{"title":"D-Day: The Beckham Collection","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"381\" data-end=\"454\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"381\" data-end=\"454\"\u003eThe Beckham Collection: A Legendary Archive of D-Day and World War II\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"456\" data-end=\"924\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"456\" data-end=\"482\"\u003eThe Beckham Collection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis an extraordinary archive of D-Day artifacts meticulously preserved by Lt. Commander William Beckham Jr., who led the USS YMS-381 minesweeper during the pivotal first hours of the Normandy invasion. Brought to market by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"705\" data-end=\"735\"\u003eBayliss Rare Books in 2024\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, this remarkable collection includes some of the most significant pieces of military history ever to surface, with a large portion of it already sold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"926\" data-end=\"1618\" class=\"\"\u003eAmong the collection’s highlights is the original, battle-worn\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"989\" data-end=\"1010\"\u003e48-star U.S. flag\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eflown on D-Day aboard YMS-381. Only a select few flags from D-Day operations have surfaced, and this particular flag is unmatched. It comes with customs documentation tracing its origin directly to the Normandy beaches, where Beckham sent it from in September 1944. Unique among D-Day flags, it is the sole flag known from a minesweeper vessel; it is the earliest flag from D-Day to ever surface and the only one with verifiable evidence supporting its being flown on D-Day, making it an unparalleled piece of military history. The flag is also in exemplary condition, certainly the finest to have surfaced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1620\" data-end=\"2298\" class=\"\"\u003eEqually significant are the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1648\" data-end=\"1680\"\u003eTOP SECRET \"BIGOT\" documents\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eissued to Beckham. These materials, personalized with Beckham’s annotations and mission orders for minesweeping along Utah Beach, were intended for immediate destruction after the mission under the Official Secrets Act. Remarkably, Beckham defied this protocol, preserving this priceless documentation. These include\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1998\" data-end=\"2028\"\u003eD-Day Operation Order 3-44\u003c\/strong\u003e, a complete set of strategic documents covering the invasion in intricate detail, from minesweeper routes to landing schedules. It is the only known surviving set that was used in action and is often referred to as the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"2248\" data-end=\"2261\"\u003eD-Day bible\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e— one of the rarest items from WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"d-day-flag-1940s-one-of-the-first-flags-flown-during-operation-neptune-and-the-earliest-known-flag-from-d-day-to-ever-surface-for-sale","title":"Original D-Day Flag | 1940s, one of the first flags flown during Operation Neptune and the earliest known flag from D-Day to ever surface for sale.","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAs seen in The Telegraph\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn original, battle -scarred, 48 -star US flag from the minesweeper USS YMS -381, one of the first boats to start Operation Neptune. This flag is one of the rarest items from D -Day to ever surface. As the earliest flag from D -Day, it would have been one of the very first the Germans saw on that momentous day, signalling the impending invasion. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUniquely, this flag comes with provenance that directly links it back to the Normandy Beaches, supported by a customs slip and an address label to New York City. What makes this flag even more extraordinary is its completeness - many D -Day flags have been found in tatters, yet this one remains intact, representing the start of D -Day in its entirety. No flag earlier in the mission is likely to surface, making this one of the most historic flags to emerge from this pivotal moment in history and the earliest flag from D-Day a collector could have.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore than just a symbol, this flag embodies the courage and sacrifice of the D-Day mission - an irreplaceable artifact of history\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"645\" data-start=\"163\"\u003eFlown on USS-YMS-381, one of the first vessels to enter the assault channels at Utah Beach on D-Day, this battle-worn, 48-star U.S. flag is a rare and significant piece of military history. Its provenance sets it apart: it is the earliest known American flag from D-Day to ever surface, and uniquely, it is the only flag flown from a minesweeper vessel to ever surface for sale. This makes it an artifact unlike any other, with historical weight far beyond its fabric.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1205\" data-start=\"647\"\u003eThe flag comes with customs documentation that traces its origin directly to the Normandy beaches, where Captain William Beckham sent it home in September 1944. This direct link to the events of June 6, 1944—when the flag was among the first to be seen by German forces—is confirmed through careful research and verification. As one of the first flags to fly on the French coast during the D-Day landings, it was part of the early waves of vessels involved in Operation Neptune, the maritime portion of the broader Operation Overlord.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1761\" data-start=\"1207\"\u003eIn addition to its extraordinary provenance, this flag is in remarkable condition for its age and use. With metal grommets and a 30-inch masthead, the flag bears the faintly visible stamp “US Ensign,” further confirming its military authenticity. It was mailed back to a recipient in Tarrytown, NY, in September 1944, accompanied by its original signed U.S. Customs Declaration slip and address label—all of which have been preserved, offering a rare glimpse into the personal and official documentation tied to this artifact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2241\" data-start=\"1763\"\u003eThis flag is the only known flag to surface from D-Day to have verifiable evidence supporting its direct use during the D-Day landings, making it a truly unique piece. As such, it carries a rare combination of historical importance, authenticity, and condition. Offered for £350,000, it is a remarkable opportunity to acquire one of the most significant flags to have ever flown on the Normandy beaches, a lasting symbol of courage and strategy at the heart of D-Day.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Beckham Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54950840729977,"sku":"","price":350000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0607\/3119\/5647\/files\/Flagfull_f203902b-71e1-4034-b424-3cb53cdfde7e.jpg?v=1758120114"},{"product_id":"d-day-operation-neptune-military-intelligence-on1-appendix-vii-annexes-c-d-1944-top-secret-operation-neptune-intelligence-files-with-large-scale-utah-beach-defence-chart","title":"[D-DAY \/ OPERATION NEPTUNE \/ MILITARY INTELLIGENCE] ON1 Appendix VII: Annexes C \u0026 D | 1944, Top Secret Operation Neptune Intelligence Files with Large-Scale Utah Beach Defence Chart — used aboard USS YMS-381 on D-Day","description":"\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"746\" data-start=\"411\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFolio (330 x 210 mm), hardbound in original plain boards with cloth spine. Marked Top Secret. Copy No. 1775.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"524\" data-start=\"521\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e46pp typescript (Annexe C), with additional annexed material (Annexe D), and complete with the large folding map ON1, Appendix VII, Annexe C, Chart No. 2613: “Coastline and Range of German Batteries, Utah Beach North.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1214\" data-start=\"748\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"887\" data-start=\"748\"\u003eAn extraordinary survival and one of the most important wartime intelligence documents relating to the American landings on Utah Beach.\u003c\/strong\u003e This original hardbound volume — not a file copy — was \u003cem data-end=\"1008\" data-start=\"943\"\u003ein operational use aboard USS YMS-381 during the D-Day landings\u003c\/em\u003e, a minesweeper operating in advance of the main American assault. It includes both Annexes C and D of the ON1 Appendix VII series, produced for Operation Neptune, the naval component of Operation Overlord.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1613\" data-start=\"1216\"\u003eThe accompanying large-scale defence chart (Chart 2613) presents a highly detailed overview of German coastal artillery positions, ranges, and arcs of fire — intelligence that was critical to the Allied landings on June 6, 1944. The annexes incorporate data from aerial reconnaissance, intercepted communications, and resistance networks, compiled for strategic use by senior Allied naval command.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1974\" data-start=\"1615\"\u003eSurviving examples of this document are extraordinarily scarce, and almost never found complete with the original Utah Beach map. Most copies were either destroyed after the war or remain in classified institutional archives. This example comes from \u003cem data-end=\"1889\" data-start=\"1865\"\u003eThe Beckham Collection\u003c\/em\u003e, the most significant private D-Day archive to have come to market in recent memory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"2177\" data-start=\"1976\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1991\" data-start=\"1976\"\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e From The Beckham Collection (featured in \u003cem data-end=\"2048\" data-start=\"2033\"\u003eThe Telegraph\u003c\/em\u003e). This document was aboard \u003cem data-end=\"2150\" data-start=\"2137\"\u003eUSS YMS-381\u003c\/em\u003e during the D-Day invasion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"2318\" data-start=\"2179\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2193\" data-start=\"2179\"\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent. Internally clean and complete. Map expertly folded and uncreased. Binding sound with minor wear to extremities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"2452\" data-start=\"2320\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2452\" data-start=\"2320\"\u003eAn unprecedented offering — rare in any form, and virtually unseen with wartime provenance, in-use status, and complete mapping.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Beckham Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55097655099769,"sku":"","price":10800.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0607\/3119\/5647\/files\/anexxe_c_map.jpg?v=1744036646"},{"product_id":"d-day-operation-neptune-top-secret-intelligence-top-secret-coastal-recognition-manuals-1944-with-original-photographic-silhouettes-and-navigational-templates-used-aboard-uss-yms-381-on-d-day","title":"[D-DAY \/ OPERATION NEPTUNE \/ TOP SECRET INTELLIGENCE] Top Secret Coastal Recognition Manuals | 1944, with Original Photographic Silhouettes and Navigational Templates — used aboard USS YMS-381 on D-Day","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"144\" data-end=\"384\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"144\" data-end=\"183\"\u003eBooklets H \u0026amp; M: France, North Coast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"183\" data-end=\"186\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"327\"\u003eTop Secret Coastal Recognition Manuals with Original Photographic Silhouettes and Navigational Templates — used aboard USS YMS-381 on D-Day\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"327\" data-end=\"330\"\u003e[London: Admiralty \/ Allied Naval Intelligence, 1944.]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"386\" data-end=\"910\" class=\"\"\u003eTwo volumes, folio (330 x 210 mm), hardbound in original plain boards with cloth spines. Marked \u003cem data-start=\"482\" data-end=\"494\"\u003eRestricted\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr data-start=\"495\" data-end=\"498\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"498\" data-end=\"512\"\u003eBooklet H:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5pp, with a continuous photographic silhouette of the coastline from Grandcamp-les-Bains westward, assembled from mounted prints.\u003cbr data-start=\"642\" data-end=\"645\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"645\" data-end=\"659\"\u003eBooklet M:\u003c\/strong\u003e 27pp, covering the coastline from La Madeleine to Hameau du Nord, with similarly mounted continuous photographic panoramas.\u003cbr data-start=\"783\" data-end=\"786\"\u003eEach volume complete with printed instruction sheet and original clear acetate targeting template housed in the rear pocket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"912\" data-end=\"1301\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"912\" data-end=\"1060\"\u003eA rare and significant pair of D-Day coastal recognition manuals, used aboard USS YMS-381 during the Allied landings on Utah Beach, 6 June 1944.\u003c\/strong\u003e These top-secret booklets were part of the pre-invasion material issued to naval command and assault units, providing panoramic photographic references of the French coastline to aid in accurate identification of landing sectors under fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1303\" data-end=\"1644\" class=\"\"\u003eProduced by Allied Naval Intelligence, the manuals were designed to be used from the sea, with features annotated and silhouetted for easy comparison during operations. These were essential tools in the coordination of amphibious landings and naval bombardments, enabling forces to pinpoint beachheads and artillery positions with precision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1646\" data-end=\"1821\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1646\" data-end=\"1659\"\u003eBooklet H\u003c\/strong\u003e covers the western sector near Grandcamp-les-Bains; \u003cstrong data-start=\"1712\" data-end=\"1725\"\u003eBooklet M\u003c\/strong\u003e includes the strategic coastline surrounding Utah Beach, one of the two American landing zones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1823\" data-end=\"2087\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1823\" data-end=\"1838\"\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e From \u003cem data-start=\"1844\" data-end=\"1868\"\u003eThe Beckham Collection\u003c\/em\u003e, the most important privately held D-Day archive to reach the market in recent years. Both volumes were carried aboard \u003cem data-start=\"1988\" data-end=\"2001\"\u003eUSS YMS-381\u003c\/em\u003e, a U.S. Navy minesweeper that operated in advance of the main assault force on D-Day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2089\" data-end=\"2346\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2089\" data-end=\"2103\"\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Both volumes in excellent original condition. Photographic panoramas clean, complete, and precisely assembled. Instruction sheets and acetate targeting templates present and well preserved. Bindings sound, with only minor wear to extremities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2348\" data-end=\"2475\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2348\" data-end=\"2475\"\u003eAn exceptional operational pair — used on the day of the invasion, with full wartime provenance and rare complete survival.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Beckham Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55097703858553,"sku":"","price":4000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0607\/3119\/5647\/files\/Coastal_Recognition_1.jpg?v=1744037125"},{"product_id":"d-day-operation-orders-no-3-44-no-1-44-1944-no-complete-copy-of-both-exists-in-any-institution-or-private-collection-both-were-in-use-on-d-day-aboard-uss-yms-381","title":"D-Day Operation Orders: No. 3-44 \u0026 No. 1-44 | 1944,  the D-Day Bible - no complete copy of both exists in any institution or private collection. Both were in use on D-Day aboard USS YMS-381.","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"755\" data-end=\"911\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"755\" data-end=\"911\"\u003eA unique and unparalleled pair of strategic documents — key to the success of the D-Day landings and among the rarest surviving items from World War II. Both are from The famous Beckham Collection (learn more about the Collection at the bottom)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"212\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"34\"\u003eD-Day Operation Order No. 3-44\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"39\" data-end=\"67\"\u003eOperation Order No. 1-44\u003c\/strong\u003e are two of the most important and rare documents from the Normandy invasion, providing detailed strategic plans for the D-Day landings in 1944.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"214\" data-end=\"1347\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"214\" data-end=\"931\" class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"216\" data-end=\"931\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"216\" data-end=\"244\"\u003eOperation Order No. 3-44\u003c\/strong\u003e is a complete set of strategic documents, including maps, overlays, and detailed information about the Utah Beach assault. It outlines minesweeper routes, landing schedules, and communication protocols essential for the success of the landings. This document is incredibly rare, as it is one of the \u003cstrong data-start=\"544\" data-end=\"567\"\u003eonly surviving sets\u003c\/strong\u003e that was actually used in action during D-Day, with only a handful of copies distributed. Its maps — particularly a rare, surviving copy of a minesweeping plan — make this set uniquely significant. Additionally, \u003cstrong data-start=\"780\" data-end=\"817\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eBeckham’s handwritten annotations\u003c\/strong\u003e to the mission add a personal and historical layer, directly linking this document to the events of June 6, 1944.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"933\" data-end=\"1347\" class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"935\" data-end=\"1347\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"935\" data-end=\"963\"\u003eOperation Order No. 1-44\u003c\/strong\u003e focuses on the assault phase of the invasion, detailing the organization of U.S. naval forces, mine-clearing operations, and communication plans for the invasion. It is one of only \u003cstrong data-start=\"1145\" data-end=\"1158\"\u003e33 copies\u003c\/strong\u003e known to exist, making it a rare piece of military history. The inclusion of a mine sweeping plan and additional strategic details highlights its importance for the success of the landing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1349\" data-end=\"1818\" class=\"\"\u003eBoth orders are rare for several reasons: they were \u003cstrong data-start=\"1401\" data-end=\"1439\"\u003eintended for destruction after use\u003c\/strong\u003e, meaning most copies were lost or discarded; they were highly classified, limiting their distribution; and, unlike many wartime documents, these have survived intact and with all original materials. The \u003cstrong data-start=\"1643\" data-end=\"1665\"\u003eBeckham Collection\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the few to include these documents in such well-preserved condition, making them among the most significant and sought-after items from D-Day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"913\" data-end=\"1583\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"913\" data-end=\"941\"\u003eOperation Order No. 3-44\u003c\/strong\u003e is the complete set of strategic documents issued for the Utah Beach assault during D-Day, and it represents the most comprehensive planning document for the landings. This order provides intricate detail on the invasion, from minesweeper routes and landing schedules to tactical approaches and communication protocols. It is often referred to as the \u003cem data-start=\"1293\" data-end=\"1306\"\u003eD-Day Bible\u003c\/em\u003e, as it is one of the only surviving sets that was used in the actual operation. This is the \u003cem data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1424\"\u003eonly known complete set\u003c\/em\u003e still in existence to have been used on the day of the invasion. A true masterpiece of wartime planning, and one of the rarest surviving documents from WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1585\" data-end=\"1943\" class=\"\"\u003eThe inclusion of the original maps — essential for coordinating the naval and minesweeping operations — makes this set particularly unique. It is believed that at least one of these maps, despite being disintegrated, is the \u003cem data-start=\"1809\" data-end=\"1843\"\u003eonly surviving copy in the world\u003c\/em\u003e. To our knowledge, \u003cstrong data-start=\"1863\" data-end=\"1942\"\u003eno complete copy of these maps exists in any institution or private collection\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is the only one of its kind\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1945\" data-end=\"2272\" class=\"\"\u003eFurthermore, \u003cstrong data-start=\"1958\" data-end=\"1986\"\u003eOperation Order No. 3-44\u003c\/strong\u003e features \u003cstrong data-start=\"1996\" data-end=\"2048\"\u003eBeckham's handwritten annotations to the mission\u003c\/strong\u003e, offering an added layer of personal historical insight that directly connects the document to the mission at hand. This makes the set even more significant and directly linked to the planning and execution of the invasion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2274\" data-end=\"2699\" class=\"\"\u003eComparatively, the last Operation PLAN (which was a printed, non-mimeographed version) sold at auction in the U.S. for $28,000 in 2018, with no maps or overlays included. The present copy of \u003cstrong data-start=\"2465\" data-end=\"2493\"\u003eOperation Order No. 3-44\u003c\/strong\u003e far surpasses this, both in rarity and historical significance. The addition of the mine sweeping plan, overlays, and detailed invasion maps further elevates this document as a vital piece of WWII history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2701\" data-end=\"2704\" class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2706\" data-end=\"3178\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2706\" data-end=\"2734\"\u003eOperation Order No. 1-44\u003c\/strong\u003e focuses on the assault phase of the operation, detailing the Task Organization of the U.S. naval forces assigned to sweep and clear Utah Beach. It also provides critical instructions for mine clearing and communication plans — essential elements for ensuring a successful landing. With only 33 known surviving copies, this document remains highly rare and provides an additional layer of crucial operational intelligence for the D-Day assault.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3180\" data-end=\"3681\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3180\" data-end=\"3195\"\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Both orders are from \u003cem data-start=\"3217\" data-end=\"3241\"\u003eThe Beckham Collection\u003c\/em\u003e, one of the most important private archives of D-Day and World War II materials. The collection provides an intimate look at the military planning efforts that guided the success of the Normandy invasion, offering rare insights into the operational details that were so critical on June 6, 1944. These documents were \u003cstrong data-start=\"3559\" data-end=\"3597\"\u003ein use on D-Day aboard USS YMS-381\u003c\/strong\u003e, making them an exceptional and direct link to the pivotal moments of the invasion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3683\" data-end=\"3699\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3683\" data-end=\"3697\"\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"3700\" data-end=\"4148\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"3700\" data-end=\"3964\" class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3702\" data-end=\"3964\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3702\" data-end=\"3730\"\u003eOperation Order No. 3-44\u003c\/strong\u003e: Excellent. Complete with all maps, overlays, and inserts. Bound with a simple brown shoe lace as per wartime practice. Minor wear to the binding, but internally clean and well-preserved. Handwritten annotations by Beckham present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"3965\" data-end=\"4148\" class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3967\" data-end=\"4148\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3967\" data-end=\"3995\"\u003eOperation Order No. 1-44\u003c\/strong\u003e: Very good. Mimeographed text is clear, with all annexes and maps intact. Binding is intact with minimal wear, typical of wartime operational documents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4150\" data-end=\"4509\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4150\" data-end=\"4509\"\u003eA once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of the most important and rare D-Day documents still in private hands. These D-Day operational orders — with detailed maps and overlays, along with personal annotations by Beckham — represent a critical piece of history and is an essential addition to any WWII or military history collection.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"381\" data-end=\"454\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"381\" data-end=\"454\"\u003eThe Beckham Collection: A Legendary Archive of D-Day and World War II\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"456\" data-end=\"924\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"456\" data-end=\"482\"\u003eThe Beckham Collection\u003c\/strong\u003e is an extraordinary archive of D-Day artifacts meticulously preserved by Lt. Commander William Beckham Jr., who led the USS YMS-381 minesweeper during the pivotal first hours of the Normandy invasion. Brought to market by \u003cstrong data-start=\"705\" data-end=\"735\"\u003eBayliss Rare Books in 2024\u003c\/strong\u003e to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, this remarkable collection includes some of the most significant pieces of military history ever to surface, with a large portion of it already sold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"926\" data-end=\"1618\" class=\"\"\u003eAmong the collection’s highlights is the original, battle-worn \u003cstrong data-start=\"989\" data-end=\"1010\"\u003e48-star U.S. flag\u003c\/strong\u003e flown on D-Day aboard YMS-381. Only a select few flags from D-Day operations have surfaced, and this particular flag is unmatched. It comes with customs documentation tracing its origin directly to the Normandy beaches, where Beckham sent it from in September 1944. Unique among D-Day flags, it is the sole flag known from a minesweeper vessel; it is the earliest flag from D-Day to ever surface and the only one with verifiable evidence supporting its being flown on D-Day, making it an unparalleled piece of military history. The flag is also in exemplary condition, certainly the finest to have surfaced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1620\" data-end=\"2298\" class=\"\"\u003eEqually significant are the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1648\" data-end=\"1680\"\u003eTOP SECRET \"BIGOT\" documents\u003c\/strong\u003e issued to Beckham. These materials, personalized with Beckham’s annotations and mission orders for minesweeping along Utah Beach, were intended for immediate destruction after the mission under the Official Secrets Act. Remarkably, Beckham defied this protocol, preserving this priceless documentation. These include \u003cstrong data-start=\"1998\" data-end=\"2028\"\u003eD-Day Operation Order 3-44\u003c\/strong\u003e, a complete set of strategic documents covering the invasion in intricate detail, from minesweeper routes to landing schedules. It is the only known surviving set that was used in action and is often referred to as the \u003cem data-start=\"2248\" data-end=\"2261\"\u003eD-Day bible\u003c\/em\u003e — one of the rarest items from WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Beckham Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55097754780025,"sku":"","price":36000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0607\/3119\/5647\/files\/DDAYOperationOrder1_14ba527c-01e8-4a25-88cc-dd0c7eade03b.jpg?v=1744037995"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0607\/3119\/5647\/collections\/Full5_ecd5c971-be5e-4742-9bee-b6daa4cf749c.jpg?v=1782288459","url":"https:\/\/www.baylissbooks.co.uk\/collections\/d-day-the-beckham-collection.oembed","provider":"Bayliss Rare Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}