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an old book sitting on top of a table next to a cup of coffeea black and white photo of a man standing on a boatthe blue ghost by edward stichen, first edition, first printing, first printing, first printing, first printing, first printing, first printing, first printinga book that has a picture of a man on itan open book with a picture of a man on a planean open book with a picture of a plane on the coveran open book with a picture of a man and a woman in front of an airplanea book open to a picture of a large group of people on a boattwo pages of a book with pictures of a group of peoplemany men sitting in a room together reading newspapersblack and white photo of a group of people in front of a planetwo men that are standing in front of a planean old photo of a man standing next to an airplanean open book with a black and white photo of a man standing next to an airplanea book with a picture of a group of men sitting on a trainan open book with a black and white photo of a planean open book with a picture of a plane on itan open book with black and white photos of a man on a boata book with a picture of a group of men in military uniformsan open book with a picture of a group of men standing around a plane
Maître Lydie BRIOULT

Historical book of the period: ‘The Blue Ghost’ – US Navy Th…
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Estimate €20 - €40
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Description
Historical book of the period: ‘The Blue Ghost’ – US Navy This book was written and documented by the renowned American photographer Edward Steichen (best known for his work in the American fashion world from the late 1940s onwards). As Director of the Naval Aviation Photographic Unit, he enjoyed a solid reputation for his professionalism. Together with his teams, he was able to board various American ships, notably aircraft carriers, in order to document the US Navy’s naval aviation operations. The particular vulnerability of aircraft carriers as prime targets for the enemy meant that no sailor or airman was permitted to take photographs on board – which explains the exceptional rarity of photographs taken on board, outside the scope of censorship and official press photographs. Steichen, for his part, enjoyed considerable freedom of action, and his photographs remain a benchmark. His documentary film, *The Fighter*, won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 1945. This book is devoted to one of the US Navy’s most famous aircraft carriers: the USS Lexington, nicknamed ‘the Blue Ghost’ ’ (CV-16, replacing the CV-2 of the same name which was lost during the Battle of Midway in June 1942) during its operational career from February 1943 onwards. The ship’s nickname stems from the fact that Japanese forces repeatedly claimed to have sunk it, only for it to reappear each time. This volume, published in 1947, is part of the first edition. It pays tribute to the US Navy aircrew on board, where Edward Steichen’s photographs capture a distinctive atmosphere blending a documentary quality with a clear artistic sensibility. In one of the photographs, one can see a Type 0 Japanese fighter identification chart on the walls; an original copy of this chart is included in this sale. Over 120 pages. Book in English. (Grégory Pons Collection)
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About the sale Sale of the Grégory Pons collection and miscellaneous items (Aviation and WW2 Militaria)
Auction location
Auction time 11/14/2026 at 1:30 PM
Lot description modified on 09/17/2026 at 9:05 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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