July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2022
Beautiful example of a World War I French made open collar US Army Air Service uniform jacket named in the pocket "Th E.P. Rice". Thomas Emerson Proctor Rice, who would later become a Sr. after his son was born and given the same name, was born in Boston, Massachusetts on December 7, 1894. Rice gained interest in aviation at an early age and attended courses on aviation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology during his young adult life. This passion led him to join the Army Air Service after America's entrance in World War I. Rice was commissioned as a Lieutenant and was sent overseas to Issoudun, France in 1917. His first assignment was as an instructor and he taught French and American flyers the art of combat aviation. Rice did not just instruct combat, but he participated in it as well. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre on February 11, 1918 for leading night bombing missions into Germany. After the war, Rice returned to the United States and settled in Meredith, New Hampshire where he owned and operated a flying service. His passion for aviation continued throughout the rest of his life until his passing in 1978. Rice's uniform is an attractive example of a WWI French made open collar jacket. The jacket features unmarked, pin-back US Air Service insignia on the collar with nice bullion lieutenant bars on each epaulette. The left shoulder features a multipiece Army Air Service patch constructed of thread applied to wool. The lower left sleeve features a gold bullion overseas chevron and a detached gold chevron was found in the lower left pocket. The wings make the uniform stand out, and are of French construction with thick feathered bullion wings and shield. Below the wings is a WWI Victory ribbon with 4 campaign stars. The uniform is complete with all of its original General Service Eagle buttons. Integral belt hooks on the reverse to accommodate a leather belt. The jacket is marked on the interior pocket "J. HOARE & Co." with London and French addresses, and reflects the high quality capability of French tailors. CONDITION: The jacket is excellent, only exhibiting light blemishes, including a few tiny moth nips and a small stain on the lower left sleeve. All insignia is firmly attached. Liner is intact with a few areas of loose stitching around the sleeves. Overall excellent. The uniform is accompanied by a few pages of research regarding Rice's service. A quality example of a rare World War I aviator uniform identified to an early bomber pilot. PROVENANCE: Roger Bender Collection. JLD
Item Dimensions: 15" X 15"