Extensive WWII Collection Offered at Worldwide’s Inaugural Americana Festival Auction

Auburn, Indiana - Worldwide Auctioneers is gearing up for a historic sale of an extensive collection of World War II artifacts, uniforms, militaria, and memorabilia at its inaugural Americana Festival & Auction this summer. Over 1,500 lots will be offered without reserve, all available via live and online bidding from June 12 – 13 in Auburn, Indiana. Proceeds will benefit the J. Kruse Education Center, a dedicated 501(c) 3 organization providing career pathway development to both veterans and students.

Among the many significant military offerings slated to go under the hammer is a Dodge WC57 Command Car, assigned to the 3 army motor pool during WWII and purpose-built for General Patton and his command, as well as three outstanding vintage airplanes from the Hoosier Air Museum. They will sell together with an extraordinary selection of militaria from the collection of the former National Military History Center. “This is one of the largest collections of authentic WWII artifacts ever offered in one place, an absolute one-of-a-kind opportunity for the enthusiast or serious collector,” said John Kruse, Principal and Auctioneer. “Where else will you find General Patton’s command car selling alongside three vintage airplanes, all at no reserve? Taking inventory of this very special selection of militaria during our current crisis has also served as a fitting reminder to me that we have triumphed over enormous adversity before, and we will again.”

Forerunner of the famed post-war Dodge Power Wagon, the celebrated Dodge WC57 command car was a purpose-built military vehicle, produced from 1942 to 1945, with off-road capability and 4x4 drivetrain. This particular command car was a part of the 3rd Army headquarters’ motor pool, specially modified for General George Patton with armor plating and high-volume horns and siren. Armed with a Browning .30 caliber machine gun, it includes ‘three-star general' and '3rd Army HQ' pennants and is powered by Dodge's durable 230 cid, inline six-cylinder engine. “This iconic vehicle is obviously not only very historically significant, it’s also eminently usable, even today, and would be a wonderful asset for parades, reenactments and period display,” said John Kruse. Learn more about General Patton’s Dodge WC57 command car here.

The three vintage aircraft and warbirds offered for sale at no reserve include a 1946 Piper J-3 Cub, used during World War II as the L-4 Grasshopper for reconnaissance, presented in an iconic paint scheme known as “Lock Haven Yellow”. Designed and first produced during the Golden Age of Aviation, from 1918 to 1939, the Piper Cub was used as a trainer for thousands of civilian pilots since its introduction in 1937. Nicknamed the ‘Bamboo Bomber’ for its wooden wings and tail section, the 1944 Cessna UC-78 selling alongside it was used to train bomber pilots during World War II, and for military light transport, liaison and communications. Also on offer is a singular 1935 Speedbird, a one-off experimental aircraft with a two-seat, side-by-side arrangement.

The Americana Festival Auction is scheduled to run as a live and online four-day event from June 11th– 14th at Worldwide’s Auburn, Indiana headquarters. The safety and well-being of clients, team and wider community is paramount and the venue will incorporate all safe social distancing and sanitation protocols. All inventory can be viewed online at worldwideauctioneers.com, with live and online bidding available across three platforms. As always, our auction previews are available for private viewing, again with safe social distancing protocols. Memorabilia consignors are still invited and interested parties should contact DT Drysdale, Worldwide’s Specialist & Memorabilia Manager at dt@worldwideauctioneers.com, or call 260.925.6789.

Learn more about the mission and work of the J. Kruse Education Center here.

About Worldwide Auctioneers. Worldwide Auctioneers is a U.S. based, boutique catalogue auction company that is unique in having principals who are owner auctioneers, wholly invested in seamlessly delivering the optimal result for every client. In addition to the acquisition and sale of classic automobiles at auction, it offers an extensive range of personalized services to the serious collector, including appraisal, collection direction and consultancy, estate planning and asset management. For those seeking to sell a car or collection privately, the company’s private sales division incorporates The Salon, a 200,000 square foot, climate controlled and purpose-built showroom housed at its Auburn headquarters, along with a dedicated memorabilia division. Worldwide’s annual schedule includes The Scottsdale Auction in January, The Pacific Grove Auction on the Monterey Peninsula in August (postponed until 2021 in response to COVID-19 restrictions), The Auburn Auction, held over Labor Day Weekend in Indiana, and stand-alone auctions of significant private collections.