Remembering ‘the end’: Collecting V-J Day

"Feel good” moments from any type of military hostilities are certainly few and far between. There aren’t many moments worth celebrating except the end.

For World War II collectors and history buffs, that “end” was Victory in Japan Day (VJ Day), which marked the culmination of the brutal war in the Pacific and gave Americans — and people around the world — a true cause for celebration.

The end of the WWII actually provided two famously photographic moments — August 15, 1945, when the initial announcement of Japan’s surrender was made, and Sept. 2, 1945, when officials from both sides boarded the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay and signed the official Japanese Instrument of Surrender.

Both events, of course, brought us some of the most memorable, iconic photographs of the war. Finding any actual items, or memorabilia associated with Japan’s surrender is a tough challenge, but the film images remain — and they are plentiful for collectors.

Perhaps the most memorable of all the V-J Day photos was the famous “Sailor Kissing the Nurse” in Times Square. The smooch was actually captured by two photographers, but Alfred Eisenstaedt’s glorious embrace shot was the most famous. It’s available on everything from small black-and-white prints up to large posters and canvas pieces — from as little as around 15 bucks, well up into the hundreds of dollars.

There are plenty of other great celebration images as well, from soldiers partying abroad, to mass gatherings in front of the White House. Collectors can find nice items like a 16 x 20-inch canvas print of D.C. celebrations for under $100 on sites like
www.greatbigcanvas.com.

Newspapers that trumpeted the surrender also make nice collectors items — both originals and reprints. Preserved examples from papers like the Los Angeles Times often sell for around $250, but remakes of great front pages from around the U.S. are not hard to find and can go for less than $20 on eBay.

And, of course, there were some stunning and iconic images from the signing ceremony. Different angles and moments from the somber occasion give collectors a lot of variety. Some of the best images show Gen. Douglas MacAurthur observing as Japanese dignitaries put pen to paper.

When it came to opportunities for memorable photographic moments, nothing in World War II could rival V-J Day.