII for the then Brigadier General Burrows while he was commanding the European Wing of the Air Transport Command.

Rounding out the grouping is a wonderful plaque from the 321st Observation Squadron dated 1939, presented to Major Paul E. Burrows, a couple of US Air Corps IDs, one a photo ID, a couple of 1930's metal US Air Corps Officer Collar insignia, and a Quiet Birdmen Tie Bar of Col. Burrows' form his post-USAF days in Palm Beach, Florida.

Overall, a wonderful biographical grouping, with 3 very unique US Air Corps / US Army Air Forces wings.

VINTAGE: Circa 1935 to 1942.

SIZE: Approximately: Bullion USAC Pilot Wing: 3-3/4" x 1-1/8"; Senior USAC Pilot Wing: 3-7/8" x 1-1/2"; USAC Command Pilot Wing: 3-1/8" x 1-1/4"; Bullion Props: 2" x 1-7/8"; Plaque: 3-1/4" x 1-3/4"; the rest of the grouping artifacts are of varying sizes.

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: Bullion embroidered olive drab twill, cotton, gauze, plated brass, celluloid, steel, paper, ink, cotton thread, and gilt brass

ATTACHMENT: USAC Command Pilot Wing: Horizontal pin with drop in locking catch; Metal prop insignia: double posts, missing clutchbacks; ID badge: Horizontal pin with drop in locking catches and slide tension clip; QB Tie Pin: Alligator clip.

MARKINGS: ID: "METAL ARTS CO. ROCH., N.Y." and "AE CO. UTICA N.Y."; Winged prop: "MEYER METAL" and maker's mark; "ACID TEST" on the other; QB Tie Pin: "ROBBINS CO. ATTLEBORO"

ITEM NOTES: This is from a large, advanced Aviation Wing, Badge, and Insignia Collection that we will be listing more of in the coming months. CON-RLB-16 LBHGEX7/16 SBDGJX03/01/23

CONDITION: 9- (Overall - Excellent+): The grouping shows minor to moderate wear, the bullion embroidered wings, props, and insignia were removed from clothing, are in remarkable condition with a handsome patina, the USAC Command Wing shows moderate wear and much of the plating details remain intact, the remaining pieces are overall excellent condition.